Adding winch now or after a lift

M

mikeromeo1968

New member
Hey ladies and gents, getting to ready to complete my first mod to my 2015 trail. Could use some feed back on winches, lift kits and in what order to have them done. I was going to put a lift on but then realized that adding a winch i would need to get the heavier lift kit. the problem: i wont be adding the winch for a few months due to finances. so do i add the winch then the lift? will the stock suspension be able to handle the bumper and winch or should i just suffer through the stiffer suspension until i get the money for the winch? thanks for the feed back and direction. also i searched the threads but couldnt find anything similar to this situation.
 
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Just get the lift with the heavier springs as needed for the winch.

You said only couple of months I wouln't want to wait on a lift.
 
Dillusion said:
Just get the lift with the heavier springs as needed for the winch.

You said only couple of months I wouln't want to wait on a lift.
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thanks, do you have any suggestions for a bumper? really only need a winch mount. i saw a few pictures of hidden winch mounts where only the lead is visible. btw my build list is growing by the day lol
 
I'm not a fan of hidden winch mounts. Getting access to the solenoid and/or clutch is a pain in the ass when you really need to get to it.

I rather spend the extra money on a slimline bumper with winch access cutouts.

As for what to buy first, I would put the weight on first and then get a lift done soon after with the proper spring rate to support the winch / bumper. Thats the ideal way of doing things, but life is anything but ideal.
 
mikeromeo1968 said:
thanks, do you have any suggestions for a bumper? really only need a winch mount. i saw a few pictures of hidden winch mounts where only the lead is visible. btw my build list is growing by the day lol
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I bought the Warn winch mount. Take a look. Fast shipping and you can find deals on it.
 
I have an SSO Slimline without cutouts I have access to the controls under the hood.

I prefer the Slimline type because I like the bull bar and the recovery points on the front of the bumper.

I did the lift and then the bumper and Smittybilt 10,000 winch later as it took about 2 months to get the bumper. SSO is a nice bumper, but they are really slow.

The Warn bumper looks very much like the SSO, but without the light bar. If it is faster to get, that is probably what I would go with.
 
mrblah said:
I'm not a fan of hidden winch mounts. Getting access to the solenoid and/or clutch is a pain in the ass when you really need to get to it.

I rather spend the extra money on a slimline bumper with winch access cutouts.

As for what to buy first, I would put the weight on first and then get a lift done soon after with the proper spring rate to support the winch / bumper. Thats the ideal way of doing things, but life is anything but ideal.
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if you want winch access wait for the LFD Offroad bumpers, they have the best winch access on the market. I was going to do a hidden winch mount this spring (I also don't like the winch access, but I try to stay leight weight) but decided to wait until [MENTION=136636]jafrush[/MENTION]'s bumpers hit the market
 
I personally would get the lift first. The stock springs on the Trail are soft, adding a winch will just make it bounce more on a 4x4 trail especially going down. I dented my stock skid plate doing exactly that without a winch. I doubt it would be a big deal on the highway but your dive when braking will probably be more pronounced with the added winch and bumper weight.

Regarding the slimline bumpers, check out the new Victory one. Looks like a good option and a good looking one too.

Victory Front Winch Bumper
 
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jhguth said:
if you want winch access wait for the LFD Offroad bumpers, they have the best winch access on the market. I was going to do a hidden winch mount this spring (I also don't like the winch access, but I try to stay leight weight) but decided to wait until [MENTION=136636]jafrush[/MENTION]'s bumpers hit the market
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Did someone say winch access? #winchaccessfordays

uPwwIld.jpg


ETA: Personally I say upgrade suspension first before adding weight, but its not the end of the world if you don't.
 
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mikeromeo1968 said:
thanks, do you have any suggestions for a bumper? really only need a winch mount. i saw a few pictures of hidden winch mounts where only the lead is visible. btw my build list is growing by the day lol
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I have no input because I don't have a bumper or winch in mind yet either.
 
Personally knowing what I know now… I would do most all of it around the same time, especially if you plan on going long duration between mods. Truck rides like crap while you wait either way you go.

Both decisions of bumper and winch (or any additional weight) will affect spring rates. If you KNOW what you want, you can plan accordingly, but if you get the lift and start changing your mind about bumper or winch, you may end up needing to re-work the front suspension again.
 
Winches are cool and very useful if you are going to be wheeling often or in situations where you would need to do a self recovery, there are few things that can do what a winch can.

If you are new to off roading or a 4x4 truck I would be surprised if you use it often enough to justify the purchase, added weight and the MPG hit but it's your truck.

Have you been in a situation where you have needed it yet? Have you been stuck in your truck ever? Have you ever needed to pull someone out yet where a snatch strap wouldn't work? If the answer to these questions is no, unless you are planning on drastically changing what you do in your truck I would say you don't really NEED a winch.

They do look really cool though and lets be honest a lot of what we do to and with our trucks is because it looks cool.

Just my two cents.
 
jafrush said:
Did someone say winch access? #winchaccessfordays

uPwwIld.jpg


ETA: Personally I say upgrade suspension first before adding weight, but its not the end of the world if you don't.
Click to expand...

So this is not available yet? I have a 19 TRDOF and I don't want the full bumper since I am looking at weight. There are way too many options for bumpers and sliders, it just sucks that there are no fabricators near me.
 
Tango_6 said:
So this is not available yet? I have a 19 TRDOF and I don't want the full bumper since I am looking at weight. There are way too many options for bumpers and sliders, it just sucks that there are no fabricators near me.
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Available sometime this spring. Making final tweaks from that prototype now.
 
jafrush said:
Available sometime this spring. Making final tweaks from that prototype now.
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Hey if you need a Guinea pig I have a 19 TRD OF. I am in Lower AL I am not sure how far you are. Looking forward to price and the final product. Will it fit a Engo 10k?
 
Tango_6 said:
Hey if you need a Guinea pig I have a 19 TRD OF. I am in Lower AL I am not sure how far you are. Looking forward to price and the final product. Will it fit a Engo 10k?
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Kinda far, NC here. That's an Engo 10K in it now, we also have some Engo XR10Ks that we use too that are a lot bigger.
 
jafrush said:
Did someone say winch access? #winchaccessfordays

uPwwIld.jpg


ETA: Personally I say upgrade suspension first before adding weight, but its not the end of the world if you don't.
Click to expand...

what brand bumper is that? do the holes need to be drilled? and what size and manufacture of winch, if you wouldnt mind.
 
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