I was surmising more about the angle of the fairlead as opposed to the actual height, so my bad for not clarifying. Yes, you're totally spot on, the fairlead should definitely be at the same height as the major force of the pull.

My hidden sits on top of and bolts to the alu bumper and crush pads, I haven't bothered to look at the 14+, I assume they replace the aluminum with a direct mount tray? Hence, coming out of the lower bumper cover valence instead of the grill.

The winch could be in exactly the same space. Just face mounted or upside down. That would position the fairlead correctly at a higher spot. But you'd have to clock the control pack/motor to the correct position then. And that's not easy bolt in.

On mine - it was fine mounted normally with plenty of space mounted upright and the fairlead is flat in the center of the bumper. The problem is largely that they all want to, or need to? fit a Zeon in there without remote mounting the control pack. That means it's gotta sit way low in the bumper.

It's not a deal breaker by any means. Just something I've noticed that could be improved a bit. There are a dozen other reasons that the partial bumper would have been a better fit for what I do. But I went down the road of hidden winch mount already.

Looks like it's a total replacement for the front piece so no cutting. Just remove and install...

Looked back at the front. Thought the front piece were separate. Thanks

Ive looked on their site and can't find any reference to the airbag. Can anyone confirm this.

There are no airbag sensors up there. So IMO every bumper is airbag compatible. Other countries have more specific rules like having to actually crash test them to get the approval sticker.

Pricing!?

Curious as well. Toyota needs some love from companies that don't have months-long lead time.

I like it, wonder if it will be available without the goofy 2" tube.

Its not where the sensors are, its about energy absorption. ARB designs and tests for this, others do not due to the cost.

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The best I can gather is there are subtle differences between the 3 lower nose covers (SR5, Limited, Trail) so a one size fits all wouldn't look correct except on one of them. The only prototype that was ever made was for a 2012 Trail IIRC. SSO found out about the differences during that build and since they have had several other more promising projects come up, that one has been put on the back burner.

The best answer I can give for this is the winch mounting plate is across the same axis as the frame horns and where the original bumper was located. Keeping the winch directly between the 2 frame hard points prevents undo torsional stress on those mounting points that a higher mounted winch might cause. The larger full size bumpers may have additional bracing to support the higher profile, allowing for a higher winch location. The lo-pro's are pretty much stuck with only the frame horns where the original bumper was mounted. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Believe me I have the same concern as you ref damaging the rope. I have in fact stuffed mud into that fairlead more than once. But it is an acceptable trade off for me who wanted to keep the original nose profile as much as possible.

SEMI HIDDEN KIT WINCH MOUNTING SYSTEM 4RUNNER WARN100022

Looks like pricing is out. $520.25 for preorders.

Then why call it airbag compatible? It no relationship with the airbags.

it's related to the airbag because when you have no energy absorption it makes the impact harder (higher g-force)

here is a good explanation:
https://www.arb.com.au/ask-arb-air-bag-compatibility/