The Definitive Winch Thread

[BlueBronco]

I am going to have to wait til I get my hands on a Bronco to figure out a winch I can make work with the front camera. I don't want to have to relocate the front cam as I think that may skew the 360 "drone" view. And who knows what sensors Ford has tucked behind the center front bumper.

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[Johnny Mo]

I am going to have to wait til I get my hands on a Bronco to figure out a winch I can make work with the front camera. I don't want to have to relocate the front cam as I think that may skew the 360 "drone" view. And who knows what sensors Ford has tucked behind the center front bumper.

Then the Ford Engineers need to go figure that shit out and devise a relo kit that works or ensure that the available 200 accessories do not compromise the existing design. They have all been schooled in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing...open up your process engineering toolbox boys & girls and take out that FMEA (Failure Modes & Effects Analysis) template and get started!

 

[mtap]

I had a smitty on my Jeep and side by side. It’s frowned upon by some, but I’ve used it a few time on some trails and never had an issue...point of a winch is never hopefully use it lol. Synthetic over cable most definitely...for the bronco, i might splurge a little and get something “fancier” that people won’t look down upon so i don’t have to hear it lol. Install was a PITA so might just get the Warn from factory to save the hassle.

 

[Mattwings]

I am thinking the same way. If the modular (or an aftermarket supplier) can accommodate a 2” receiver mount in the front, I would definitely consider a removable set up. If I can get the mount, winch and synthetic cable in about 100lbs, it wouldn’t be much of a problem to mount and dismount. Here in MI, not having it exposed to all the salt in the suburbs and also not exposing the synthetic line to the sun (I know a cover takes care of this) would be a bonus too. Using it on the rear is a potential bonus, probably adds $100 to the price with another power distribution point, connectors and heavy gauge wiring. Downsides-the one time I need it, it won’t be mounted, the look may be clunky when it is mounted.

 

[da_jokker]

I have an Engo winch mounted to one of those Front Reciever mounts. Never got stuck to really need it but I've used it just to test.

Got one of those quick connects mounted in the grill... pretty nice setup.

But one drawback... I only hook it up when I know I'm going off roading. So it is not available if I just happen to be out or maybe do a little exploring while visiting a new area on a road trip..... so with the Bronco, I was planning on changing to a permanent bumper mount just so I know It will be ready whenever I'm out.

 

[N3T]

I apologize if I’m repeating a question that’s been answered before, but will the factory winch be operable with the accessory switches in the cab? To me, that would be really slick & worth adding on. If it isn’t, would it be hard to set it up like that?

 

[Bison]

Smitty built is a no brainer on cost and line speed. Definitely want synthetic if your going to move it around from front to rear. You save like 25lbs by getting rid of the wire line.

 

[da_jokker]

I apologize if I’m repeating a question that’s been answered before, but will the factory winch be operable with the accessory switches in the cab? To me, that would be really slick & worth adding on. If it isn’t, would it be hard to set it up like that?

I'm clueless, but just guessing..
No. You can't pull those kind of amps. Now if you bought a rated relay, then yes... I could see hooking the relay to the switch so that the winch would not be powered until you flip it.

Unless you were talking about actually using those for the In and Out signal... but even then, I would think you'd need relays...

Which gives me an idea... wonder if you could mount the winch controller to that dash bar?

 

[Bmadda]

I'm clueless, but just guessing..
No. You can't pull those kind of amps. Now if you bought a rated relay, then yes... I could see hooking the relay to the switch so that the winch would not be powered until you flip it.

Unless you were talking about actually using those for the In and Out signal... but even then, I would think you'd need relays...

Which gives me an idea... wonder if you could mount the winch controller to that dash bar?

Even the harbor freight winches now have a wireless controller available. Plugs into the solenoid block and your controller is wireless like an old fashioned TV remote. Biggest problem? DO NOT DROP IT IN THE MUD ONCE YOU ARE OUT! Or at least keep the regular plug in control handy!

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I am going to have to wait til I get my hands on a Bronco to figure out a winch I can make work with the front camera. I don't want to have to relocate the front cam as I think that may skew the 360 "drone" view. And who knows what sensors Ford has tucked behind the center front bumper.

We don't know enough yet what the final solution is going to look like, or even where the camera is going to be mounted. Depending upon where it is mounted, though, keep in mind that a lot of the current winches can have their solenoids mounted remotely - which *might* provide the needed clearance if Ford drops the ball.

 

[North7]

I'm clueless, but just guessing..
No. You can't pull those kind of amps. Now if you bought a rated relay, then yes... I could see hooking the relay to the switch so that the winch would not be powered until you flip it.

Unless you were talking about actually using those for the In and Out signal... but even then, I would think you'd need relays...

Which gives me an idea... wonder if you could mount the winch controller to that dash bar?

Bronco Aux Switches, cough... wire hookups are under the hood.

 

[Bmadda]

I apologize if I’m repeating a question that’s been answered before, but will the factory winch be operable with the accessory switches in the cab? To me, that would be really slick & worth adding on. If it isn’t, would it be hard to set it up like that?

You wouldn't want a toggle switch for that...you want momentary contact.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I had a smitty on my Jeep and side by side. It’s frowned upon by some, but I’ve used it a few time on some trails and never had an issue...point of a winch is never hopefully use it lol. Synthetic over cable most definitely...for the bronco, i might splurge a little and get something “fancier” that people won’t look down upon so i don’t have to hear it lol. Install was a PITA so might just get the Warn from factory to save the hassle.

Actually I think the newer line of Smittybuilt's are pretty nice, especially for the price. In a perfect world Superwinch would never have been sold off (and killed off the Exp line in the process). Yeah, Warn is the 800 lb gorilla but damn that's some pricey stuff. In any event I'm not real keen on the mounting solution we've seen so far on the Bronco steel bumper. I'm going Badlands so that will be my bumper but I'll probably hold off on a winch solution until I see what aftermarket bumpers, and winch mounting solutions, are offered. And count me in for synthetic.

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

I apologize if I’m repeating a question that’s been answered before, but will the factory winch be operable with the accessory switches in the cab? To me, that would be really slick & worth adding on. If it isn’t, would it be hard to set it up like that?

I doubt it'll come like that from the factory. But it can be done with a Warn power interrupt kit, to use an auxiliary switch as an on/off. For operation, use the remote.

 

[da_jokker]

Yeah that was what I was getting at primarily... a Master power switch if you will that cuts out power to the winch... then a controller (like the wireless) to actually operate.

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