Lightweight winch/bumper combo

[BroncoAZ]

I have a 2 door Badlands non SAS high package and love the way it drives and handles. I’d like to add a winch for self recovery, but I’m concerned that adding an extra 100+ pounds on the front bumper will cause the front to drop on braking and could impact the feel of the steering. I have the Mod bumper with the JCR prerunner tube currently. If the weight weren’t a concern I’d use the Icon winch bumper (122 pounds ) as I love the look. I’m thinking that I need an aluminum bumper that weighs around 50# to replace the mod bumper and JCR prerunner tube, then the additional weight of the winch would net less than 25 pounds. A secondary concern is keeping my front camera usable.

My current setup is 100 pounds:
Mod bumper 80 pounds (https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/oem-modular-bumper-and-skid-weights.44823/)
JCR prerunner tube 20 pounds

Aluminum winch bumper options:
JCR Vanguard , 50 pounds, $1699 plus the front camera relocation kit for $249. Looks good, will probably require a narrower front skid plate, the one from JCR is $519 for aluminum.
https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/BR6FV.html

Aluminess, 50 pounds, $2000. This one mounts the winch lower, but has the “overbite” on the approach angle. May also need a narrower skid plate.
https://www.aluminess.com/products/...22-bronco/?page=1&vid=4196491200&sku=210636.1

For winches, the Warn M-8000s is the lightest I’ve found at 55 pounds, it’s $1120 and probably a little short on pulling power for the Bronco but does meet the 1.5x weight of the truck guideline. The Warn 9.5XP is over $2000. The Warn VR Evo 10-S is 72.4 pounds. The Smittybilt X2O GEN2 10K is 63 pounds, not as well proven as Warn but on sale for $468 currently.

If anyone has any other aluminum winch bumper suggestions please post them.

Pics of the JCR bumper

Pics of the Aluminess bumper

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[7sKnuckledragger]

Looks good from the front but your approach angle is terrible with that. I dunno what the option is but good luck

 

[JohnG]

I have a 2 door Badlands non SAS high package and love the way it drives and handles. I’d like to add a winch for self recovery, but I’m concerned that adding an extra 100+ pounds on the front bumper will cause the front to drop on braking and could impact the feel of the steering. I have the Mod bumper with the JCR prerunner tube currently. If the weight weren’t a concern I’d use the Icon winch bumper (122 pounds ) as I love the look. I’m thinking that I need an aluminum bumper that weighs around 50# to replace the mod bumper and JCR prerunner tube, then the additional weight of the winch would net less than 25 pounds. A secondary concern is keeping my front camera usable.

My current setup is 100 pounds:
Mod bumper 80 pounds (https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/oem-modular-bumper-and-skid-weights.44823/)
JCR prerunner tube 20 pounds

Aluminum winch bumper options:
JCR Vanguard , 50 pounds, $1699 plus the front camera relocation kit for $249. Looks good, will probably require a narrower front skid plate, the one from JCR is $519 for aluminum.
https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/BR6FV.html

Aluminess, 50 pounds, $2000. This one mounts the winch lower, but has the “overbite” on the approach angle. May also need a narrower skid plate.
https://www.aluminess.com/products/...22-bronco/?page=1&vid=4196491200&sku=210636.1

For winches, the Warn M-8000s is the lightest I’ve found at 55 pounds, it’s $1120 and probably a little short on pulling power for the Bronco but does meet the 1.5x weight of the truck guideline. The Warn 9.5XP is over $2000. The Warn VR Evo 10-S is 72.4 pounds. The Smittybilt X2O GEN2 10K is 63 pounds, not as well proven as Warn but on sale for $468 currently.

If anyone has any other aluminum winch bumper suggestions please post them.

Pics of the JCR bumper

Pics of the Aluminess bumper

If you’re looking for excuses to buy extra bumpers go for it, but I simply added a $200 winch plate and a warn 9.5k winch onto my mod bumper and there is zero noticeable effects on driving/braking.

 

[Ranbronc]

28 pounds

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-60240.htm

 

[BroncoAZ]

Looks good from the front but your approach angle is terrible with that. I dunno what the option is but good luck

The Aluminess approach angle (last picture) doesn’t look good. Compromises have to be made in design to get the winch lower. The JCR looks acceptable to me.

If you’re looking for excuses to buy extra bumpers go for it, but I simply added a $200 winch plate and a warn 9.5k winch onto my mod bumper and there is zero noticeable effects on driving/braking.

I like that setup and would consider it, it’s cheap and effective with a good approach angle. With the Smittybuilt winch I’d be all in for $750 instead of over $3000. Others in the thread for it are commenting that they notice the weight in brake dive and heavier steering on the 2.3L like I have. The recommendation was to swap the 2.7L springs onto the 2.3L truck to compensate for the weight. I’ve seen conflicting reports on the weight of the mount, but I think it’s 49 pounds. I also like the Lobo skid plate replacement, but I can’t see how the winch would function well if you can’t see the cable spooling to monitor it packing up on one side and can’t easily reach the freespool handle.

28 pounds

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-60240.htm

I saw their bumper on the spreadsheet. There isn’t a weight listed on their add on steel winch mount, but it looks pretty minimalist so probably under 25 pounds. There design is a little too home built looking, but I like how tucked in the bumper is and the winch mount is a little lower than others. This is a lame reason not to consider it, but honestly I couldn’t live with their logos predominantly on several surfaces. Everyone is going to logo their products, but RH goes over the top with their 1990’s inspired logo.

 

[SuzH]

If you’re looking for excuses to buy extra bumpers go for it, but I simply added a $200 winch plate and a warn 9.5k winch onto my mod bumper and there is zero noticeable effects on driving/braking.

Looks good! Link for winch plate?

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Change your front springs to 4-door springs. That will take care of the extra weight issues.

 

[JohnG]

Looks good! Link for winch plate?

It’s just the Rough Country high clearance plate. Lots of threads here about it. Great product and value

 

[Jdc]

I’ve seen conflicting reports on the weight of the mount, but I think it’s 49 pounds.

It's 36lbs. I asked in them and that was their reply

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