Winches

Nice clean installation, MeefZah, pro! You could always replace the tie down loop with an aftermarket tow hook, but I agree, it works.

 

Nice Factor55 gear, nice look, clean, I have a Warn inside a SSO, I went with the Factor55 Pro-link I like the hidden look also.

 

Just an idea, since you're not using the light bar cutout, you might just drill 2 holes and mount your license plate like my Warn bumper:

That looks great. Nice thing about that setup is how light weight it is.


I'm real happy with Warn bumper and steel cable Warn VR10 winch.

May switch to synthetic cable down the line though.

 

Sorry probably a bit too Mad Max like but this is my 1991, 2nd gen 4Runner here so take that for what it is worth. The All Pro bumper and the 15,000 lb X-Bull winch are recently installed. Synthetic line and a remote control came with the the X-Bull and was <$350, This winch with synthetic line is <60 lbs.

I used this install in yanking my sons 1990 4Runner (5,300 lbs. GVWR) up a steep pumice adorned hill, several weeks back now, that we could not summit due to traction and HP issues. We had aired down and could get about half way and then with open diffs it would just dig-in. Halfway was the extent of our collective recovery gear from the top were I was located so a bit of luck was in hand. The recovery took all the synthetic line (25 meters as supplied on the winch minus 5 turns on the drum) and two 30 foot recovery snatch straps shackled together with a shorter one for about a 150 foot pull up this fire break hill near Mammoth Mountain in CA. I used a snatch block for the first pull as my Son's 4Runner was out of sight. Then single line for the remaining two pulls as the snatch straps were sequentially removed from the recovery effort and the slope was becoming less. The new X-Bull makes one helva noise under load but it did three sequential line pulls without any issue. The number of wraps on the drum has everything to do with line pull rating. So remember the winch rating is a single wrap pull and decreases as the synthetic line or cable spools up in layers on the drum. Fully spooled the 25 meters puts about 4-1/2 layers on the drum. The vectors with winch recovery are a game of sense and direction and that means angles are involved and gravity is always present and is acting on your vehicles mass. So extra winch capacity will never be wasted and can be just what is needed depending on the situation.

 

Nice 2nd Gen, atgparker!

 

I added a small Warn bumper and a synthetic M8000 to my gen 5 some years ago. The trimming of the inner plastic air baffles and the front plastic bumper cover was the only real fab work involved. The wiring that is included with the M8000 seemed like it was made for my gen 5. The cables routed easily and required no mods. The ports in the bumper allow easy access to the clutch lever, control plug-in and cable drum. I leave my synthetic line snugged down, out of sight, behind the fairlead. I also have an old Warn neoprene winch cover that keeps it all dry and clean. The cover can be removed through the ports in the bumper.

 

Hello,
By adding both the Victory Blitz bumper and the warn winch did your front end sit down any due to the added weight?

 

Hi @Traveling Man! My Blitz bumper was ordered in aluminum in an effort to control weight on my mostly overland style 4 Runner. The Warn EVO 10s + the al Blitz = 102 lbs. For the first year I had it installed, it was on stock suspension with no sag. It worked great. About a year later, I added an ELKA 2.5 suspension with 1 1/2" of lift to the front, so its pretty stiff up there now as well and handles like a dream. Interestingly, the suspension is great off road, and is perfectly balanced as a modest, level lift (kind of like an ever so slightly higher Pro stance) but its really on big highways at high speed where it's evident how high performance it is. I'm a pretty conservative driver off road, as I usually wheel alone, which is why I got the winch, so I move pretty slowly and gently. I don't go out of my way to challenge the gods. I like taking the bypasses around tough obstacles when I come to them, lol. I hate mud and water! So, I don't notice too much increased capability off road from stock. My ORP with KDSS was great before, and its still great now. The ELKA suspension I use is specific for KDSS equipped vehicles. It handles like a sports car at high speed.
I'd recommend controlling weight as much as possible. I've seen super heavy vehicles off road, and they can't be fun. They seem like dead sleds, having to haul that much weight around. Braking, acceleration, cornering, everything is knocked down by excessive weight. But I guess for some guys, the creature comforts are worth driving around in a cement truck.

