C4 Fabrication low pro bumper or hidden winch??

Can't decide on a C4 Fab low pro bumper or a hidden winch bumper. What do y'all think?

Also, looking to find one used if there are any out there.

 

If you have the budget, lo pro bumper with winch 100%. If you can only do the winch, save up for the bumper unless you prefer an OEM look.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

I have a Warn Hybrid bumper which is similar to the C4 Low Pro bumper. One benefit of the low pro over a true hidden winch mount, is I will frequently use my bumper to push over small trees / brush.

Main benefit of a hidden winch mount, is the low price and low weight.
No so good is the difficulty of accessing your winch controls.

Here's a couple more hidden winch mounts:
LFD
https://www.lfdoffroad.com/catalog/...n-winch-mount-with-recovery-points-5th-gen-4r
https://www.lfdoffroad.com/catalog/toyota/5th-gen/bumpers/adj-hwm

Rago Fab

 

Thank you!I didn’t think about the controls and the difficulty of working with a hidden winch, great point. Thank you again.

 

I've had the LFD Hybrid winch in mind since I purchased my vehicle. I'm hopefully going to order soon. https://www.lfdoffroad.com/catalog/toyota/5th-gen/bumpers/bumper-frnt-hybrid

LFD is one of the only bumpers that I've found that you don't have to stick your hands into a hole or slot and I can also stand off to the side and see the spool. That's just my preference. I live in a rural area so it's not unknown for critters that bite or sting to like dark spaces. I like where the hard points are located as well.

 

I really love those C4 front bumpers! The only thing I wonder is if I can fit the Onx6+ lightbar in there instead of the S8…

other than that I think it’s the best looking front bumper on the market.

 

Personally I went with a true bumper(SSO) like c4 ...seemed silly to have the winch but not the recovery points/protection of a steel one...+ I had already scratched the og one out wheelin

 

You may also beed heavier duty springs. After installing my bumper and winch, my front sagged a lot.

 

how much sag ? What spring rate did you have and replaced with ?

 

I don't know the exact number, but it was enough to alter the performance of the vehicle. It reduced my braking performance and made my steering more difficult as all the weight was on the front axles. If I had to guess maybe a up to a 2in drop. As for spring rate I run 700lb coils. I went this direction after lots of research and with the future proofing when I upgrade to steel skid plates and a roof rack. I know other members have used 650lb but I think some had some sag with those. In my experience running the 700lb coils for almost 2 years I would not go any different, no brake dive or body roll. If I can find my old thread where I asked about 650 or 700 coils I will link it.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/650lb-or-700lb-coils.6303/

 

I’ve been hesitant to install my winch because of this possible sag issue. I’m currently running 600# and already using the max preload. I also have rack, lights, lo pro bumper, sliders ans all of these add up in the front.

I was leaning towards 650# but now I think I will just go with #700.

 

I don't think the hidden winch are hard to access controls on. How often are you winching? 30 times a day? Then maybe. 3 times a year? No big deal. Plus most winches are wireless remote now so you pop the hood, work the clutch, and then go to town with the remote. Easy.

Hidden winch was my choice because I like a factory look. Other benefits are cost, weight, ease of returning to stock if you sell the truck.

Only real downsides IMO are lack of shackle mounts, but obviously opinions vary.

 

Thats a nice looking runner! IMO I would go with the 700lb coils. They can be a bit stiff in slow speed applications like a speed bump in a parking lot, but when going normal speeds they are butter smooth. I drive from central Texas to South East FL a lot and have no complaints on the ride quality. Im sure when I add more weight the ride will only get better. With that said, I remember asking my 4x4 shop when I was shopping for a suspension and called Toytech and they all recommend the 700lb.

 

I have the same as you(#650/+the winch, smittybilt x20) and it didn't effect my lift at all

 

I would be curious to know the ride difference between 700 and 650. I know when I had pro shocks and the bumper it was awful, but I think the pro shocks a 550 spring rating.

 

Yes that’s why I was in the shelf .. 650 or 700.

 

Yes I had the Bilsteins pro suspension prior to the 600# kings. Day and night difference

 

I have kings #600 on order, should already be here :/....... bout to swim out to the container ship and pick them up myself

 

Are you running any steel skids or rock sliders?

 

steel sliders(rsg).. 2 aluminum skids: og trd and gas

 

Okay, I was wondering what other extra weight you were running, I plan on going full set steel including gas tank to match my lower control arm skids, and wanted to see if you had full steel on 650.

 

As others have mentioned; which look do you prefer? You'll probably want to upgrade the suspension either way.

I went low-profile and am happy with it.

 

So your going from 650 to 600 ?

 

I have 730 springs from dobinsons and they are butter smooth but I also have the weight to back it up. 650’s weren’t enough with bumper, winch, dual battery, skids, 1/2 the weight of my sliders and my fat ass. The 730’s are so much better but even the 700# kings I had were great too. Dobinsons just didn’t have a 700 option when I ordered.

 

Both are great options. I have a hidden winch mount and been happy with it.

 

Yes, well maybe, I also have #650 springs ordered for the kings.....however when you buy aftermarket like icon, bilstein, fox, etc... they come with #600 unless you specify otherwise. When I got my 6112s, I knew I'd do a bumper/winch so I bumped up to #650. Kings come with #550 for what ever reason and "most" dont ever have a problem with them, however I'm a lil "freaked out that it'll sag, so I specified #600. I also ordered the #650 because the shop I work w/ said they wouldn't charge me for what ever pair I didn't use..so why not.

I decided against a dual battery setup and went with solar/solar charger and solar(battery)box, so that weight is in the back other than the controller which weighs nothing.

youre freaking me out more ...maybe I should have got 700s

 

I may have missed it, but which bumper did you get? I am looking for a hidden winch model that leaves the factory appearance as much as possible (within reason - of course).

 

I went with the hidden winch mount specialists. I went with the 2 optional recovery points tho. You can order them without to keep a more stock look.

http://www.hiddenwinchmounts.com/

There are a few other options out there. Here’s a link to different companies that make them.

https://trail4runner.com/2019/02/28/undercover-hidden-winch-mount-systems/

Hope that helps.

 

Thank you. I will look into these!