I have a 2001 Dakota QC and want to put a hitch on the front. It will mainly be used for wiching and I have a removable XRC8 8,000lbs winch off my Jeep and want to use it on my truck for around the house stuff and possibly recoveries in the winter. I have found them on ebay for like $150 but my question is does anybody have one? The ones I see all look like they use 2 bolts per side on the frame and I am just wondering if that will be strong enough..and do they just come out under the bumper? My truck I use mainly as a daily driver but I will be using it up north at my girlfriend's dad's place for moving around equipment, moving stuff to heavy to lift, etc.

TIA

 

I have been looking for one...kind of. Truck is heavy enough. Anyway, I have a few links saved for them...they pop out right in the air dam, unless you want to custom make them. Check out the few big names...I think Curt and Winchready or Drawtite make them.

 

I went through this for a front receiver for my Grand Cherokee a couple of years ago. What I found was that there are two things to be concerned with. One is obviously the weight capacity. Huge range out there as I found them from 4000 lbs to 9000 lbs rolling weight capacity. The other thing I found is that some sat WAY too low under the bumper, absolutely killing angle of approach.
The only one I found that had a high capacity and sat high off the ground was the Warn, which also just happened to be the most expensive. Curt was the least expensive but had both the poorest capacity and sat crazy low below the front bumper. I don't know how their receivers are for Daks, but these are some things you need to look at before purchasing one...

 

Ok thanks I was thinking of modifying it when I get it because it looks like most come out under the bumper but yeah was just looking at ebay ones but I might just stop by radco and see if they can special order one or something.

 

Check out reese. Im not saying it will work out but I have a universal fit one on the rear of my truck and the brackets it came with gave you diff options on weather you wanted it higher,lower,further in or out. For 115.00 cant beat it.

 

I have had a front hitch on my 2002 Dak that I have a snow plow mounted there. It is an aluminum plow. It is a "snow" something. I bought it from them. I use it to spot trailers in the yard too. no height problem.

 

I will check them out guys thanks, I am selling some parts soon and should be able to afford one. I will put it in and if it fits nice enough I may just leave it and not mod it but that doesn't sound like me haha.