Rough Country Hidden Winch Install- 2.3 Badlands

[BROCK-O]

So I pulled the trigger and ordered the RC Hidden Winch Mount and 12,000 lb Winch Kit. Altogether cost about $900 which I think is great value, especially as the aftermarket prices and availability for the Bronco is ridiculous at this time. Everything arrived within 3 days… spectacular! The mount and winch are simple to install with minor cutting and painting under the truck. Very easy stuff.

I will say the recommended location for the winch control extension is not ideal as the hood will not close when the remote is plugged in, so I will be relocating that. (see picture below)

My dilemma with this kit since I found it has been the skid plate that comes with it. First of all, it isn’t designed to work with the steel mod bumper, so something has to be customized regardless. I also was not the biggest fan of how narrow it was. I know some will argue that it’s better for approach angle, but I love the aesthetic of the wider OEM skid. There is a 3 part video on YouTube where the OEM skid was used by just installing spacers and cutting in a place for the fairlead, but the angle for the cable is not optimal.

So, we decided to merge the two. This still requires 3/8” or 1/2” spacers for the skid to clear the front of the winch mount and a good deal of cutting both plates. After welding/grinding/cleaning, we sprayed 2 coats of bed liner which ended up looking like the OEM finish.

I’m very happy with the result. It is as sturdy as can be and the angle for the cable is perfect. I’m sure RC or another company will come out with the proper skid plates for a hidden winch and MOD bumper, but until then, this is 1 of 1.

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[RagnarKon]

I assume this impacts approach angle a little bit... but honestly it doesn't seem THAT bad and it also doesn't seem to block the intercooler at all. Seems like a nice kit overall.

Good job on merging their kit with the factory skid plate!

 

[AlpineDescent]

I assume this impacts approach angle a little bit... but honestly it doesn't seem THAT bad and it also doesn't seem to block the intercooler at all. Seems like a nice kit overall.

Good job on merging their kit with the factory skid plate!

OP, do you have a side shot so we can see what impact it may have on approach angle? Looks really good though.

 

[Tricky Dick]

That's pretty slick.. The loss of approach angle does concern me, and I bet the fairlead fills up will all sorts of crap.

 

[BROCK-O]

I assume this impacts approach angle a little bit... but honestly it doesn't seem THAT bad and it also doesn't seem to block the intercooler at all. Seems like a nice kit overall.

Good job on merging their kit with the factory skid plate!

Thank you! There are pros and cons for sure. This lowers the foremost edge of the truck by around 3" which will be improved after any lift and bigger tires. Pros include not blocking the camera and the cable won't be exposed to as many elements. I forgot to mention that its not too hard to engage the winch or free spool it, but the engine needs to be off as the pulleys are too close.

 

[redone17]

I forgot to mention that its not too hard to engage the winch or free spool it, but the engine needs to be off as the pulleys are too close.

What? That’s concerning. Isn’t it imperative to have the engine running while operating a winch?

 

[RagnarKon]

Thank you! There are pros and cons for sure. This lowers the foremost edge of the truck by around 3" which will be improved after any lift and bigger tires. Pros include not blocking the camera and the cable won't be exposed to as many elements. I forgot to mention that its not too hard to engage the winch or free spool it, but the engine needs to be off as the pulleys are too close.

The approach angle is definitely a solvable problem, but if it is so close to the pulleys that the engine can't be running that may kill the idea for me personally. Although I'm getting the 2.3L engine so maybe the pulleys are in a better spot on that engine (I assume you have 2.7L).

I don't have the High or Lux package—no camera or cruise control sensor to worry about, so honestly there isn't really any reason why I can't put a winch in the "normal" spot. I just prefer the look of the hidden winch.

 

[redone17]

I agree. The underbite mount and winch hanging 10-12” in front of the grill is not something I’m interested in.

 

[dcaero]

Nice work! I want this so badly for the 2.7

Just went under the rig to take a look at that heat exchanger and it's such a can of worms to open haha

 

[Bronco cat]

The approach angle is definitely a solvable problem, but if it is so close to the pulleys that the engine can't be running that may kill the idea for me personally. Although I'm getting the 2.3L engine so maybe the pulleys are in a better spot on that engine (I assume you have 2.7L).

I don't have the High or Lux package—no camera or cruise control sensor to worry about, so honestly there isn't really any reason why I can't put a winch in the "normal" spot. I just prefer the look of the hidden winch.

Actually that winch won’t work with the 2.7 Bc of its intercooler

 

[BROCK-O]

OP, do you have a side shot so we can see what impact it may have on approach angle? Looks really good though.

I’ve attached more images to the post to show this. Might only be 2” added to foremost edge.

 

[mds5917]

I don't think he means the pulleys are an issue when running the winch, but rather in reaching down to disengage the clutch manually (to free-spool). There is a large opening behind the radiator straight down to the winch and that is, I believe, what he is referring to.

It would not be any impediment to actually running the winch

edit: added pics from my install to show the view from above

 

[AlpineDescent]

I’ve attached more images to the post to show this. Might only be 2” added to foremost edge.

That is really well tucked up in there, should have only a very minor impact to approach angle and only in the very center of the vehicle. I'm sold - just need the large part that this all mounts to.

 

[Tricky Dick]

I don't think he means the pulleys are an issue when running the winch, but rather in reaching down to disengage the clutch manually (to free-spool). There is a large opening behind the radiator straight down to the winch and that is, I believe, what he is referring to.

It would not be any impediment to actually running the winch

With some ingenuity one might be able to extend the handle to a safer place too.

 

[Petey]

Going to copy this design completely! Nice work!

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