Warn Platinum 10-S Winch Install on Hidden Mount Problem

[4R Play]

I have the Undercover Hidden Winch Mount System and installing the Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S winch.

I'm not able to fit the front bumper skin back on without the bottom of the inside grill hitting the front face of the winch. I'd have to guess it's about 2" out too far.

I'm not able to slide the winch back further since the a/c line (?) is there. Was thinking I'd need the power relocation pack, but still don't see the grill clearing the body of the winch with it off.

I know the Expedition Overlands 4Runners have this same combo, and from their build video at 3:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l4_6hKnID0), looks like the winch is in place just fine behind the grill, so I know the combination works. See the searching I've done?

Only thing I can think of is raising the winch off the bottom plate to possibly clear the bottom grill bracket, but I feel that might change the forces too much on the winch plate/mount when pulling.

Any thoughts, or anyone that has installed the same winch on either the Undercover or Pelfrey hidden mount?

 

[cjacob316]

I have not installed this yet, but pics could help people see what you are referring to and give suggestions.

 

[4R Play]

1st pic is looking down, showing top of winch, with A/C line behind (top of pic). Very little space (< 1/4") between back of winch and A/C line.

2nd pic is basically from top of radiator looking down, showing the gap between the bumper fascia holes, and the mount holes on the truck they're supposed to line up with. With the grill pushed up against the winch, that's how close the holes are without bending/forcing it in.

3rd pic is a closer look downward, showing grill against top face of winch.

 

[4R Play]

I ended up just forcing the bumper on, so it is kind of bent around the winch top. It works, looks just ok, but I'm not really happy with it. In the Ex. Overland video, it looks like they maybe did the same; it looks a little rounded around the winch?

Because the top is pushed into where its supposed to be, the bottom is out a little from where it should be. Unless there's any other ideas, I may just leave like that for now. Unless I can raise the power pack 1-2", that might make the space needed for the grill to sit in more.
[MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION], I believe you have the Warn Platinum 8-S and a hidden mount, how did you find the install? Although I believe the 8 is likely a smaller footprint than the 10.

 

[BigredTEX]

I've got a Budbuilt hidden winch plate with a Warn 9.5 ti winch, which is similar in size to the Zeon line. That black pipe is not an A/C line, it is a power steering line. You will need to loosen the clamps and turn it upward to get the clearance you need. You will actually want to replace the soft lines at either end with new, longer sections of tubing because turning the hard line upwards will put too much stress on them and lead to premature failure.

 

[jrandom]

#1. I have a superwinch talon 12.5 with a budbuilt hidden winch plate, I realize you have a 2015 but the issue in regards to the PS line in common and known, you loosen hardware and carefully rotate it up and out of the way. I have a bit bigger winch body than the zeon and have a "safe" amount of room, I did relocate my solenoid (standard) but more out of convenience that necessity.

#2. & #3. See below

I know the Expedition Overlands 4Runners have this same combo, and from their build video at 3:35 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l4_6hKnID0), looks like the winch is in place just fine behind the grill, so I know the combination works. See the searching I've done?

I don't think they have any fears of cutting, bumper, smashing stuff out of the way in the name build progress. :

Good luck with it.

 

[4R Play]

Thanks for the tip on the PS line. I took it apart today, twisted the PS line back and the winch now fits just fine on the mount with enough room for the grill in place.

For anyone else doing this, I found this thread along with a few threads mentioned within it helpful for reference. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/160898-bud-built-hidden-winch-regrets-7.html

I didn't extend the rubber lines. Instead I loosened the clamps on each end to allow them to rotate as I moved the steel line back, then re-clamped them. It seemed to decrease the stress on the lines enough.

 

[4R Play]

Although I haven't properly used it yet, I'm really liking the Zeon Platinum winch. Pricey, but saved $200 with a 10% off coupon from 4Wheel Parts, and got in on a Warn promo over the summer where they included their winch kit with any of their winches.

The remote is a nice have. The battery in it recharges like a cellphone and it includes a USB cable to charge from the truck. So even if the remote battery is dead, plugging it in allows it to come on right away. No lag time with the controls either, they're pretty precise.

The other side feature I like is the built in power button on the winch. Leaving it off until needed should mean no power is siphoned from the battery when the truck is sitting for a bit.

 

[TE!]

Hate to bring back an old thread... anyone else have any experience with the Pelfrey or Undercover HWMS with a Warn Platinum winch and what they did to get around the power steering line.

Also, is it something that can be tackled in a single day as a DIY?