I recently completed an install of a "Hooke Road" branded 4Runner bumper, and a Badland 12k winch (not Apex). Just wanted to post a picture and give my impressions for those interested in my experience. Not here to do a install tutorial, that's been done a million times and I don't need to rehash what you can find multiple times over on YouTube.
First let me start by saying, that I originally wanted to go with the Warn bumper and Warn winch. Ultimately I decided against it for a few reasons. The Warn bumper and winch would of set me back over $1600 bucks, whereas my cheap Chinese stuff was under $700 all in. When I looked into a Warn winch and became familiar with it, I learned that the one I was interested was actually made in China. That bummed me out a little, if I am going to pay premium price for a Warn (a company out of Oregon) I didn't like the idea of paying made in America kind of prices for made in China stuff. As far as the Warn bumper goes, I don't know... Made in China too? No idea.
So I decided for the money, let's just go with the China stuff without the privilege of paying "Made in America" prices for what amounts to a sticker. I do understand that the Warn brand has the company standing behind it and that meets certain standards... I get it. In short, without writing a book about it. I got the bumper for $319 because it was a scratch and dent special and it ended up being nearly like new. I figured if the bumper was all that bad, I could just reinforce it my self or use it as a template to build a better one. Truth be told, the bumper is reasonably decent, and is made with steel similar to the bigger name brand bumpers so I am going to stick with it for now. The Badland winch has a reputation (from everything I've researched online) of being decent, but agonizingly slow...
It's increasingly hard to find Made in America. Maybe that's partly our faults for shopping at Walmart. Only time will tell how good this combo will endure. Before you judge me though, go around your house and throw out all your made in China stuff first. Just wanted to say my experience for the money was ok. I am willing to pay more then twice the money for Made in America, when I can at least feel I am getting relative value for that cash.
First let me start by saying, that I originally wanted to go with the Warn bumper and Warn winch. Ultimately I decided against it for a few reasons. The Warn bumper and winch would of set me back over $1600 bucks, whereas my cheap Chinese stuff was under $700 all in. When I looked into a Warn winch and became familiar with it, I learned that the one I was interested was actually made in China. That bummed me out a little, if I am going to pay premium price for a Warn (a company out of Oregon) I didn't like the idea of paying made in America kind of prices for made in China stuff. As far as the Warn bumper goes, I don't know... Made in China too? No idea.
So I decided for the money, let's just go with the China stuff without the privilege of paying "Made in America" prices for what amounts to a sticker. I do understand that the Warn brand has the company standing behind it and that meets certain standards... I get it. In short, without writing a book about it. I got the bumper for $319 because it was a scratch and dent special and it ended up being nearly like new. I figured if the bumper was all that bad, I could just reinforce it my self or use it as a template to build a better one. Truth be told, the bumper is reasonably decent, and is made with steel similar to the bigger name brand bumpers so I am going to stick with it for now. The Badland winch has a reputation (from everything I've researched online) of being decent, but agonizingly slow...
It's increasingly hard to find Made in America. Maybe that's partly our faults for shopping at Walmart. Only time will tell how good this combo will endure. Before you judge me though, go around your house and throw out all your made in China stuff first. Just wanted to say my experience for the money was ok. I am willing to pay more then twice the money for Made in America, when I can at least feel I am getting relative value for that cash.
