Maybe it's just the specific builds that I have seen, but the hidden winch mounts have always looked way heavier. The receiver hitch doesn't look any heavier than a typical rear hitch. I'm thinking about the hidden mount Spazz built, and it looks like it weighs at least 250lbs. I have to think that would affect handling, with all that weight in front of the axle. As I mentioned in the original post, I'm looking at buying a 62lb rope winch, so moving it front or rear wouldn't be that big of a deal. It will be hard wired up front, but I may carry a small spool of wire, but that can be in the car where at least the additional weight is in the right place. I might just buy a high quality set of long jumper cables. I may end up never moving it, but when stuck, it is always nice to have options. It will weigh less than all the rocks I have moved to get out of a situation!

The safari bar I have cuts a degree or two of approach off, but it was something the PO had installed and has a few lights on it. I like the look of it, so I'd like to keep it, as I think it offers some protection, mostly bumper tags in parking lots. It would protect the winch a bit in these situations as well. The PO had nerf bars on it too, those I took off the first day I bought it!

I still am in the planning stage, so thanks again for all the input.