Rough country winch mount unbox/ INSTALL tips.

[JohnG]

It is done. Base model=no camera or sensor relocation=quick install.

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[Bronco1988]

It is done. Base model=no camera or sensor relocation=quick install.

Looks great!

 

[Bronco1988]

Ok. Problems.

1. The box is just HUGE.

2. It's way to big to fit in BAMF location in front of the battery.

3. The only viable space is near passenger firewall... right next to the turbo. Nope.

4. The heat exchanger leaves no room under the bash plate without relocation.

5. I want to cut off the casing parts that make it so big... but I opened the case there's a better solution.

6. None of this stuff is waterproofed. They put a nice rubber cover over the power switch and remote cable... which gives you a false impression of watertightness... because from the underside (surprise), the edges have up to a 1/4" gap between the two halves of the casing. Some of the components (like the bluetooth relay) don't look like anything I'd expose to any weather at all. WTF?

So since the "guts" of it look small and removeable, I'm inclined to get a waterproof electronics project box and reassemble all that kit in a MUCH more manageable (and protective) casing.

Loving the winch. Hating the control box. Part of me is considering just putting it back on top of the winch... but I risk wanting to throat-punch myself every time I looked at it.

So this is no longer a 'tonight' project. For now, a couple of frosty Guinness adult beverages will help me decide the plan of attack.

Great info. I think I'm leaning towards the Smitty bilt winch due to the control pack dimensions being around 3"x7"x3.5" when I did some quick measurements at 4wheel Parts the other day.

 

[Razorbak86]

Ok. Problems.

1. The box is just HUGE.

2. It's way to big to fit in BAMF location in front of the battery.

3. The only viable space is near passenger firewall... right next to the turbo. Nope.

4. The heat exchanger leaves no room under the bash plate without relocation.

5. I want to cut off the casing parts that make it so big... but I opened the case there's a better solution.

6. None of this stuff is waterproofed. They put a nice rubber cover over the power switch and remote cable... which gives you a false impression of watertightness... because from the underside (surprise), the edges have up to a 1/4" gap between the two halves of the casing. Some of the components (like the bluetooth relay) don't look like anything I'd expose to any weather at all. WTF?

So since the "guts" of it look small and removeable, I'm inclined to get a waterproof electronics project box and reassemble all that kit in a MUCH more manageable (and protective) casing.

Loving the winch. Hating the control box. Part of me is considering just putting it back on top of the winch... but I risk wanting to throat-punch myself every time I looked at it.

So this is no longer a 'tonight' project. For now, a couple of frosty Guinness adult beverages will help me decide the plan of attack.

Sounds doable, but difficult.

Do you really care how tall the control box is, if you can simply relocate the front camera to above the fairlead with Jcr’s camera relocation kit?

I realize it is not cheap, but it’s well designed and logically positioned.

 

[unfortunate]

Finally got my trim pieces trimmed and installed this evening. Worst part of the install IMO.

Did you use a routing bit or spinning disc to cut? I’m about to do mine..

 

[Rus-T]

Did you use a routing bit or spinning disc to cut? I’m about to do mine..

I used a oscillating multi tool blade for the straight cuts and a dremel with a sanding bit for the curved part then I took the dremel with a polishing bit to smooth and clean up the cuts.

 

[unfortunate]

I used a oscillating multi tool blade for the straight cuts and a dremel with a sanding bit for the curved part then I took the dremel with a polishing bit to smooth and clean up the cuts.

Thank you

 

[akturbo]

Reach in push the top tab up and the bottom tab down. You do not need a lot of force. Then push the sensor in.

You are my favorite person today!! That was so easy, it took 5x longer to reinstall since I'm not installing until tomorrow (or now maybe tonight).

For others, the tabs mentioned basically surround the sensor, you're pushing them open (up and down) and the sensor pops out.

Adding pic. I must need written, photo and video instructions, but well worth not having to remove the bumper.

