Fab for grill guard winch? PIX

I have a 2010 Silverado 1500. I'm looking to add a winch to the front. The grill on the front has 2 mounts taht attach to the frame with 2 bolts on each side (see pics). The rail seems to be made of 1/4 inch steel that I dont think is strong enough.

I called someone to fabricate a plate for the front and he wants to attach a plate to the 2 mounts with 6 bolts (3 on each post). Im concerned that these posts will not be strong enough and will bend under stress. What do you think?

picscant seem to get the pics posted

Personally, I wouldn't tie it directly to the brush guard assembly. I'd get a front receiver hitch and put the winch on a removable plate. Another option is to rebuild the brush guard completely to come off a hitch assembly (much stronger IMHO).

The pictures show a side bolt and possibly a bottom bolt holding the guard to the frame. I wouldn't rely on those bolts alone for a winch due to how it's been constructed. The strength you get from the angle iron is lost with it being cut to fit around the frame and at the brush guard mounting location.

2010 Chevrolet Silverado Front Mount Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com is just one location to get a hitch (amazon was cheaper when I put one on my DD). I also checked Bodiak, but they don't have one for the 1500 series. The front hitch should interface well with the truck based on the mounting options I'm seeing. You'll also gain additional mounting options for future accessories.

Good luck.

blybrook said:

Personally, I wouldn't tie it directly to the brush guard assembly. I'd get a front receiver hitch and put the winch on a removable plate. Another option is to rebuild the brush guard completely to come off a hitch assembly (much stronger IMHO).

The pictures show a side bolt and possibly a bottom bolt holding the guard to the frame. I wouldn't rely on those bolts alone for a winch due to how it's been constructed. The strength you get from the angle iron is lost with it being cut to fit around the frame and at the brush guard mounting location.

2010 Chevrolet Silverado Front Mount Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com is just one location to get a hitch (amazon was cheaper when I put one on my DD). I also checked Bodiak, but they don't have one for the 1500 series. The front hitch should interface well with the truck based on the mounting options I'm seeing. You'll also gain additional mounting options for future accessories.

Good luck.

Click to expand...

this will attach to my frame with my grill in place?

Draw-Tite Front Hitch for Chevrolet Silverado 2010 - 65050

just found this on that web iste

TacticalDoc said:

this will attach to my frame with my grill in place?

Click to expand...

The front hitch should attach to the frame and be compatible with a brush guard attachment. I've yet to see one that won't allow both to be bolted to the framework.

unfortunately the front hitch for a 2010 silverado 1500 doesnt come through the front brush guard

The only ones on e trailer for the 1500 sits low...under the brush guard

I would think that a pipe 2 inches lower will affect the clearance of the front end a lot and dig into the dirt. Also a winch plate would be to low

2010 Chevrolet Silverado Front Mount Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com

That sucks that it won't be high enough to keep your ground clearance. I can see it appearing to loose ground clearance when in all reality, you are loosing some approach angle clearance. The air dam is usually needing modification to accommodate the hitch, therefore, you are not really loosing clearance; just angle.

As for the winch plate being too low, it should sit even with the top of the receiver; if not a little higher. Mine flush with the top of the receiver, but the line rollers are another 2" above that level. More than adequate for my winching needs.

Sounds like you need a custom fab one similar to the bodiak hitch assemblies. Too bad they don't have one for your particular model. I've seen some really nice custom jobs for the higher models (2500 / 3500). These tend to sit between the frame rails and pop out through a hole in the bumper. Unfortunately, it appears you would have to move your 100w siren speaker to permit this style hitch.

I switched the 265 wheels to 285 and added a 2 inch leveling kit to the front. So, now the front sits about 3 inches higher. So a drop of the hitch 2 inches wouldnt be to bad. Unfortunately, there is a bar the goes across the the front and would have to be removed if I put a plate there.

I think what I'm going to do is get 2 square tubes that fit into the frame. Then drill holes into the tubes through the frame. Then make a plate/frame for a winch that will bolt into the tubes and grill.

found this
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 Hidden Hitch Front End Receiver Hitches | Shop Now

all the front hitch mounts are to low and wouldnt be safe for a winch and would decrease clearance..

I like the looks of that hidden hitch. it'd be similar to the custom fab you are writing about.

blybrook said:

I like the looks of that hidden hitch. it'd be similar to the custom fab you are writing about.

Click to expand...

no it would be to low

i would make the plate with 2 metal square tubes coming out of the frame

that histh for an 1500 silverado comes out under the bumper not through it like the 2500 or 3500