Bud Built Hidden Winch

[lstankfoot]

Looks great

I like it, typically when i see a wire rope it has the roller fair lead, how is the wear from the metal to metal contact and will this plate accomodate any other winch models?

 

[Bthbama]

I think the plate takes most standard winches. I forget the bolt pattern right off but it's the same across the spectrum of winches so yes many makes will go on this plate. Probably going synthetic rope is best. I've had this mounted for a few years and after pulling out a few friends and neighbors the fair lead is holding up very well. Was thinking I might either clean and touch up paint soon or rub it down with wd40.

 

[razzman1]

How do you access the clutch lever with this hidden design? I can see the lever in the pictures with the grille off, but with the grille on, I don't see how you can turn it. Pop the hood up?

 

[tonytoshiba]

Push ATF hose back?

Hi, I'm glad to see this installed on a 4th gen.
I just ordered this for my 2006 limited.
I'm concerned about the fit of the winch with the radiator tubing in the way. See photo. It looks like maybe you unclipped it and pushed it back behind the Winch. Is that right? What is that tube anyway and what does the "H" knob accomplish? Thanks for any guidance on this.

I contacted BudBilt as I want a 12,000 pound winch. BB wrote back and recommended remove the ATF hose and reverse mounting direction.
Don't know if this will assist you, but hopefully it will help somebody.

 

[tonytoshiba]

Winter weather

Installed slip loom - shout out to brutal guy for heads up

I use the steel cable. The synthetic rope could collect water and freeze, rendering the winch useless until thawed out.
We live in the mountains and collect snow and ice during the winter months.

 

[paulforeman02]

I know this is an old post, but I found it hard to find good photos before installing. Granted, it's not that hard, but I have some photos and steps.

Step #0: Remove the front bumper

Step #1: Remove the front bumper crash Bar (4 nuts inside the frame)

Step #2: Install the winch mount to the frame using the 2 inner nuts; leave them loose for now. No need to remove the bumper brackets fully either.

Step #3: Install the Winch to the mount plate using the Budbuilt-supplied fasteners. These got on the FRONT - the plate is countersunk to accommodate these. The crash bar goes right below these bolts once reinstalled, so you have to install the winch now before reinstalling the crash bar.

Depending on your winch, you may have to relocate the AC line on the right side. I drilled a hole further back on the bracket and secured the AC line with an insulated metal clamp.

I also had to remove the bracket in the middle that helps support the factory plastic bumper. I just bent it back and forth until it broke off because I'm lazy.

Step #4: Reinstall the crash bar - go ahead and tighten these nuts down to hold the crash bar to the frame horns.

Step #5: Install the U-bolts that hold the winch plate to the crash bar.

Step #6: Tighten down the frame horn nuts and U-bolts to hold everything tight. I tightened down the U-bolts until they were bending in the middle a bit. Should be good enough!

Step #7: Install factory bumper. Depending on your winch and remote control box, you may have to trim a LOT of the inside of the factory plastic bumper off. I had to cut a bunch of the supports to get the bumper to fit over my Warn EVO 10.
I relocated the control box back as far as possible to clear the factory bumper and grille. Still had to trim a bit of the bumper but the grille clears, so that's good enough!

 

[alia176]

strong work, thanks for taking the time to document.