Winch and bumper combo that works well in the mud?

[Splaktar]

I am located in Central Florida. I am looking for info about which winches work the best in the mud.

The idea of a hidden winch is really attractive to me, but I have heard that hidden winches may leave the winch in the water/mud when you need to use it the most.

Also being in FL and living close to the beach, with salty air, I would like something that is somewhat protected from rusting out.

This will be my first winch. What do you think?

 

[Bschurr]

I am located in Central Florida. I am looking for info about which winches work the best in the mud.

The idea of a hidden winch is really attractive to me, but I have heard that hidden winches may leave the winch in the water/mud when you need to use it the most.

Also being in FL and living close to the beach, with salty air, I would like something that is somewhat protected from rusting out.

This will be my first winch. What do you think?

Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t care if you are under or over the bumper - salt air will affect metal stuff including winches without prejudice. I would agree that a hidden winch could be more challenging to deploy and use in a muddy environment as compared to a typical bumper mounted unit.

I recently installed the Ford Performance winch kit and but haven’t yet had the opportunity to to use it. I can however, advise that the price was right ($1050 and SAVE25 coupon code will reduce that by over $250). And, even though Ford says it isn’t compatible with the Raptor, it fits and installation was straightforward.

 

[Splaktar]

I am about to pull the trigger on the FP winch setup, but I want to make sure that I am not being hasty. I do want to keep the OEM front bumper if possible.

 

[JohnGalt]

couple of thoughts…

The one downside to the Ford Winch setup is there is no camera relocation kit for the front camera (that I am aware of). Also it blocks your parking sensors (also ACC if you have it, I believe). Read the fine print on the FP product site for specifics. .

A warn winch with synthetic rope should hold up pretty well to salt air…within reason. A cover may provide additional protection.

Hidden winches look nice, but they sit low where your bash plate should be. I’ve been riding passenger when the driver hit a berm, driving the winch into his intercooler among other things. I’ve bashed my plate in a deep water bar in the desert, it’s bashed but nothing else was damaged.

I have a JCR winch plate with their camera relocation. ACC works with relocating on this plate. It works for me, but I’m sure there are plenty of other good options.

 

[Bschurr]

couple of thoughts…

The one downside to the Ford Winch setup is there is no camera relocation kit for the front camera (that I am aware of). Also it blocks your parking sensors (also ACC if you have it, I believe). Read the fine print on the FP product site for specifics. .

A warn winch with synthetic rope should hold up pretty well to salt air…within reason. A cover may provide additional protection.

Hidden winches look nice, but they sit low where your bash plate should be. I’ve been riding passenger when the driver hit a berm, driving the winch into his intercooler among other things. I’ve bashed my plate in a deep water bar in the desert, it’s bashed but nothing else was damaged.

I have a JCR winch plate with their camera relocation. ACC works with relocating on this plate. It works for me, but I’m sure there are plenty of other good options.


View attachment 14027

FYI - There are several camera relocation and parking sensor relocation options available. I am told ACC will work fine as is - no modifications needed.

I recently called (parts are not listed separately on their website) & purchased sensor relocation parts from Rough Country for wire extensions and sensors for about $50.

Here’s the parts list & pricing from my order —>

The front camera still works however, the view is slightly obstructed. If you want to relocate there are several options in addition to Rough Country including: DV8, Mountain2Metal, Turn Offroad and likely others.

 

[Dewars]

an exposed winch would actually be better in your environment. Much easier to spray off the mud, debris and saltwater residue.

 

[ChiliPepper]

I'm partial to the Rough Country high mount (PN 51067) because of its tight clean profile, which does not impact the 47° approach angle; no impact to ACC, camera relocation, bumper sensor relocation, integrated light bar. Using with Warn Zeon winch. See my mods list.

What did you do to your Bronco Raptor today?

Follow-up on the Moab trip . . . Golden Spike - Golden Crack (reduced to 480p) Steel Bender - The Wall (reduced to 480p) Steel Bender - Dragon Tail (reduced to 480p) more scary than it looks Upper Lower Some low clearance vehicle stacked rocks. I wasn't going to take the time to move...

www.broncoraptor.com

 

[Splaktar]

I'm partial to the Rough Country high mount (PN 51067) because of its tight clean profile, which does not impact the 47° approach angle; no impact to ACC, camera relocation, bumper sensor relocation, integrated light bar. Using with Warn Zeon winch. See my mods list.

What did you do to your Bronco Raptor today?

Follow-up on the Moab trip . . . Golden Spike - Golden Crack (reduced to 480p) Steel Bender - The Wall (reduced to 480p) Steel Bender - Dragon Tail (reduced to 480p) more scary than it looks Upper Lower Some low clearance vehicle stacked rocks. I wasn't going to take the time to move...

www.broncoraptor.com

View attachment 14072

That looks and sounds great! I like that it works with the modular bumper. You have the bumper light bar hooked up to the aux switches?

Does the FP Winch mount reduce the approach angle?

Is their a weight difference between the FP and RC high winch mount?

 

[ChiliPepper]

That looks and sounds great! I like that it works with the modular bumper. You have the bumper light bar hooked up to the aux switches? YES

Does the FP Winch mount reduce the approach angle? Unknown

Is their a weight difference between the FP and RC high winch mount? Unknown

 

[Splaktar]

OK, I picked up the new Warn Zeon XD 10-S (hopefully able to withstand the FL weather a bit better with their new enhancements), a Rough Country high winch mount (no light), and a Mountains2Metal Front Camera Relocate Kit. The Zeon 10-S in the Ford Performance Winch setup is the older version and is cheaper, but it is less sealed from liquid and the elements.

I did also get a Red Warn Hook Strap and a Zeon Winch Cover. I'm not sure how well the cover will work with the Front Camera Relocate Kit, but I guess we'll see.

It sounds like the local shop that took care of my new wheels and tires, can also install the winch since they are an authorized Warn dealer.

 

[ChiliPepper]

A winch is just another tool in your off-road recovery package. Like all tools, having the proper tool for the job saves time and energy, and in the long run money. First question is do I even need a winch? Response: do you plan on getting stuck or in a situation where the capability of the vehicle can't get you out? Do you wheel with others that have a winch? Are you the rescuer or the victim? Do you need something permanently attached or removable? Do you need an electric winch or is manual good enough (think come-along here)?

Four Wheeler magazine (R.I.P.) did a very nice spread on 20 different vendor winches in the FEB 2018 edition. Each vendor has multiple sizes and offerings. In the same publication, FW has an article on what is takes to install a front bumper winch on a JK. FW Archives 2008-23.

Additional considerations in choosing the winch that is best "for you and your vehicle" include: [1] pulling capacity, [2] physical size, [3] cost, [4] durability, [5] reliability, [6] weight, [7] synthetic vs. cable, [8] electric vs. hydraulic, and [9] accessories.

 

[JohnGalt]

If anyone is still interested in the FP kit, there’s an excellent comprehensive thread in 6G that just got posted….

Ford Performance Winch with Sensors (ACC, Camera, and Parking) Works Fine; Parts List and Photos

In the winch instructions Ford implies that the sensors won’t work .. but they totally do. I’m not sure why they advise turning all of these things off in the instructions. Especially when on their FPP Bronco in their own F55 Ultrahook page they clearly have everything installed: camera...

www.bronco6g.com