 

[‘21OBX]

For anyone trying to use the LOD frame tie in kit. Well it sucks. It does not fit with the modular bumper and hits the steel bash plate as well. Of course you don’t know this until your trying to put the bumper on. This on top of the cheapest bolts and nuts, washers available. So tomorrows project since I’m frustrated about it, is to take the bumper off and cut the bottoms off of the frame tie ins and prime paint them so I can continue

 

[‘21OBX]

You are my favorite person today!! That was so easy, it took 5x longer to reinstall since I'm not installing until tomorrow (or now maybe tonight).

For others, the tabs mentioned basically surround the sensor, you're pushing them open (up and down) and the sensor pops out.

Adding pic. I must need written, photo and video instructions, but well worth not having to remove the bumper.

 

[akturbo]

x2 vids

Even more awesome, thank you! After finally finishing the Fabtech 1.5" spacer install front and rear last night, any pain that can be saved is much appreciated!

What's the LOD kit for?

 

[‘21OBX]

Even more awesome, thank you! After finally finishing the Fabtech 1.5" spacer install front and rear last night, any pain that can be saved is much appreciated!

What's the LOD kit for?

Well when I installed my wife’s ford performance winch it has frame stiffening brackets that come with the kit. Me being me I figured well if ford reinforced the frame ends there’s a reason. LODoffroad was the only set I found available. It’s not a huge deal it just would have been nice in the install directions to say if using ford oem steel bumper trim here.

 

[66GT]

Sounds doable, but difficult.

Do you really care how tall the control box is, if you can simply relocate the front camera to above the fairlead with Jcr’s camera relocation kit?

I realize it is not cheap, but it’s well designed and logically positioned.

Yeah, I kinda punted on the solenoid relocation. You're right, I'll eventually need a camera relocation anyway (since removing the control box only kept the top half usable).

So the real question became keep half a camera now and still have to figure out the relocation... or just leave it on top and have a working winch today (but no camera). So now instead of being nice and sleek... it's huge... but at least it's functional. Hopefully I still get some radiator flow... lol

I also decided to mount up an OEM brush guard to frame it in and make it look less like an afterthought.

The only thing I don't look forward to about the camera relocation is having to remove the winch and the grille to remove the camera.

@Sreevie had a great idea if I decide to go on with the solenoid relication... and that's to just purchase a smaller control box. Always an option.

Does anyone know if camera relocation also moves the washer fluid line?

 

[‘21OBX]

M

Yeah, I kinda punted on the solenoid relocation. You're right, I'll eventually need a camera relocation anyway (since removing the control box only kept the top half usable).

So the real question became keep half a camera now and still have to figure out the relocation... or just leave it on top and have a working winch today (but no camera). So now instead of being nice and sleek... it's huge... but at least it's functional. Hopefully I still get some radiator flow... lol

I also decided to mount up an OEM brush guard to frame it in and make it look less like an afterthought.

The only thing I don't look forward to about the camera relocation is having to remove the winch and the grille to remove the camera.

@Sreevie had a great idea if I decide to go on with the solenoid relication... and that's to just purchase a smaller control box. Always an option.

Does anyone know if camera relocation also moves the washer fluid line?

it would be kinda nice to put the camera right below the winch since you don’t have the light bar. But then I’m sure it would get full of mud. I do believe the JCR kit extends both the washer hose and wiring.

 

[ne2000]

Yeah, I kinda punted on the solenoid relocation. You're right, I'll eventually need a camera relocation anyway (since removing the control box only kept the top half usable).

So the real question became keep half a camera now and still have to figure out the relocation... or just leave it on top and have a working winch today (but no camera). So now instead of being nice and sleek... it's huge... but at least it's functional. Hopefully I still get some radiator flow... lol

I also decided to mount up an OEM brush guard to frame it in and make it look less like an afterthought.

The only thing I don't look forward to about the camera relocation is having to remove the winch and the grille to remove the camera.

@Sreevie had a great idea if I decide to go on with the solenoid relication... and that's to just purchase a smaller control box. Always an option.

Does anyone know if camera relocation also moves the washer fluid line?

Yes the washer line needs moved, extended or capped.

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