What’s wrong with the factory installed which?

[Rubisquatch]

I think it’s a bit overpriced, although Warn is great. I’m personally holding out for a bumper which will house the winch inside of it. I hate the platform this winch sits on as it sticks out way to far for my liking.

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[Studawg]

You are giving up some approach angle with this set up as well. Aftermarket will have many more options for similar or less money after a short time. Personally I am holding out for a Warn 8274, hands down my favorite winch.

I agree the 8274 is the best winch. I had one on a previous LC that was 40 years old, leaked all the oil out, and I still used it all weekend long on some very heavy long pulls, never missed a beat. But it is bulky and mounting one to the front of a Bronco is probably going to be tricky.

I disagree though that this factory winch set up hurts approach angle. Thats the thing I like about it the most....

The angle from the bottom of the front tire to the bottom of front bumper extends right along through the bottom of the winch mount.

I think its about as good as it can get.

 

[SevenT]

Factory installed cost of $2,500. The winch and cable better be made out of gold. Overpriced and shitty placement of the control box make me want to do my own at 1/4th the price.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

What’s really wrong with the factory installed Warn Zeno 10 winch? Good brand, reliable install with a Bronco/Ford mounting solution (assuming it matches the photo below).

The retail price of the winch is $1200 ( https://www.warn.com/zeon-10-winch-88990 ), plus a Warn mounting system is close to another $1000. Add a few hours of labor and a Ford warranty, and you’re close to $2500 with NO aftermarket hassle or waiting for vendors to get mounting systems designed or fabricated (and baked into your financing).

if you're NOT getting the front camera and don’t need to debate synthetic v. steel, what am I missing?

That winch is $1000 with wire rope and $1200 with synthetic.

I can buy a winch and winch mount capable steel bumper on a JL for less than $1000 and it wouldn't block the front camera

So:
a) overpriced for the value
b) blocks the camera looking down on trail obstacles
c) probably reduces entry angle
d) wire rope adds weight

 

[Bullseye]

I agree the 8274 is the best winch. I had one on a previous LC that was 40 years old, leaked all the oil out, and I still used it all weekend long on some very heavy long pulls, never missed a beat. But it is bulky and mounting one to the front of a Bronco is probably going to be tricky.

I disagree though that this factory winch set up hurts approach angle. Thats the thing I like about it the most....

The angle from the bottom of the front tire to the bottom of front bumper extends right along through the bottom of the winch mount.

I think its about as good as it can get.

I agree with the factory mount being as good as it gets right now. I myself thought, at first, that the factory setup stuck out too much or looked funny, but I think that's because the factory bumper is actually more tucked in than a Wrangler bumper. So given that, Ford had no choice but to have that winch stick out that far (compared to the bumper). If you look at where the winch is right now in the pic above, it's pretty close to the grill and can't be tucked in any further. On a wrangler, a winch could pretty much sit right on top of the factory bumper and look more "flush" with the front end, even though it's no closer to the grill than the Ford.

 

[Hoofnmouth]

Wait till aftermarket the choices will be amazing

 

[Toffs]

Keep in mind that Warn offers a kit that relocates the control module (under hood) providing less obstruction for the front camera. I do not think the price is unreasonable for what you are getting.

 

[lowmpg]

The price tag is what's wrong with it. You can get a WARN VR12 (12k lbs) for under a grand, why shell out 2K+ to Ford?

 

[Bullseye]

The price tag is what's wrong with it. You can get a WARN VR12 (12k lbs) for under a grand, why shell out 2K+ to Ford?

You're also comparing a VR series winch with a Zeon. BIG difference.

 

[lowmpg]

You're also comparing a VR series winch with a Zeon. BIG difference.

Oh absolutely true, but for what most people will use a winch for a V12 would be fine. Here is probably a more realistic comparison: https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/winch-selection-warn-vr-evo-zeon-or.2400666/

 

[Bullseye]

Oh absolutely true, but for what most people will use a winch for a V12 would be fine. Here is probably a more realistic comparison: https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/winch-selection-warn-vr-evo-zeon-or.2400666/

Also, we do have to concede that the winch Ford is offering is the steel cable version. Sure, synthetic is only a couple hundred dollars more, but you'd think they could've sprung for that considering the price they are charging.

 

[lowmpg]

Also, we do have to concede that the winch Ford is offering is the steel cable version. Sure, synthetic is only a couple hundred dollars more, but you'd think they could've sprung for that considering the price they are charging.

Again why it pays to read some Wrangler forums and understand how/when/why winches get selected. My guess is more than a few will buy it for the look alone.

 

[sanford]

Great options and information. The big issue comes down to mounting the damn thing. Will ARB come up with a mounting solution better [and cheaper?] than the Ford version? I trust ARB can do it, but is it worth the time waiting [and not wrapping the cost in the financing package]? Why not bite the bullet? Especially if you're not getting a front trail camera with the MID package/BD? The Ford solution looks nicer and more integrated than we'll get from a third-party (only if the brush bar is low).

 

[Silver-Bolt]

I will be going aftermarket for both the winch and bumper. Something like this.

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