Bud Built Hidden Winch Regrets?

[gshadow325]

I've got a couple questions for you guys:

-Those of you that did the install, about how long did it take (I know this is highly variable, but just trying to get a rough idea) I just need to know if I should set-aside a single day, a whole weekend, or longer? :shrug:

-Also curious if a dual battery setup is essential or if I can get away with a single for a while? (Suffering some wallet fatigue).

1.5 hours, two guys. Start to finish. I did one previously on a 4th gen Justy two weeks before.

I used my winch a lot this past weekend and I had truck running, radio on, heat on, dvd players on, led light bar on, rigid dually d2s on and no issues with it working. ....I do have a stinger spp1700 battery though

My cousin was doing the same thing as me but with a stock battery and similar size winch and his winch kept shutting off lack of current.

I recommend upgrading primary battery. Just ordered my spydura line for my vr10000 warn winch.

 

[BigredTEX]

I have a question for anyone who has recently purchased a hidden winch plate. I can't get a response to email from BudBuilt.

I went to order the plate, which now has holes for my off-road lights, but notice at the checkout button a $30 option for light mounting plates. Anyone know what thee are?

 

[Jeremy556]

You're better off calling.

I didn't pay any extra, and have the light mounting holes. I can't imagine using them, as it would block access to the clutch lever.

 

[KCcarguy]

I have a question for anyone who has recently purchased a hidden winch plate. I can't get a response to email from BudBuilt.

I went to order the plate, which now has holes for my off-road lights, but notice at the checkout button a $30 option for light mounting plates. Anyone know what thee are?

You're better off calling.

I didn't pay any extra, and have the light mounting holes. I can't imagine using them, as it would block access to the clutch lever.

I ordered mine with the light brackets . There aren't any good pics on the website, but I thought I'd go ahead and buy it that way. I was concerned about access to the winch, but also thought lights would be cool. I know [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] and [MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] have lights mounted (though I think Harper made his own mounts), so I assume it works fine just accessing from up-top under the hood.
I do wish there were more pics on BB's website to show how it all looks/ works

 

[gshadow325]

i would expect the light brackets to extend the mounting points past the bumper

 

[phillyd2]

No issues directly reaching (no need to reach down from the hood) the winch clutch lever or the lights sticking out too far.

 

[phillyd2]

 

[jrandom]

[MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] hey Dave, I know you haven't got one but judging by how yours is, would you imagine one of these would fit over your setup? Just curious:

Rigid Industries LED Lighting | Leader in Off road LED light bars, truck LED lights, Marine LEDs, and Industrial LEDs

I am scheming how, what, and in what order, what I want to do, I really like the way yours is setup

 

[phillyd2]

[MENTION=6163]phillyd2[/MENTION] hey Dave would one of these fit over your setup? Just curious:

Rigid Industries LED Lighting | Leader in Off road LED light bars, truck LED lights, Marine LEDs, and Industrial LEDs

I am scheming how, what, and in what order, what I want to do, I really like the way yours is setup

Hmmm, I think somebody may have done the same but not sure. Only issue I see, other than an insane price, would be that you could not reach the winch release lever.

 

[jrandom]

Hmmm, I think somebody may have done the same but not sure. Only issue I see, other than an insane price, would be that you could not reach the winch release lever.

Thanks, I'll look around some more

Looks like a bit of a tweak to hit the clutch on yours, is it?

LOL yeah the price, well yeah more of having an idea than actually buying one. I was imagining building a cover for the winter to keep the over indulgent copious amounts of salt slurry and course salt they lay on our roads here from directly saturating the rope and well the winch itself.

My last winch got pretty trashed living here. I had to disassemble and re-grease everything (ie clutch, drive, gears) every few years. PITA and that winch was mounted on a brush guard. I don't really want to consider doing that to a setup like this.

 

[Jono.ful]

sorry to be quoting old posts, but I only just noticed this thread, so I'm a little late to the party....

this is exactly why we should be using shackles rather than hooks. also, this is a winch, not a snatch strap. these guys are idiots. buddy is lucky he had a windshield otherwise he'd get my vote for the Darwin Awards.

So, is a removable solenoid required for this winch mount? If so, I'm in trouble. :frusty:

I just installed this same winch on my truck, although with a different mount. If you open up the solenoid box you will see there is a quite a bit of room to move the plug in. I just drilled a new hole and moved it to the flat spot on the left hand side of the solenoid box. problem solved.

@ OP: personally, I'm very happy I didn't waste $375 on a Bud. Having seen enough photos of the design, I was able to have a structural welding friend fab up some angle brackets which utilize the same frame mounting location as Bud's. That, combined with some 6,000lb axle u-bolts for the aluminum bumper, let me use the SuperWinch plate and voila, I have an awesome mount that is every bit as solid as Bud's piece. Total cost for the mount: $138. It has taken three very hard pulls now and hasn't moved at all. I'm definitely happy.

 

[Gerdo]

It's pretty awesome to be able to have a winch hidden in the stock bumper. Costs less than an aftermarket bumper. Also keeps the aerodynamics of the factory front end.

The down side is that an aftermarket bumper will increase approach angle and stand up to trail use.

If you don't wheel anything too extreme and don't need a better approach angle, it looks like a great option.

