Damage while using winch on improperly installed Rough Country High Mount

[Tricky Dick]

********EDIT 2*********
There is damage to the frame horn face plates in addition to the RC mount ears.

**********EDIT*********
OK....so this is highly embarrassing and I feel like a total idiot but I need to come clean. At least some good discussion became of it and my Bronco is undamaged. I still believe after seeing the DV8 bumper video, this scare, and how Ford does it from the factory, that LOD plates or similar are wise.

I got it dissembled and it turns out this is 100% on me.

I left out some very crucial parts.

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Nope, don't like that. The whole bumper and mount is pitched forward. There used to be 1/4" clearance between these wires and the grill.

I'm going to have to shim it back out and add some kind of reinforcement.

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[RagnarKon]

Wait so... did you hit something or was it just the weight of the winch??

 

[Tricky Dick]

Wait so... did you hit something or was it just the weight of the winch??

It happened during a winch pull.

 

[cbrownabq]

Shit, Im about to mount mine. More details please.

 

[RagnarKon]

It happened during a winch pull.

Ohhhh... yeah. That makes more sense—don't know why that didn't occur to me.

Definitely sucks, and it confirms my fears. One of the reasons why I've been hesitant about the JCR mount is for the same reason. I had a feeling if you got a winch pull at the right angle you could bend something.

Just seems like a complete bumper replacement is the right way to go so you don't create a level-type setup that'll bend the front end. I just haven't seen an aftermarket bumper I really liked yet.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Shit, Im about to mount mine. More details please.

Buried to my frame in wet snow. Nose uphill a little so it pulled downwards. 10k winch didn't even bog down.

 

[cbrownabq]

Damn dude. That sucks. Please post more on this as you reinforce it. Ill do that as well I guess….

 

[MNBronc]

You think the LOD brackets would have helped with that?
https://lodoffroad.com/products/2021-bronco-black-ops-front-bumper-frame-tie-in-brackets

 

[Tricky Dick]

You think the LOD brackets would have helped with that?
https://lodoffroad.com/products/2021-bronco-black-ops-front-bumper-frame-tie-in-brackets

Yes, I do. I hope they come back into stock I will buy a set.

Weird, it said out of stock the first time I looked now they have them.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Ohhhh... yeah. That makes more sense—don't know why that didn't occur to me.

Definitely sucks, and it confirms my fears. One of the reasons why I've been hesitant about the JCR mount is for the same reason. I had a feeling if you got a winch pull at the right angle you could bend something.

Just seems like a complete bumper replacement is the right way to go so you don't create a level-type setup that'll bend the front end. I just haven't seen an aftermarket bumper I really liked yet.

The difference between the RC and the JCR is two bolts into the frame where the tow hooks are on both sides versus all four. Wonder if that would make a difference?

 

[fordbroncowildtrak2023]

The possibility of frame horns bending is now going to be a major consideration of any bumper/winch I look at in the future. That DV8 rescue by Matt's Off-Road Recovery was an eye opener and now this.

 

[Bentpushrod]

That sucks! Did you see the video of the DV8 Bronco, they bent theirs when Matt’s Off Road Wrecker picked up on the bumper. Looks like a weak spot.

 

[Grumpy]

Did you bend the frame horns or stretched the bumper mounting plates that are welded to the frame horns?

 

[mcinfantry]

I’m also curious if/when I use my lobo winch how it will hold up to off Angie pulls

 

[Tricky Dick]

The difference between the RC and the JCR is two bolts into the frame where the tow hooks are on both sides versus all four. Wonder if that would make a difference?

I don't think it would matter but maybe? I might have only bent that inner ear.

Did you bend the frame horns or stretched the bumper mounting plates that are welded to the frame horns?

It miiight be just the plates. I won't know until it's apart.

Vivid Racing has the LoD brackets in stock, I just ordered a set.

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