2021 Bronco Rough Country Hidden Winch Mount & Skid Plate Kit 51054

[mpeugeot]

Am I the only one who feels like this sort of trimming will both affect crash safety, and possibly cause the force exerted by the drivetrain to either warp the frame or damage the front diff in some way. From my experience with the RS, you want to bolster the mounts holding the various diffs/drivetrain pieces in place, not trim them back. It's a common issue for RS's with performance tunes to produce enough torque to actually twist the PTU (center diff) and destroy it, quite dramatically. One of the popular mods from Mountune is for reinforcing that mount:

https://www.mountuneusa.com/Focus-Rs-Ptu-Brace-Upgrade-p/2536-pbkt-aa.htm

The difference between the stock mount, and upgraded ones are massive -- I worry that trimming the Bronco's frame around the front diff will dramatically weaken its support as well. These parts of the install instructions worry me:

So both of these areas are non-structural, but, if you really want to get anal about it, you could do the following:

1. After removing the frame extensions you could either make a 1/4" thick plate to slide in and attach with 4 bolts. Alternatively, should you not wish to bolt a cover plate, you can weld a plate in place rather easily to box it closed.

2. After cutting the front diff mounts flush you could pin it in place for the purpose of keeping the location accurate. Alternatively, you could even weld that area if you want to really make sure that it will never move, but I think that a pin for locating it is a better option. As the function of the tabs is for location.

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[BoiseBronco]

No go on 2.7 engine either.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

So both of these areas are non-structural, but, if you really want to get anal about it, you could do the following:

1. After removing the frame extensions you could either make a 1/4" thick plate to slide in and attach with 4 bolts. Alternatively, should you not wish to bolt a cover plate, you can weld a plate in place rather easily to box it closed.

2. After cutting the front diff mounts flush you could pin it in place for the purpose of keeping the location accurate. Alternatively, you could even weld that area if you want to really make sure that it will never move, but I think that a pin for locating it is a better option. As the function of the tabs is for location.

There's no way the frame extension bits are "non-structural", right? They may not be load bearing, but they're definitely there for a crash structure purpose, no? How can we be confident the tabs on the front diff brace are only for locating it? They seem like they could be added deliberately to bolster any force on the diff that would act on it towards the rear.

 

[mpeugeot]

There's no way the frame extension bits are "non-structural", right? They may not be load bearing, but they're definitely there for a crash structure purpose, no? How can we be confident the tabs on the front diff brace are only for locating it? They seem like they could be added deliberately to bolster any force on the diff that would act on it towards the rear.

No, they do not appear to be there for any crash related purposes and they are minimally welded to the frame. They appear to be primarily for production purposes to allow proper frame positioning during production (that's my best guess). I would ask @Ford Motor Company for input on that, but we already know that they won't respond in any manner that would be considered useful.

As for the front diff brace, that's why I suggested a pin, the force necessary to overcome a 3/8" pin would exceed that of what those tabs would withstand. Those tabs are maybe 1/4", structurally inferior to the bolts or an additional pin and thus not particularly valuable with regard to preventing movement any more than a pin would be. Where they do shine is in ease of manufacturing. It is far easier to bend those tabs for the purpose of locating the brace than it is to put a 3/8" pin there.

I am not an engineer or lawyer, so do whatever you want, I know that I am not concerned about either modification provided that the surfaces are properly protected from corrosion.

 

[mpeugeot]

No go on 2.7 engine either.

More accurately, it's not plug and play with a 2.7 engine, there is additional work required. However, I would not go as far as to say that it's a no go. Below is my 2 door 2.7 w/ lux, tow, and mic.

 

[Stage 3 Motorsports]

And certainly anything is possible here is a pic from one of the other forum members of the setup with a mod bumper.

 

[da_jokker]

Come on heater relocation kit... That's all that's missing.

 

[mcinfantry]

And certainly anything is possible here is a pic from one of the other forum members of the setup with a mod bumper.

That is really clean looking
is there a writeup? Iirc the one i saw he had to cut the mount out to work with the fairlead

 

[Draykas]

I have a badlands with Mod bumper and installing with local dealership. we believe we have it figured out by installing the Rough Country tow hooks

 

[mcinfantry]

I have a badlands with Mod bumper and installing with local dealership. we believe we have it figured out by installing the Rough Country tow hooks

Im curious to see the results!

 

[mcinfantry]

I can’t get the search to work
I remember reading a measurement for maximum winch width for this mount

will it fit a warm platinum zeon? 24 1/4” width

 

[RustysBronco]

And certainly anything is possible here is a pic from one of the other forum members of the setup with a mod bumper.

I'd buy this tomorrow if I knew it would fit properly with no customization.

 

[Vellicate]

I talked to someone at RC today and still no info or eta on the Mod capable version. Waiting game continues

 

[redone17]

I talked to someone at RC today and still no info or eta on the Mod capable version. Waiting game continues

It’s been announced. Awaiting current stock to deplete - then, V2 will fit Modular and Capable bumpers.

A question that seems that hasn’t been answered still…do other winches fit?

Also, if one gets in some deep mud - how well do winches handle that (zero experience with a winch, but I’ve come to grips with the fact that I need one). Assuming you’d have to pull the plate, extend the rope fully and spend a good hour with a hose?

 

[Hamhands]

Looks like a good product for the money, I will probably buy and try it.

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