Hidden Winch

[sandbuster]

Thought I had posted this yesterday but I must have vaporized it at some point. Anyway several months back I installed a winch up front that turned out good enough that I think it's worth posting - you can draw your own conclusions..:



The winch "tray" is a universal product from Harbor Freight ($50) - very slight modification needed. I cut out the crossbar that helps hold the inter-cooler in place but retained the mounts for the rubber grommets which held the inter-cooler at it's new laid back angle. I didn't desire a big hole in my grill to access the spool clutch so I devised another method to engage-disengage the spool - that's 15" 3/8s extension connected to a slotted o2 sensor socket - it works... If you look closely you can see where I cut off the mounting bracket horizontal bar. I've made several trips to TN & back with no issues so I guess all is okay. Very few people I know have noticed the winch unless I point it out to them.. Note: my apologies in advance if this thread is duplicated somewhere else of the forum.

 

[Yupster Dog]

Thought I had posted this yesterday but I must have vaporized it at some point.

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/2017-hidden-winch-install.56847/

 

[16ranchel]

Do you have any skid plates installed that it interfered with? Recently installed the rci engine and transmission skid plates and wondering about fitment in that area with it already being tight with the intercooler.

I love how hidden the winch is though. This is the only way I’ll be able to convince my wife we need to install one.

 

[sandbuster]

I don’t have any skid plates installed but I don’t see that being an issue but without seeing your setup I can’t say for sure.

 

[TXResponder]

Do you have any skid plates installed that it interfered with? Recently installed the rci engine and transmission skid plates and wondering about fitment in that area with it already being tight with the intercooler.

I love how hidden the winch is though. This is the only way I’ll be able to convince my wife we need to install one.

I have full skid plates, transmission cooler and a hidden winch installed with the Rough Country hidden winch plate for the F150. The only mod was drilling a third hole into the frame (where the F150 has an extra hole) and relocating the winch solenoid to not bump the transmission cooler. The RC kit has a solenoid relocation plate that works for the Expy too, so that was nice. I also welded tow hooks to the plate but that is definitely optional. I used the roller lead since i prefer steel winch cable and it's a little more obvious, but if you run synthetic winch line instead of steel you can have a much more subdued fairlead.