Winch Question
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Winch Question
I test drove a 2015 today and I was looking at how easy/difficult it would be to add a hidden winch behind the front bumper. I was surprised that the radiator extended down into that space without much room at all between it and the bumper. It seems like even if you could get a winch in there that it would completely block off airflow to the lower part of the radiator.
Looking around, I can only find one mount for the factory bumper, and it doesn't work with the ecoboost. Plus they want $500 for a mounting kit.
So, has anyone successfully installed a winch with the factory bumper on an ecoboost? Is the best/only solution an aftermarket bumper? It doesn't seem like there are a lot of choices out there yet, and I can't find any that work with the adaptive cruise control.
Looking around, I can only find one mount for the factory bumper, and it doesn't work with the ecoboost. Plus they want $500 for a mounting kit.
So, has anyone successfully installed a winch with the factory bumper on an ecoboost? Is the best/only solution an aftermarket bumper? It doesn't seem like there are a lot of choices out there yet, and I can't find any that work with the adaptive cruise control.
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From: Palmer, MA
I don't think you're going to have much luck hiding a winch behind the bumper - there's no room there. How about welding a trailer hitch mount onto the winch and using it in back? It will cost a small fortune for all that thick copper wire to run all the way to the back though.
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The mount from SDHQ takes a bit to install. Not nearly as easy as the Rough Country mount available for the last generation trucks.
I pulled the winch on my 13 when I traded it in. However, I haven't settled on a mount yet for my 15. I have the 5.0L and no front camera or ACC to worry about. As a result the Westin HDX grill guard with winch mount is leading the way. Unfortunately adding the EcoBoost into the mix thins the waters even more.
I pulled the winch on my 13 when I traded it in. However, I haven't settled on a mount yet for my 15. I have the 5.0L and no front camera or ACC to worry about. As a result the Westin HDX grill guard with winch mount is leading the way. Unfortunately adding the EcoBoost into the mix thins the waters even more.
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Yeah, the SDHQ mount was the only one I could find. Surely there must be a solution - the new Raptor will be an eco boost and there's got to be a way to fit a winch on that. Maybe there just hasn't been enough time for anyone to design a proper replacement bumper that allows the radar and cameras to work. It would be nice if someone like ARB has one on the drawing boards.
Why is it that there's 20 after market alternatives for about every part that exists on a Wrangler or Toyota, but for the best selling vehicle in the world, I can't find diddly squat?
Why is it that there's 20 after market alternatives for about every part that exists on a Wrangler or Toyota, but for the best selling vehicle in the world, I can't find diddly squat?
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R&D on smaller budgets. Rough Country is working on one but will only say the release date is TBD.
The biggest issue with the hidden winch setup is the inability to access the winch itself if there is an issue. The grill is no longer attached to the hood. Clutch disengagement isn't an option unless you go with the new Warn winch for $1400.
That issue has me turned off to the hidden mount on this model truck. I ran a Warn Transformer mount on my old 02 and will more than likely end back up with a brush guard style mount again.
The biggest issue with the hidden winch setup is the inability to access the winch itself if there is an issue. The grill is no longer attached to the hood. Clutch disengagement isn't an option unless you go with the new Warn winch for $1400.
That issue has me turned off to the hidden mount on this model truck. I ran a Warn Transformer mount on my old 02 and will more than likely end back up with a brush guard style mount again.
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I wouldn't mind going that route if I could find a bumper/brush guard that doesn't interfere with the radar.
It looks like the solution to doing a hidden mount is to relocate the intercooler, which is the offending part. That's a pricey solution, though, and relocating the intercooler means mounting it in front of the radiator, and you've got to wonder what effect that has on cooling. Cheaper solution is to get the 5.0, lol.
Again, I have to think that the new Raptor will have taken all this into account. It keeps the lower grill though, so maybe not.
Link to the intercooler relocation kit, if anyone is interested - http://www.full-race.com/store/inter...ade-kit-1.html
It looks like the solution to doing a hidden mount is to relocate the intercooler, which is the offending part. That's a pricey solution, though, and relocating the intercooler means mounting it in front of the radiator, and you've got to wonder what effect that has on cooling. Cheaper solution is to get the 5.0, lol.
Again, I have to think that the new Raptor will have taken all this into account. It keeps the lower grill though, so maybe not.
Link to the intercooler relocation kit, if anyone is interested - http://www.full-race.com/store/inter...ade-kit-1.html
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