Hello,

I have learned some great things from this forum and I am looking to begin the build on my 2018 TRD OR with KDSS. I bought it new and it now has about 40K miles and I have been getting a few too many bumps and bruises on the front and rear bumper.

I like the idea of a new front bumper and winch but I'm curious about how so many winches are pretty hidden and one of the only bumpers I have found that have great access to the winch is from LFD Offroad. I really like the CBI and C4 and other bumpers but it seems like access to the winch is a little hidden.

Question is... do you find that your aftermarket bumper provides enough access to your winch? I don't see as many people running the LFD bumpers so maybe a lot of people find the other styles ok, or the access isn't high priority?

Thanks in advance for your comments and opinions.

Take Care,
-Ryan

For me, winch access was a top factor when I was looking around for bumpers. Wanted to be able to see the drum as to make sure the line was being winded up properly after/during use.

Really wanted the LFD but shipping costs hurt...so had to settle with something with less access. Eventually ended up with a Outgear Solutions bumper which has pretty large cutouts for winch access. I don't have any issues accessing the clutch or the winch controller plug. Still doesn't have the level of access that the LFD has but it has sufficed. I also relocated the control box so I can now see the drum instead of having to try to peak through the fairlead.

Tried finding a picture of the front to show the accessibility. I don't take many photos of the car so hopefully these help

Thanks! That is helpful. I had a deal with my wife that I wouldn't get a front bumper until we went through things gnarly enough that I would knock off the front bumper. Last weekend we were out and a branch on a downed log hooked my front driver side of the low factory bumper and ripped it out. I paused and looked at her and she said, "Well I guess you can get your new bumper now"

So...since part of my factory bumper is trashed, I can't get one of those lo profile ones. I'm going to get one that is a full replacement, which the LFD is. But I realize others have decent access. I've never had a winch before so I wasn't sure how critical access is, but it seems I'd like to have good access.

I think just being able to see the drum is one of the most important aspects. If its a straight pull, not too concerning. I just wanted to have large cutouts so I didn't have to twist my arm my much to access the clutch and plug lol.

Also I made a similar deal with my fiancee regarding the rear bumper. We have a 2 car parking spot at our complex and she tends to park really close. Warned her that if she hit the rear bumper one day, I'd get the 4x4labs I was looking at. The plan backfired as she has been parking as far as possible ever since.

So, our perspective: it all depends on the frequency that you're planning to use the winch.

If you're not doing a ton of winching, its not as critical. The biggest issue is being able to see the line spooling. Most bumpers and hidden winch mounts (which includes ours) don't let you see the winch line spooling, which can lead to the line bunching up on one side if you're not careful.

I ran a hidden winch mount for a while though on my original 2016 Trail, and it works. I just spent a lot of time trying to re-spool line correctly after trips, and accessing the clutch was a total pain. After one trip where I had seven winches getting up one hill alone, I decided I was done with a winch I couldn't access easily or see.

If you're planning on doing a lot of winching, it absolutely makes a difference. Being able to easily access the clutch and view the line spooling makes things easier and safer.

I think what it really comes down to is if you're installing a winch so you have another recovery tool option on the vehicle, but don't really "plan" on using it, then its probably not as big of a deal. The majority of people who install a winch only use it once or twice at most.

If you're like us and winching often, you definitely want one with good access and visibility, whether its from us or someone else.

Using an SSO slimline bumper with Warn winch and the cutouts are fine for the clutch. I always remove two of the little "poppers" from the shroud over the radiator to get to the plug in for the lead. It is not the most convenient but it has not bothered me. As LFD said my use case has been about 10 times needing the winch, (mainly for trail clearing), and none of those situations have been super time sensitive.

To me being able to see the spool is critical.
I was all set on getting a hidden winch with light bar and probably a little bull bar... then I took a recovery course and actually used a couple different winches.
Totally changed my perspective.
Just pretensioning and spooling the line is ridiculous if you can't see it, let alone an off axis heavy pull.
Mounted on top of the bumper in the open is probably best - see everything in Australia and Africa.
But I figured I could "settle" for the LFD option.
If you are building a mall crawler - get the hidden with extra lights and don't even buy a winch... just need an expensive thimble for the look.
If you are going to use the winch - get something with access and visibility.

Agree, I’m the same. No issues with my SSO. I am able to access everything from the side with the slimline cut. No issues watching the spoil as well, just have to take it slow and have a good anchor.
Also depends on the winch you get. There are slight variations in where the clutch, power buttons, plugs, etc are located. Also if you go wireless or not.

My Warn bumper has big access holes on the front allowing you to easily access the clutch and to see the spool - from an angle.

I have a bit of a paranoid worry that I will come out from Walmart and find some hill billy has released the clutch on my winch and wrapped my winch line through the wheels of 10 parked cars and a cart corral.

Hasn't happened yet but you never know.

The other selling point on the Warn, along with it being already powder coated, and on the shelf everywhere, is it's fairlead is not angled.

Sounds like I'm in the minority, but I'll chime in.

My SSO bumper does not have the access holes. It hasn't been an issue for me, and I need to use my winch plenty.

I can see/reach down in there from the engine bay very well. Just a couple of weeks ago I detached and removed my rope for cleaning, then was able to reach back down and reattach. Without removing my bumper cover.

Sure, you want to make sure it spools correctly. But it's not a life/death situation if you get a crappy spool during a recovery where you need to be pulled maybe 5 feet. I just check it at the end of a trail day while airing up.

More access is better, but it hasn't caused me any issues.

If you truly will use it, access is important.

I looked at all the options and got the Warn offering for $610 shipped.

Ordered and had it in 3 days.

- no extra charge for powder-coat
- free shipping ($100-150 depending on where you are for the others)
- no wait time

I love informational threads like this one. Never thought about access when considering a bumper, I knew I liked the LFD bumper for a reason

I've only used my winch a hand full of times, but having the visibility I have is great. Wish I had more! Nothing will beat an LFD bumper for that. I was looking at their slimline version, along with the warn, SSO, etc. I don't remember what my deciding factor was, but I went with the SSO. I got it with the access cutouts and the generic lightbar cut out. I don't have, or plan to put in, a lightbar, the slot is just there to see the winch line. I have a warn evo 10s winch, and all of the pictures show a gray line. Mine has black, so it is still hard to see. I'll probably add a rocklight in there or something to illuminate it a bit.

Even just spooling it up to stretch the line would be a pain if you couldn't see it at all.

-Chris

I think it’s absolutely critical if you’re planning on actually using your winch. I can’t imagine respooling a winch blindly without having a sight line to the drum.

I’m fortunate enough to have a bumper that has enough access that also allows me to rebuild the winch without having to remove the bumper. That is another thing to think about as well. These things need maintenance you don’t want them to fail while you’re out In the field.




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I have the Victory Blitz bumper with 2 ample cutouts for clutch and power access.

Have already used the winch 3 times in the 3 weeks since I've had it installed.
To me it's imperative to have access