Curious about the "stealth winch" on my '66

[ared77]

I'm just wondering if some of you who have been around here a long time, and might remember when Tony Ramos built my '66, if he was the first to do that. He used to be a regular on here and went by "xcntric" I think. Anyway were you on here when he was documenting his build and do you think he was the first to hide a winch behind a stock front bumper? I'm just curious as I have told people over the years that he was the first to do it.

Norm

 

[toddz69]

That would probably be a real hard thing to claim as being the "first", because of so many folks doing mods to their trucks over the years, particularly in the dark ages before the Internet when a lot of folks did mods that people weren't aware of.

Todd Z.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I'll say no. There were stealth winch installed back in the 70s.

Besides being super clean and not standing out, it is also a lot more work. I've done some modern truck winch installs and the just hang it off the front is easy to do, quick, shows off the new toy. The stealth install is way more labor. And when done there isn't anything to see. The work needed to actually package the winch into a tight area can be impressive. I know I had hours into just staring at it and the thought of "if I turned it this way", "how much clearance do I have there", "how would I make the clutch release work", "what are my attachment points"? Sure, it is a lot easier when a kit exists. But that isn't always an option.

 

[ared77]

^^Good points, both^^

"particularly in the dark ages before the Internet"

Like I said I was just curious, I'll have to stop telling people that at Cars & Coffee, etc!

 

[fordfan]

The old classic Sidewinder winch was always installed behind the bumper which I thought was cool back in the day. It was usually just the hook that was visible.

 

[NGABronco]

Like I said I was just curious, I'll have to stop telling people that at Cars & Coffee, etc!

Hey ared, tell those folks anything you want...they'll never know the difference!!!

 

[ared77]

Yeah, you're probably right...especially the ones who start with "I love your J**P"!

 

[kman67]

Do you have any pics of your bumper/winch? What winch is it? I always thought it would be cool to make. My prerunner style sticks out pretty far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ared77]

Only pics I can find right now are these, I know there is no detail. Maybe tomorrow I can get better pics.

He used a Smittybilt XRC 9.5 synthetic rope winch w in-cab operation, as well as a separate remote stored in box under hood that can be plugged up to a connector on top of radiator support. In case you want to be standing in front/side to see what you're pulling it over.

 

[gnpenning]

I'm pretty sure he had a build thread. I think you are close in user name.

 

[1969]

How low does it hang down?

 

[ared77]

gnpenning, I found this on youtube where he went by xcntrk 75

Wow, also found this that I'd forgotten about -

Power Profile: Broncos Heated Norm Bush’s Ford Fever

From Mustangs to Broncos, many Blue Oval fans would give their eyeteeth for just one of the Fords that have passed through Kentuckian Norm Bush’s hands.

www.fordmuscle.com

 

[ared77]

Here is a link to his build of the stealth winch -
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263546&highlight=xcntrk
Norm

 

[ared77]

Early pics of the build are missing unfortunately. On page three you can see some pics that I took later after I bought it from Tony in 2016 (I think)

 

[gnpenning]

Here is a link to his build of the stealth winch -
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263546&highlight=xcntrk
Norm

Nice find.

One of many reasons I hate Photobucket. Wonder if they are proud of how many things they ruined.

 

[gnsteam]

I had this build link saved for future build purpose. Unfortunately the photos went away a few years ago. With this being the case. I decided to pony up the case and by the James Duff/ Lick Creek hidden wench kit for my build. Yet to be installed.

 

[1969]

Here is a link to his build of the stealth winch -
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263546&highlight=xcntrk
Norm

This thread was started in 2016, and there is a post about Twisted Custom's Bronco being done in 2010 with the stealth winch setup. So definitely not the first even according to your own information.

Post in thread 'Stock bumper with hidden winch (details/pics)'
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/t...hidden-winch-details-pics.263546/post-2811080

Post in thread 'Stock bumper with hidden winch (details/pics)'
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/t...hidden-winch-details-pics.263546/post-2811112