Westin Max Winch Mount/Bumper

Hey All!

Looking for some advice and feedback. I want to mount a winch on my truck. I don't do any type of hard core 4wheelin', just need the winch to get me out of the mud or loose rocks when I'm out hunting and for skinning big game. I am not really interested in going with a full plate or tube bumper so I found a couple of solutions that I need some feedback on. I'm using a Warn XD9000i winch so I think my options might be limited.

1. I originally intended to install a CBI front receiver mount and use it for the winch, that way if I got really screwed up I could move the winch to the front or the back of the truck. I wouldn't have the winch on the truck except for when I'm on my hunting trips. I'm curious if anyone else has this setup and if so, how durable is this setup? How well does it hold up to bouncing on dirt roads and trails and such? Does it winch wobble much when it's installed into the receiver?

http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/products/2nd-gen-toyota-tacoma-products/high-clearance-front-receiver-hitch

2. A buddy of mine showed me the Westin Max mount. It's not really a bumper but more of a winch mount that bolts to the truck using existing holes. I lose the ability to move it to the rear but I figure if I need to winch myself backwards, I can just pull out a few snatch blocks and straps. I'm curious if anyone has this setup and if so, how far does this stick out from the front of the truck?

http://westinautomotive.com/westin/viewproduct.jsp?prod=MAX+Winch+Mounting+System&id=45&vehicleId=42402&year=2006&make=TOYOTA&model=Tacoma&submodel=Base&cabstyle=Crew_Cab&guid=cc10e5bc-6921-3c8f-b87f-32016cd28783

Thoughts on either setup? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

Well the Westin doesn't show a Taco part #

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/330192-hidden-winch-mount-closeout.html

Do you usually go with somebody? or alone?

I'm not usually a fan of receiver mount winches due to approach/departure angle killers and HEAVY/Cumbersome to handle/move/install. Plus a bunch of copper in the wires run to the rear.

I can't visualize any way to actually pull backwards from a front mount winch except running under/over the truck.

 

I confirmed that Westin does have one that fits the Taco. You had me worried there for a min! hehehe

http://westinautomotive.com/westin/viewproduct.jsp?prod=MAX+Winch+Mounting+System&id=45&vehicleId=&year=2006&make=TOYOTA&model=Tacoma&submodel=&cabstyle=&guid=151512d8-11b9-0b5a-480b-5c55a34bc629

I'm usually with someone when I'm out hunting, rarely do I go out alone, unless I am out moving to a different area.

Here is a video on how to winch yourself backwards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0j_9mRB5g8

 

If you choose to go with the front/rear class 3 hitch system, I have a cradle mount that is just gathering dust.

 

Thanks much. I actually have two cradles that I will most likely be selling along with the front recover mount.