 

^^^Good advice right here! Aside from trying not to add unnecessary weight, it's also good to think about where you're adding weight. For example, a 100+ LB roof top tent will affect handling much more adversely than a set of Skid plates.

 

Hello,

Thanks for all the input in regards to the weight on a vehicle. I ordered the Victory steel blitz bumper. I may see if I can change the order to aluminum as I just placed it over the weekend.

thanks again

 

I have a Smittybuilt 9.5k with Steel Cable on my 2nd Gen Taco. It’s always served it’s purpose. My vote is for Steel Cable all day. I’ve seen SEVERAL synthetic cables break, but never a steel cable.

 

Where can I Find a front bumper like that for my 2nd Gen 4Runner? Appreciate it.

 

Something to think about. When eventually, gets here.

Start @ 7:30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wi9lMxK0_I

Same fellow more detail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLql_1RfGHA&t=157s

 

I love the idea! The only issue I see is that your main winch line is now taking all of the abuse fron trees, steel bumpers, etc and will potentially need replacement more often.

IMO, the one good thing about keeping things separate is the you can beat up a $20-30 soft shackle or tree saver strap, rather than wearing out your main line.

If he has a product to protect the line as it's used, that would be excellent!

 

All good points and I admittedly have no idea what the fragility of our winch lines may be in such instances. They're obviously prone to damage if/when scraped along rough surfaces. It will be interesting to see how his product evolves with time and use.

 

Sorry to bring up older thread but still can’t zero down

Between ironman4x4 9500 synthetic n the superwinch 10 synthetic

any experience?

thanks everyone

sales ending soon let alone can’t wait to get this bumper on before a long overdue trip

 

I’m sure they’re both good winches, but I would opt for 10k just for the extra capacity. Mine is a warn 10. The reason I say that, is because I have yet to use my winch for self recovery, but I have used it twice to help others who were driving 4 door American p/u’s. These vehicles are heavy and need everything you’ve got especially if they’re mired in mud.

 

I have zero experience with either, so I'll just chime in regarding the looks.
The Ironman 4x4 looks to fit within a smaller envelope because you could remote mount the control box. The Superwinch 10 looks identical to the Harbor Freight Badland APEX 12,000lb winch (which is still cheaper). The HF Badlands I have seen in action and it works very good, but the controls take up vertical space that could be an issue. The Ironman looks very similar to my X-Bull which has gotten me out of a few spots and pulled my buddy off a huge tree in his JL.

 

That’s the other thing

I have the full front heftyfab going on
Alumninum
“Rated” to 10,000
(Been told many different views bout what that means as far being able to support a larger duty winch ie 12,000)

the bumper does require a non-permanent control box/solenoid

both are able to be moved

do I go with the 12,000 ironman4x4 n just deal with the winch being slower

thanks again guys, this means the world cause as of right now, I keep walking by this…..getting ol’ haha

 

Great point you bring up about the speed. My X-Bull must have a super low and slow planetary gear set because it is SLOW. My previous winch (on a Tundra) was lower rated but much faster. My vote is go for the 9,500lb winch and also put a snatch block in your recovery kit.

 

I have everything accessory wise
Planned on having them in case I needed help n whoever had a winch could use my gear outta respect

just don’t wanna look back n think “shoulda gone bigger”

ahhhh this sucks haha

 

I don't think you're going to notice a significant difference between a 9500 and 10K winch.

Out of the two, I would go with whichever one you think is of better quality. I went with Warn due to the reputation and warranty. But, I hear great things about some of the other brands as well.

 

Random update to posts 2 and 60 in this thread, detailing my install on a 17 SR5 and a 19 ORP. I cut away a small section of the grille in front of the winch clutch which allows full use of the hidden winch without opening the hood. You can use the clutch through the grille and the remote is wireless so you have full function without any extra steps.