Winch Mount Advice Needed for 1978 Chev K10

[kenner]

Hello All!

It seems that grill and brush guards, bull bars and front end hitch receivers are not made for my 1978 Cheyenne PU...

BUT, I'm reading that the GM bodies/chassies? are the same from 1973-1987.

I'm finding winch mounting systems for 1983 and 1984....

Will these years of Silverado, or K10 mounting systems fit my 1978???

THANK YOU!!

 

[crazy4offroad]

The front ends of the frames are different, but that's about it. If the bumper mount doesn't come into account it will likely work. If it were me I would put a front reese hitch on and put the winch on a reese mount, which is essentially how mine is set up. I built a reese into my home built front bumper on one truck, and on dad's truck he had built a reese onto his front push bar. My 8000# Ramsey is on a Curtis reese mount, and dad's 16,000 Warn is on a home built reese mount.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

If you can melt steel anything is possible...
Remember....

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[kenner]

Thanks, "Crazy". Later today/tonight, I'll find specific mounts and run them passed you.

 

[shiftpro]

The front ends of the frames are different, but that's about it. If the bumper mount doesn't come into account it will likely work. If it were me I would put a front reese hitch on and put the winch on a reese mount, which is essentially how mine is set up. I built a reese into my home built front bumper on one truck, and on dad's truck he had built a reese onto his front push bar. My 8000# Ramsey is on a Curtis reese mount, and dad's 16,000 Warn is on a home built reese mount.

This imo is the only way to fly.
But I must admit I had to goggle 'Curtis Reese mount'.... oh ok, receiver mount. Keep your winch stashed behind the cab, out of the elements, and weight off the front end. But might want to run synthetic cable unless your a gorilla.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Yes, my apologies, it is a "Curt" mount I have, exactly like this one...
http://www.autoanything.com/winches/77A4563A3439026.aspx
And the name may have been a factor as to why I bought one lol. I used to have the winch mounted between the frame rails behind the bumper on a homemade mount, with the fairlead mounted to the bumper, which I really liked the way it worked out. But it made it hard to wire/clean/maintain/repair. If I had it to do over I would do it using the reese mount the first time. My winch and bracket probably weighs 80# which is a lot for me and my bad back. Dad's 16k Warn and homemade mount weighs in at a whopping 268#. I either have to have help installing it or use the cherry picker.

 

[kenner]

Will this Warn front receiver for a 1983 Chevy C/K 1500, fit my 1978 Chevy Cheyenne K10??

https://www.realtruck.com/front-hitches/chevy/c-k-pickup-1500/1983/

 

[shiftpro]

Yes, my apologies, it is a "Curt" mount I have, exactly like this one...
http://www.autoanything.com/winches/77A4563A3439026.aspx
And the name may have been a factor as to why I bought one lol. I used to have the winch mounted between the frame rails behind the bumper on a homemade mount, with the fairlead mounted to the bumper, which I really liked the way it worked out. But it made it hard to wire/clean/maintain/repair. If I had it to do over I would do it using the reese mount the first time. My winch and bracket probably weighs 80# which is a lot for me and my bad back. Dad's 16k Warn and homemade mount weighs in at a whopping 268#. I either have to have help installing it or use the cherry picker.

Like I said, synthetic winch rope.

 

[shiftpro]

And keep in mind when we get out full size trucks stuck to the point the winch is needed, it's not going to be friendly terrain we will have to navigate to get the winch into it's spot. Imagine wading through mud up to our ass while slinging a 200lbs winch lol.

 

[kenner]

So, I called Warn this morn and they verified that there's very little difference in the chassis of 1973-87 Chevy trucks and that their front end receiver that fits a 1983 Chevy 1500, would fit my older truck with just slight modification to the hole pattern on the part.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

Over 'n out.

 

[crazy4offroad]

That reese will stick out under the bumper if that is an issue. I have seen some people carefully cut a hole in the bumper and use a flip-down license plate bracket to cover it with and have the hitch just behind the bumper. However if your bumper is nice I wouldn't advise it. Also keep in mind winching from a steep left or right of center angle isn't advised with a reese mount winch. You may have to weld in some bracing or use some rope and a pulley to make the winch cable or rope pull into the drum as straight as possible.

 

[Colin]

So, I called Warn this morn and they verified that there's very little difference in the chassis of 1973-87 Chevy trucks and that their front end receiver that fits a 1983 Chevy 1500, would fit my older truck with just slight modification to the hole pattern on the part.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

Over 'n out.

Verify there is room on the frame in front of the leaf spring shackles for that receiver.

 

[Chevynut46]

I've been lookin for something like this.. I was thinking I might have to make my own. What I really like about the front hitch mount is that it will help make the frame more rigid too.

That reese will stick out under the bumper if that is an issue. I have seen some people carefully cut a hole in the bumper and use a flip-down license plate bracket to cover it with and have the hitch just behind the bumper. However if your bumper is nice I wouldn't advise it. Also keep in mind winching from a steep left or right of center angle isn't advised with a reese mount winch. You may have to weld in some bracing or use some rope and a pulley to make the winch cable or rope pull into the drum as straight as possible.

I absolutely agree about beefing it up. I have some 1/4' plate left over from my rear bumper I can make gusets with.. I definitely want to hide it behind the bumper but I'll have to mock it up and see how hard the receiver pin will be to get to.... Maybe by mid summer I can get my hands on one of these and start playin with it