04-16-2009, 11:12 AM
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Just a Herbicidal maniac.
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Re: front hitch and cooling
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicculi
I'm thinking about installing a front mount hitch for use with a winch. I'm a bit worried about the reduction in approach angle, and cradle attachment in adverse situations. I'm thinking about building one that exits behind the front plate area, my only concern is that my cross tube, will block airflow through the bumper and thus reduce my cooling efficiency. Anyone know what kind of trouble I might get into with cooling issues?
thx
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I would suspect, but can't prove, that it won't reduce cooling by all that much, if at all. The bumper opening on the 1st gen Tundra's just isn't that big. I have the Warn Trans4mer system with a non-removable winch up font (see my photo album) and I've very happy with this setup. The winch and mounting plate pretty much bocks off the bumper opening, however, six inches of lift and 35's keeps it up and out of the way of trail obstacles.  In all my times out wheelin I have never had the engine temp gauge move off dead center. The ONLY time I've had the temp gauge move even a little bit was pulling our 26' Outback TT (scaled weight of 5,600 lbs) south bound on I-5 here in California up the "Grapevine". This is a very steep climb before getting to southern CA. I got stuck behind a big rig on this grade and I could not safely pull out and pass him. So I had to sit behind him for about 15 minutes doing appro. 25 mph to the top. That was a rather extreme situation, so I don't believe that blocking the bumper opening is going to cause you any concern in day to day driving out on the trails. So in my opinion - go for it! 
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My daily driver - 2008 Vios 'S' sedan. Tinted windows in the rear, TRD anti-sway bar for the rear, 17" rims - Samurai SC02 Hyper Black. TRD lowering springs. Megan Racing header.
My favorite ride - a 2001 SR5 4x4. With - RCD 6" lift, JBA Titanium coated headers, JBA y-pipe, Unichip PnP, ARB rd-129 air locker (rear), Camburg UCA's, custom front Sway-A-Way coilovers, custom Sway-A-Way's with remote reservoirs and billet mounts for the hind-quarters, PolyPerformance limit straps with adjustable clevis's, Stubbs Welding rock sliders and custom front skid plate, 315/75/16 Toyo Open Country M/T's, on all 4 corners wrapped around 16x8 MB Motoring Blitz rims, cryo'd 4.88's set up by Inchworm Gear, Trenz billet grill upper, T-Rex billet grill lower, on board VI-AIR aircompressor and 3 gallon air tank, AutoMeter A-pillar pod with trans temp gauge (sending unit in the tranny pan), Long Tru-Cool LPD tranny cooler, 10" Flex-a-Lite tranny cooler fan w/thermostat, TRD billet oil filler cap, TRD air filter, TRD dual exhaust, and TRD add-a-leaf rear springs. Superlift TruSpeed Speedo Recalibrator. Warn Trans4mer system with a 9.5ti winch running Amsteel Blue winch line. Budbuilt traction bar. Staun tyre deflators. Spitz Lift portable crane. Marlin Crawler 1.5" wheel spacers. Our home away from home, 2004 Outback 26RS travel trailer with 15" MB Motoring Blitz rims to match the Tundra.
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