Frame Horn Reinforcement Aftermarket Options – Master List & Guide

[Demon4x4]

I have the LOBO one. Pretty solid. Was fun getting the sawzall out on a 500 mile vehicle to cut the crash bars off. lol

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[Shrek27]

If I didn't already put on the LOD set I'd go with the Maximus.
LOD: Had to cut off some tabs to fit the skid plate. Has extra holes to drill if you want to use them. Also a PITA to use nuts/washers on back side in that tight space.
Maximus: 1/4" plate. That bend they added looks like it will add some good support. Welded nuts. No cutting, no drilling. Did I mention 1/4" THICK Plate!?

 

[Fordified1]

If I didn't already put on the LOD set I'd go with the Maximus.
LOD: Had to cut off some tabs to fit the skid plate. Has extra holes to drill if you want to use them. Also a PITA to use nuts/washers on back side in that tight space.
Maximus: 1/4" plate. That bend they added looks like it will add some good support. Welded nuts. No cutting, no drilling. Did I mention 1/4" THICK Plate!?

Yes I remember wrestling with mine especially since the bumper has the extra plates underneath. I believe there was a chop saw involved and I had to get my son to help hold stuff up which is out of character for me. (I have the tendon surgery scars to attest lol)

 

[Bikeric]

I guess I got lucky that the Havoc Steel Bender Winch front bumper came with horn reinforcements way back in 2022. They are bolt-on and replaced the flimsy factory nut plate. They wrapped over the frame and bolted together through the frame as well. Even cleared the factory crash bars but I cut those off for the Max Clearance kit anyway. Maybe they would sell their pieces separately?

 

[Finbox]

Just order the Ford winch kit, I got the whole kit, the winch, Fair lead, and everything delivered for $880

I think there’s 13 supporting pieces of heavy duty steel that mounts it.

 

[mjp2]

I have the LOBO one. Pretty solid. Was fun getting the sawzall out on a 500 mile vehicle to cut the crash bars off. lol

I wasn't aware that one even existed before this thread but it's now my preferred option. It's certainly pricey but I like the design and that it incorporates the high clearance body mount into the assembly.

 

[Blue Hen]

I bought the Ford performance winch kit. Not installed yet. Also have a TD kit not installed. I imagine the TD kit would interfere with the winch kit install. I could sell the TD kit if someone is interested. I will be heading to Wildwood next month.

 

[B22-2023]

I wasn't aware that one even existed before this thread but it's now my preferred option. It's certainly pricey but I like the design and that it incorporates the high clearance body mount into the assembly.

It certainly checks more than one box, is how I justified it, and it looks engineered for purpose. It plus my FabFours bumper tied in with the 4 bolts underneath, I look at my final setup and say OK now this is a truck (compared to the OEM setup) and no problem winching and stressing around there. Should help when bashing the end of that bumper into something too.

 

[Bikeric]

I bought the Ford performance winch kit. Not installed yet. Also have a TD kit not installed. I imagine the TD kit would interfere with the winch kit install. I could sell the TD kit if someone is interested. I will be heading to Wildwood next month.

Going rate for the TD kit is $10,000 so charge accordingly

 

[Yacktopus]

I used the ADD, the reinforcement would not fit as designed. Had to cut and bevel the bottom to fit within the frame. Cutting the factory nut plate was not a big issue, but was a bit tenuous to torque.
Would not use them again.

ah man, i just ordered a set of ADD... at the time when you installed them, did they come with spacers? how much of the factory nut plate did you have to cut?

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

I've been researching my options lately and figured I’d share the information I’ve collected in case it helps others doing the same. I’m still undecided on which kit I’ll go with, so in addition to feedback on the different options, let us know how the install went and which one you’d recommend—and why.

This thread is a master list of frame horn reinforcement options currently available (Listed prices as of June 2025). The goal is to make it easier for members to compare features, installation requirements, and overall value.

I'll keep the list updated as new products come out or as people post their experiences. If you know of another option or have used one of the kits listed, feel free to chime in with feedback or photos!

Company	Price	Thickness	# Pieces	# Bolts in Frame	Bolt-On	Factory Nut Plate	Finish	Notes	Image
Addictive Desert Designs	$159	N/S	2	1	Yes	Reused	Powdercoat (Hammer Black)
Lobo Offroad	$500	3/16"	2	2-3	Requires Cutting Crash Bar	Replaced	Powdercoat (Fine Textured Black)	Eliminates front crash bar/body mount and also reinforces frame horns. Essentially two products in one.
LoD Offroad	$89	N/S	2	2	Requires Drilling	Replaced with flange nuts	2-stage Powdercoat (Black)
Maximus-3	$175	1/4"	2	1	Yes	Replaced with square weld nuts	Zinc Coated?
Metal Tech 4x4	$250	1/4"	3	1	Yes	Reused (modified)	Raw, ready for paint	3 piece design bolts together, wraps around top of frame. Also uses factory bolt on top of frame
Motorworx Fabrication	$250	3/16"	1	1	Yes	Reused	Powdercoat (Textured Black)	1 piece design, wraps around bottom of frame
TD Distributing	$10,000	1/4"	2	2	Requires Drilling	Replaced	Raw, ready for paint	No longer produced, despite being one of the beefiest and well thought out options. Wraps around and overlaps on bottom of frame

Been using the LOD ones for well over 2 years on my 2021 Badlands.

 

[Tricky Mike]

I've been recommending Metal Tech. I hadn't seen the Motorworx offering before, looks decent too, it's obvious who they were inspired by...

Or Lobo if money is no object.

 

[Oldhippie]

I have a JCR Aluminum winch bumper and TD kit…done a few off angle pulls with no problem…very happy with the setup but drilling all them holes was a pita…

 

[telenerd]

For those that cut off their crash bars or added frame horns where are you mounting your external shock resivors?

 

[Demon4x4]

For those that cut off their crash bars or added frame horns where are you mounting your external shock resivors?

The Icon kit came with a bracket, which I’m sure you can get separately.

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