 

[jrandom]

@ OP: personally, I'm very happy I didn't waste $375 on a Bud. Having seen enough photos of the design, I was able to have a structural welding friend fab up some angle brackets which utilize the same frame mounting location as Bud's. That, combined with some 6,000lb axle u-bolts for the aluminum bumper, let me use the SuperWinch plate and voila, I have an awesome mount that is every bit as solid as Bud's piece. Total cost for the mount: $138. It has taken three very hard pulls now and hasn't moved at all. I'm definitely happy.

Honestly I don't mind supporting small business, in a way you just did, unless you didn't pay/compensate your friend for his time and expertise. You also didn't pay for the design idea of which you outwardly stated "Having seen enough photos of the design"

Obviously if something is extortionately expensive yeah I will certainly think twice, yes this is a little on the high side, Sure it would be nice if it were cheaper. I also look at it this way if he sells ten of them he'll make $3750 (a few weeks pay for average income amercun), then subtract the time and materials it took to design it, a method of manufacture, the shop and equipment he has to pay for. Funny how people don't actually take that stuff into consideration when they price things, wal-mart society

It's pretty awesome to be able to have a winch hidden in the stock bumper. Costs less than an aftermarket bumper. Also keeps the aerodynamics of the factory front end.

The down side is that an aftermarket bumper will increase approach angle and stand up to trail use.

If you don't wheel anything too extreme and don't need a better approach angle, it looks like a great option.

LOL ya the approach angle I know what you mean. The problem with 5th gen is the departure angle. That frumpy big ole butt just wants to drag. Again personal preference I would rather my approach be equal to my departure. I only recall seeing one rear bumper that looks like it gives you a little bit more than stock. Gees the weight factor too, start gurning that little V6 after you add 600+ pounds of armor (fornt/rear bumpers, skids, sliders, ect). I'd like to keep it half or less than that. Its like driving around with 3-4 extra people all the time, not even including gear, actual extra people, and fluids.

 

[phillyd2]

Thanks, I'll look around some more

Looks like a bit of a tweak to hit the clutch on yours, is it?

LOL yeah the price, well yeah more of having an idea than actually buying one. I was imagining building a cover for the winter to keep the over indulgent copious amounts of salt slurry and course salt they lay on our roads here from directly saturating the rope and well the winch itself.

My last winch got pretty trashed living here. I had to disassemble and re-grease everything (ie clutch, drive, gears) every few years. PITA and that winch was mounted on a brush guard. I don't really want to consider doing that to a setup like this.

No tweak. My arm fits in easy enough to get to the lever. No real extra room but enough. I upgraded my winch to the zeon which has better water / dirt proofing. It also came with a plastic cover over the rope which either didn't fit with the bb plate or I did not spend more than 10 seconds trying harder.

 

[phillyd2]

The down side is that an aftermarket bumper will increase approach angle and stand up to trail use.

If you don't wheel anything too extreme and don't need a better approach angle, it looks like a great option.

I'll agree to a point. But more than a few wheel extremely enough with the trail front plastic. The issue as mentioned is that whatever you get past with the front you also need to get past with the rear. In my case the front has so far survived pretty unmolested while the lower part of the rear plastic looks like it's been to a drunken priest convention.

 

[jrandom]

So I am getting ready to buy a winch and drop it on the tray. It has come done to wanting a superwinch talon 9.5 or a warn zeon 10. Still need to do some measurements to see if there is enough room for that bulky superwinch solenoid or if I can relocate the zeon solenoid. Any input here is appreciated

My biggest question is what has everyone done with the power steering line that runs through there? At least it looks like it is attached to the power steering pump, the larger dark colored horizontal line, connected to rubber hose sections at the ends. All of the pics I have come across, I can't see in any detail behind the winch.

Thanks

 

[phillyd2]

So I am getting ready to buy a winch and drop it on the tray. It has come done to wanting a superwinch talon 9.5 or a warn zeon 10. Still need to do some measurements to see if there is enough room for that bulky superwinch solenoid or if I can relocate the zeon solenoid. Any input here is appreciated

My biggest question is what has everyone done with the power steering line that runs through there? At least it looks like it is attached to the power steering pump, the larger dark colored horizontal line, connected to rubber hose sections at the ends. All of the pics I have come across, I can't see in any detail behind the winch.

Thanks

There are in fact some pretty good pics out there somewhere, including some I posted, but right now I'm not sure which thread they are in.

Keep looking or maybe somebody will come along to point you in the right direction.

 

[jrandom]

ahh, yours it was! thanks:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/102292-them-me-mods-18.html#post1341855

Looks like you rolled it up and put it behind the center vertical cross member. Do you recall if you got extended hoses on the ends by any chance? Maybe it is just the photo but mine do appear to be the same at first/second glance.

 

[phillyd2]

I didn't nor needed to extend. But search for Tom's (jangoforhire) post somewhere where he did have an issue and needed to extend. Sorry, going purely on memory here and it may have been somebody else.

 

[jrandom]

Sweet thanks Dave! and of course [MENTION=78705]jangoforhire[/MENTION] for posting what/how you did it. You guys are saving me some headaches.

Right again:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/116234-jangoforhires-build-pictures-16.html#post1387101