Really looking for some advice on winch setup

[DaveWKC]

Hey all,

Just picked up a 2024 2.7l Badlands SAS + HIGH/LUX. Looking to turn it into an adventure/overlanding vehicle, that will be doing a lot of washed out BLM/Fire roads. I'd also be doing some moderate trails, and having some fun, but nothing like a dedicated rock crawler.

I have already ordered the OEM winch add-on as the price after discounts was just too good to pass up. However, as I am waiting for delivery to my closes dealer, I have been thinking about "hidden" setups, but it seems everything has its compromises. The Rough Country setup seems interesting, as it does not require a swapped intercooler, just relocation.

Has anyone who did the OEM winch wished they did the hidden one instead? What about the Rough Country hidden setup - anyone regret that? Knowing myself, I am probably overthingking it, and should just go with the OEM setup until at least the warranty runs out, but looking for advice from others that have been there and done that.

Thanks!

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[RagnarKon]

It's a trade-off.

The major benefit of aftermarket setups is many of them support Adaptive Cruise Control, the front parking sensors, and the camera. The OEM kit does not—they have you disable the sensors during the install. Although people have been able to make them work with a combination of 3D printed parts and aftermarket accessories.

In general, high-mount winches like the OEM kit are far more practical and easier to use out on the trail. Easy to get to when you are stuck, and keeps the winch out of the way of any mud/snow/sand/whatever. (Last thing you want to do when you are stuck in a mud pit is dig through the mud to try to find your winch.) But in my opinion hidden winches typically look better, and are usually more friendly when it comes fuel economy.

The best solution is probably a new bumper with an integrated high-mount winch plate, something like the WARN Elite series bumpers. But then obviously you're buying a new bumper. Can be pricey.

So... pick your poison. I don't think there is really a "right" answer, just whichever you prefer. Personally, I went with the OEM kit because several people have had durability issues with the aftermarket high-mount winches (primarily Rough Country). I also only have the Mid package, so no sensors or cameras to worry about in my case.

 

[DaveWKC]

It's a trade-off.

The major benefit of aftermarket setups is many of them support Adaptive Cruise Control, the front parking sensors, and the camera. The OEM kit does not—they have you disable the sensors during the install. Although people have been able to make them work with a combination of 3D printed parts and aftermarket accessories.

In general, high-mount winches like the OEM kit are far more practical and easier to use out on the trail. Easy to get to when you are stuck, and keeps the winch out of the way of any mud/snow/sand/whatever. (Last thing you want to do when you are stuck in a mud pit is dig through the mud to try to find your winch.) But in my opinion hidden winches typically look better, and are usually more friendly when it comes fuel economy.

The best solution is probably a new bumper with an integrated high-mount winch plate, something like the WARN Elite series bumpers. But then obviously you're buying a new bumper. Can be pricey.

So... pick your poison. I don't think there is really a "right" answer, just whichever you prefer. Personally, I went with the OEM kit because several people have had durability issues with the aftermarket high-mount winches (primarily Rough Country). I also only have the Mid package, so no sensors or cameras to worry about in my case.

Thank you for your opinion!
I’m curious about what functionality from the camera I would lose if I did the OEM with the camera relocation bracket from M2M. I’ve seen a few videos, and it looks like the biggest issue is that the treads do not lineup on the front crawler view. For anyone that has done this, is this something that could be adjusted? Or is it really a big deal?

 

[GreyZ]

I obviously prefer the hidden setup. To me there are too many compromises with the front mount, or the low mount hidden options (lobo and RC).
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ck-skid-plates-and-bumper.108000/post-2441761

 

[RagnarKon]

I’m curious about what functionality from the camera I would lose if I did the OEM with the camera relocation bracket from M2M. I’ve seen a few videos, and it looks like the biggest issue is that the treads do not lineup on the front crawler view. For anyone that has done this, is this something that could be adjusted? Or is it really a big deal?

Yeah your right. The camera itself will still work, it's just the 360 camera views won't "stitch together" or line up properly. Still very usable in my opinion. Some people really get bothered when they can see the seams on the 360 camera views. But I don't really think it's a big deal.

Then again... I'm someone who skipped the cameras altogether because I didn't feel they were necessary so... personal opinion question, I guess.

 

[TiKi-Bronco]

I am also looking for the best route to take. I have a 24 badlands sas and I bought the HF apex 12000 winch. I love the hidden options but don't want to cut brackets or relocate things on a month old vehicle. I would not have a problem doing any of that if it wouldn't void the warranty. Looking for the sleekest option that doesn't require cutting into any engine/cooling/intercooling systems. I don't mind relocating camera, park sensors or vehicle sensor.

 

[jtgensler]

I'll weigh in with my $0.02 here.
I'm running an aftermarket bumper, with the winch mid or high mounted.
I also have the Lux package on a Wildtrak, so camera, sensors, ACC, everthing.
I had to drill holes for my sensors & used the Lobo Offroad mounts for the sensors - $10/pc for 4 parts isn't bad, but they charged me $30 in shipping. Yikes.

