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I'm considering a Rough Country Hidden Winch on my 2023 Badlands Non-SAS Lux. How much clearance will I lose?
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No, your Bilstein's are not adjustable. I think the added weight will drop you 0.5"-0.75" in the front. That height can be regained various ways, but not for free.So, I'm curious - does the RC bash plate hang lower? How much would the added weight lower the frame? Perhaps the Bilstein's are adjustable?
I guess the plate is probably about the same weight as the stock plate I have - most winches are around 70lbs. Not a ton. Harbor Freight Badlands is just a bit over 60. I love that Smitty Built but it is a bit expensive. As little as I think I'll need it, I suspect the Badlands will be just fine from most reports. Not sure I want to operate a winch from the cabin, anyway, due to geometry and winch loads (from a safety standpoint).You will lose a tad amount of approach angle because of the shape of the skid plate required for the fairlead. The only vertical clearance you’ll lose is due to the weight of the winch and plate.
I feared cutting tabs, but really it was easy and relatively painless. The instructions tell you to trim the diff mount also, which I did, but discovered I wouldn't of had to, check first.This is all very helpful - thank you - I have the metal bash plates (Badlands). One reason I hate to buy RC - hate to pay for something I already have....
Another question, how comfortable is everyone that the tabs that have to be cut off (2.3L) are there strictly for assembly purposes and have no structural purpose?
But you don't have a metal bash plate that can even mount a winch or the fairlead. The RC is two pieces underneath; the winch cradle mount and then the fairlead skid forward of that.This is all very helpful - thank you - I have the metal bash plates (Badlands). One reason I hate to buy RC - hate to pay for something I already have....
Another question, how comfortable is everyone that the tabs that have to be cut off (2.3L) are there strictly for assembly purposes and have no structural purpose?