we are working on test fitting the 3d printed adapter pipe that will allow the mishimoto intercooler to work with the 3.0.
If I ever hit my skid hard enough to contact the winch, I have other issues.
I assume the HB mount has similar clearance to the OEM skid. It would hit the oil cooler protector horns long before the winch plate made contact.
I had talked to Alex/HB about including the write up I did for the Wagner install. Its really not too bad. I think the two most important parts are making sure the Condenser is not touching the intercooler at the intercooler welds, and having a proper rivnut install tool because the bolts method did not work for me in the hardened bronco frame.Hey all! I had the privilege of installing this hidden winch mount on my Bronco and I could not be happier with how it turned out! From the time Alex first started mentioning the possibility, I knew it was the answer to repeatedly smacking my previous winch mount on ledges and climbs. That winch served its purpose, but I wanted more clearance.
Alex and HammerBuilt really did a great job on this project, all around!
I opted for the Wagner high mount intercooler, as I did not have ACC to relocate. That kit is a little more DIY in that there are currently no instructions (I believe Wagner is working on that) and the hoses (for the 2.3L) needed to be cut to length. There are actually some great threads in 6G where others already figured that out and have some great pictures of their installation.
I put a custom touch on my install and modified my Warhorse Bronco light mount to accept the winch remote plug and mounted the rocker switch (another winch control input provided by MileMarker) in the cubby in front of my gear shifter. That allows for winch operation without needing to dig out and connect the wired remote.
HammerBuilt also had the clever idea to mount a light above the winch drum so you can take a peek and see how the line is spooling. I wired that to come on when the winch power is on.
The installation was straight forward, but definitely takes some time from start to finish.
Again, I am super happy with the end result and Alex, and the team, was great to work with! If you are looking for the highest clearance winch option out there, I believe this is it.
Nice! I know there have been raptor guys asking about this and without some kind of adapter for the split tubes there has not been an option to this point.
Awesome! Once you get it sorted, I’m in.
BUT... your winch is mounted upright with the plate on the bottom? right?.... Inverted the top (bottom) of the winch has nothing between it and the skid. BUT... It does look like there is LOTS of room between the winch and the skid, Its a fricken mile........ Which means there will probably never be an issue. Hell it is not even close... I thought it would be a lot tighter and the winch would be a lot closer to the skid.If I ever hit my skid hard enough to contact the winch, I have other issues.
Yours may have been one of the ones I consulted. I definitely had enough space between the condenser and IC, but there is the slightest amount of contact between the IC (not the fins) and the old grille shutter support. I am not too concerned about it but will keep an eye on it. I had a rivnut tool but realized it did not handle the M8x1.25 included in the kit. Overnight Amazon kept the project going.
Awesome product. funny thing is I’m on my way back from armadillo designs and I’m sitting in my hotel room in Sunland Park reading this thread. Just happy I’m leaving tomorrow morning or I’d be tempted to go over and check out your shop.NEW Hidden Winch Option – Highest Clearance Setup Available!
Hey Bronco6G!
After seeing countless different winch set ups on trails throughout the country, we noticed that there were too many tradeoffs for our liking. Winches mounted in front take away approach angle, restrict intercooler airflow, expose the winch to the elements, and not to mention disrupt the clean lines of the bronco.
We first tested a skid plate-mounted winch, similar to what we see on other hidden winches, but after just one trip, we realized the skid plate scrapes constantly and wasn’t ideal for our level of wheeling. That’s when we took a closer look at 4600 class King of the Hammers Broncos and noticed they were running short-drum competition winches. They were mounted much higher than a skid plate mounted winch. We thought about how to make that option available without crazy custom work. After extensive research, we landed on what we believe is the best option, the 10,000lb Mile Marker TM10K competition winch.
From there, we set out to engineer the highest clearance hidden winch kit available, all while ensuring zero drilling or cutting was required. After extensive testing including real-world abuse during United by Bronco last week, we are proud to release the ultimate hidden winch solution!
The Hammer Built Hidden Winch
By pairing a relocated intercooler from Wagner or Mishimoto with the Mile Marker winch, we’ve created the highest clearance hidden winch setup available for purchase. This design tucks the winch between the intercooler tubes and frame rails, keeping it completely out of the mud and water while retaining your factory approach angle. Plus, with the high-mount intercooler, you’re not just adding a winch, you’re gaining a performance boost too! Think of it as knocking out two birds with one stone.
The mount is designed around the OEM bumpers, but thanks to the separate fairlead bracket, it should also work with most aftermarket bumpers that have a similar ACC/OEM Intercooler opening. You can see on the gray Bronco, we made it fit with the ADD Pro bolt-on bumper.
Preorders Are Open!
We’ve ordered supplies for 8 kits and have 3 spots left. Preorder pricing for the mount is $450, with a $1000 deposit securing your order and purchasing the Wagner intercooler. The remaining balance will be due on shipping. First batch ships next week!
Key Features:
CNC cut/bent 1/4” steel mount with separate fairlead bracket
Got questions? Drop a comment or send me a DM to grab one of the last spots!
*Mishimoto intercooler required for Broncos equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control module
* Aftermarket bumpers may require modification for fairlead mounting or winch line clearance
Wish I could but I have meetings all day on Monday at work. Maybe will plan a trip back out .Stay another day and we’ll hit some border wall trails. If you have time we’ll go inside the volcanic crater and of course give you a tour of the shop!
Hey all! I had the privilege of installing this hidden winch mount on my Bronco and I could not be happier with how it turned out! From the time Alex first started mentioning the possibility, I knew it was the answer to repeatedly smacking my previous winch mount on ledges and climbs. That winch served its purpose, but I wanted more clearance.
Alex and HammerBuilt really did a great job on this project, all around!
I opted for the Wagner high mount intercooler, as I did not have ACC to relocate. That kit is a little more DIY in that there are currently no instructions (I believe Wagner is working on that) and the hoses (for the 2.3L) needed to be cut to length. There are actually some great threads in 6G where others already figured that out and have some great pictures of their installation.
I put a custom touch on my install and modified my Warhorse Bronco light mount to accept the winch remote plug and mounted the rocker switch (another winch control input provided by MileMarker) in the cubby in front of my gear shifter. That allows for winch operation without needing to dig out and connect the wired remote.
HammerBuilt also had the clever idea to mount a light above the winch drum so you can take a peek and see how the line is spooling. I wired that to come on when the winch power is on.
The installation was straight forward, but definitely takes some time from start to finish.
Again, I am super happy with the end result and Alex, and the team, was great to work with! If you are looking for the highest clearance winch option out there, I believe this is it.
Yes you have to remove all of it. No you don't get any DTC's. Can just leave the plugs open. I taped mine to block them off.
Nice DR!Stay another day and we’ll hit some border wall trails. If you have time we’ll go inside the volcanic crater and of course give you a tour of the shop!
I’ve had DTCs for both grille shutter motors for quite some time. Probably didn’t like all the dirt. They never set a check engine light though. So I just unplugged mine and taped off the connector ends. Unplugging will set a couple DTCs but it will not turn on the check engine light.
But the skid plate is not part of this mount...???.... run any skid plate you want.
We don’t make the skid plate. It uses whatever skid plate you have. Either OEM ford, or whoever manufactures your aftermarket skid plate