I also made my own camera relocation bracket after reading a forum here.
I can easily make you the same bracket for like $25 & give you a link to the amazon page for the camera cable extension (I think it was $8). Then just a run of washer fluid hose & some hardware.
I reused the existing camera housing & bought some stainless hardware & used a gummy kind of glue that holds the camera in the housing, but will allow it to be removed without damage later if needed.

 

[DaveWKC]

I'll weigh in with my $0.02 here.
I'm running an aftermarket bumper, with the winch mid or high mounted.
I also have the Lux package on a Wildtrak, so camera, sensors, ACC, everthing.
I had to drill holes for my sensors & used the Lobo Offroad mounts for the sensors - $10/pc for 4 parts isn't bad, but they charged me $30 in shipping. Yikes.

I also made my own camera relocation bracket after reading a forum here.
I can easily make you the same bracket for like $25 & give you a link to the amazon page for the camera cable extension (I think it was $8). Then just a run of washer fluid hose & some hardware.
I reused the existing camera housing & bought some stainless hardware & used a gummy kind of glue that holds the camera in the housing, but will allow it to be removed without damage later if needed.

This seems nice - Can you send me some pics as to how the camera appears when in 360 and crawl mode? I notice yours is a lot straighter than others and wanted to see what that does for visibility and 360 view

 

[jtgensler]

This seems nice - Can you send me some pics as to how the camera appears when in 360 and crawl mode? I notice yours is a lot straighter than others and wanted to see what that does for visibility and 360 view

Yeah, I was going for simplicity. I work at a fab shop & couldn't justify spending the $ for what they're asking for these.
I used 6061 Aluminum, 1/8" thick & just made it fit a standard fairlead.
I might mess around with some kind of rear housing to hide the cable a bit better, but it's perfectly functional for now.

This is the regular camera view, so I imagine it's what Crawl mode would be ( I don't have crawl mode). This is what I get in 4L.

I'll take a picture of the 360 view when I'm on lunch. It's definitely distorted, but it's functional.
Conversely, you can just leave your camera in the stock location, it's just gonna have a winch for half the view.

 

[DaveWKC]

I obviously prefer the hidden setup. To me there are too many compromises with the front mount, or the low mount hidden options (lobo and RC).
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...ck-skid-plates-and-bumper.108000/post-2441761

Would you be willing to make another bracket and sell me one? I like how yours is set up

 

[RagnarKon]

Would you be willing to make another bracket and sell me one? I like how yours is set up

Quick heads-up: that bracket gets mounted exactly where the adaptive cruise control sensor is mounted.

Not a big deal for @GreyZ's awesome install, because he has the High package, which doesn't have adaptive cruise control. But in your case... you would lose that functionality.

(Blue arrow pointing to the sensor.)

 

[DaveWKC]

Quick heads-up: that bracket gets mounted exactly where the adaptive cruise control sensor is mounted.

Not a big deal for @GreyZ's awesome install, because he has the High package, which doesn't have adaptive cruise control. But in your case... you would lose that functionality.

(Blue arrow pointing to the sensor.)

Good call! I've come to the conclusion that there's no perfect solution. Or free lunch, for that matter

 

[Freebird32]

I installed BAMF winch bumper and Warn winch. Control box and solenoid under hood. It doesn’t block camera, sensors moved to new bumper, (ACC can be relocated, but i don’t have one). I posted pics in another thread.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/ford-winch-kit.111667/post-2490018

 

[DriveAllNight]

Personally I think Ford kind of screwed this one up, with cameras and sensors and an elegant winch set up, which they had to see coming.

I've never had a 360 camera setup in a vehicle before, and with almost 40 years of driving behind me, I can say you don't NEED it, but much like blind spot monitoring, once you have it, it's really nice to have. I'm sort of amazed how useful it is, in many situations.

What I'm saying is, it's easy to say, I can do without it, but if you already have it, I wouldn't be so quick to block it. I personally like the Lobo set up, (I don't have a winch ..yet) but every set up has downsides and tradeoffs, including weight.
I also like the rear winch set ups out there, but I really wonder if when you need it the most, it's just in the wrong location to help, making it worthless. Maybe not, maybe it's just a different way of doing things - I honestly couldn't say, but that's my gut instinct.

 

[DaveWKC]

Personally I think Ford kind of screwed this one up, with cameras and sensors and an elegant winch set up, which they had to see coming.

I've never had a 360 camera setup in a vehicle before, and with almost 40 years of driving behind me, I can say you don't NEED it, but much like blind spot monitoring, once you have it, it's really nice to have. I'm sort of amazed how useful it is, in many situations.

What I'm saying is, it's easy to say, I can do without it, but if you already have it, I wouldn't be so quick to block it. I personally like the Lobo set up, (I don't have a winch ..yet) but every set up has downsides and tradeoffs, including weight.
I also like the rear winch set ups out there, but I really wonder if when you need it the most, it's just in the wrong location to help, making it worthless. Maybe not, maybe it's just a different way of doing things - I honestly couldn't say, but that's my gut instinct.

100% agreed with you on all points here.
Seems it would have been stupid easy for Ford to just release a few brackets with the kit and call it a day...

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