School me on bumper/winch combos - 2016 Trail

[RaceAddict]

I'm looking for input from the members here. I need to get a move on with my Trail, particularly the recovery equipment. Tires are already incoming, so while I wait for those I need to get the bumper/winch combo sorted.

I'm looking for the most "user-friendly" set up. Unfortunately, the truck isn't a dedicated off-road or overland rig... it's a daily driver, about 20,000 miles per year, so things need to be kept moderate, relatively speaking. The winch will get used quite a bit though... not for pulling the truck out of trouble, but for extricating rally cars from ditches and forests. I'm part of the "sweep" team that covers many of the rally events in eastern Canada. When someone flings their rally car off a stage and into the woods, someone has to get in there and pull the car out. The team works almost exclusively with WARN winches so I'm pretty much set on that... but the bumper part of the equation has me stumped.

C4 and SSO are the two bumpers I'm looking at the most, so I'd like to hear anyone's opinions on either. (Or another option I've missed?)

As explained, the winch will see a lot of use. The recovery points will see a lot of tugging.

And unfortunately, where I live means the bumper will see a lot of winter, road salt, (damn I hate that stuff) etc. I've already accepted that I will likely have to redo the powder coat every two years or so... it just does not stand up to the winter abuse IMO, particularly on the front of a vehicle where it takes a lot of hits from stones, etc.

 

[SR5Bart]

If its for mainly pulling people out you can do the hidden winch mount or the SSO. But see below also

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gsear...of=FORID:9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=BUMPER/WINCH+COMBO

 

[JSparky]

Relentless has a low profile option too:

https://www.relentlessfabrication.c...cts/2014-4runner-stingray-lo-pro-winch-bumper

I wouldn't rule out an aluminum bumper either, costs more upfront but could save in the end on repeat powder coatings.

Whichever way you go, I'd look at getting a winch with Warn's wireless remote (unsure what your prior experience is here so I apologize if I'm preaching to the choir). Wires remote will save a lot of hassle over time. A battery switch on a relay with a button in the cab will save you having to pop the hood every time you winch. A safety thimble II and some soft shackles used with synthetic line will keep things light and safe. I preference the safety thimble over factor 55 products, it's a safer design with less to fail.

https://tacticalrecoveryequipment.c...oducts/winch-safety-thimble/safety-thimble-2/

 

[wfo9]

FYI, don't pull someone from the recovery points on the front bumper. It's fine for getting pulled.

The reason is you don't want the differentials pulling from the coast side.

Best bet is to always pull from the rear bumper. Winching from the front is fine, but it is obviously a slower, but more controlled way of getting someone out.

 

[Engineer]

FYI, don't pull someone from the recovery points on the front bumper. It's fine for getting pulled.

The reason is you don't want the differentials pulling from the coast side.

Best bet is to always pull from the rear bumper. Winching from the front is fine, but it is obviously a slower, but more controlled way of getting someone out.

^This ^ - Sounds like you would be a good candidate for a hidden winch mount. Had I not liked the look and really wanted a place to mount Lights I would have gone that route but the costs was so close to the Group buy price of the SSO I decided to go with SSO.

 

[e60ral]

You could also look into hitch mounting your winch, then you could just remove it when not in use and not worry about the winch. there aren't many parts to a hitch, so is should be easy to maintain for rust. I think CURT makes a front hitch. You could even run power to the rear and be able to mount your winch front or rear.

 

[RaceAddict]

^This ^ - Sounds like you would be a good candidate for a hidden winch mount. Had I not liked the look and really wanted a place to mount Lights I would have gone that route but the costs was so close to the Group buy price of the SSO I decided to go with SSO.

I'd originally thought of a hidden mount too, but given how much time I spend on rural back-roads (besides the rally stages) I really wanted a good light setup too, without having to invest in a new roof rack and lights up top right away.

 

[RaceAddict]

Another question:

What about the added weight? What do most do with the front suspension to compensate for the extra 65 pounds of winch and 75 pounds of bumper?

 

[Antman]

You could also look into hitch mounting your winch, then you could just remove it when not in use and not worry about the winch. there aren't many parts to a hitch, so is should be easy to maintain for rust. I think CURT makes a front hitch. You could even run power to the rear and be able to mount your winch front or rear.

Best advice so far IMO. Need a winch for the races? Bring it. Daily commute? Leave it home. Win/Win

 

[e60ral]

Best advice so far IMO. Need a winch for the races? Bring it. Daily commute? Leave it home. Win/Win

and the main "con" for hitch mounted winches for trail use is that you either have to store it in the cab taking up room or leave it attached to a hitch where it kills your approach/departure angle.

I assume the approach/departure angle isn't a big deal for race clean up, so throw that thing on the hitch and head to the races

 

[wfo9]

Rear hitch mount would definitely be the most practical thing... But I can tell that the OP is looking for an excuse to modify the truck...

And yes.. the front suspension will need some help to deal with the weight. Basically heavier springs, but it makes sense to put on a better shock while at it.

 

[RaceAddict]

Rear hitch mount would definitely be the most practical thing... But I can tell that the OP is looking for an excuse to modify the truck...

YES! :becky:

I should have mentioned it above... but it's true that while I am looking for excuses to mod the truck, I do plan on using it outside of the races.

What's the point of owning a truck like this if one isn't going to take advantage of it's abilities?

And yes.. the front suspension will need some help to deal with the weight. Basically heavier springs, but it makes sense to put on a better shock while at it.

Suggestions?

I know that Bilstein 5100s are a popular choice.

I'd like a proper lift, front and read, at some point in the future, but this year it's out of the picture ($$$) so something simple up front is all I need for now. Basically: an extra inch (give or take) when the weight is added would be the target.

 

[wellRed]

I just installed my SSO with a smittybilt X20. Install was do-able by myself, and I am very impressed so far.

 

[wellRed]

YES! :becky:

I should have mentioned it above... but it's true that while I am looking for excuses to mod the truck, I do plan on using it outside of the races.

What's the point of owning a truck like this if one isn't going to take advantage of it's abilities?



Suggestions?

I know that Bilstein 5100s are a popular choice.

I'd like a proper lift, front and read, at some point in the future, but this year it's out of the picture ($$$) so something simple up front is all I need for now. Basically: an extra inch (give or take) when the weight is added would be the target.

I definately sit a little lower in the front now, debating this very issue myself. I have toytec leveling set up currently. It does not look bad, but I can definately tell.

 

[Liquidmantis]

SSO and Warn 10k only dropped my front 1/4", but it's also sprung weight as far out as you can get it so I'd still recommend the suspension upgrade. I'll ditto the recommendation to spring for the Zeon so that you get the remote clutch release.