Winches

I’ve been considering a winch for my ORP and I wondered what most of you are using? It’s been awhile since I used a winch, but in the old days Warn was the standard and they’re the brand I’m most familiar with. But, what else is out there currently that is really good. Btw nothing made in China, haha.
Also, what size is best suited to the 4 Runner - can one get away with 8000 or do you need 10000?
Any other tips for mounts, bumpers etc? Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!

 

Warn is probably still the standard especially if you want US made, though to be fair a lot of good stuff is Chinese made. Warn also has a few less expensive winches made in China (the VR series).

Bumpers can run the gamut from a totally hidden unit with just a cut for the fairlead, a hybrid unit that replaces the middle of the bumper, or a full bumper replacement. There's probably too many companies making those products to list... check out the vendors section.

8k is enough for the 4R.

I have a SDHQ hidden mount, Warn VR8 (the Chinese one, 8k). Super pleased with both units.

Full writeup with directions, photos, product links:

 

Nice installation, MeefZaw! Probably an 8k winch is all I will need as well, although you need an empty drum to have that capacity. You’re probably at 6k effectively. I like the hidden winch look. My 4 Runner is my only vehicle and for the 95% of the time I use it for civilian purposes and I don’t like the mad max look of full bumpers for daily driving.

 

Went with the Shittybilt X20 Comp 10000lb winch, Yes it's made in China but has a good warranty, (Mechanical warranty: lifetime. Electrical: 5 years) And if there is a problem, they're (4WP) pretty good to work with it. I'm happy, it's done it's job.

Big Joe and I doing work.


Finished.

 

Nice, doublewide, and good solution for the plate. All of the bumper designers leave this out, but unfortunately it’s a reality for many of us. I take your point on the smittybilt winch. A number of reviewers have noted the pain in dealing with Warn if you have an issue and happen to live out in the rural hinterland somewhere, like I do. Haha.

 

I will eventually go this route. My current license plate location will be blocked once I put my lights on the bumper....Sad thing is, it'll hide my sweet Factor 55 Flat Link from all the mall looky loo's.

 

Yeah, those links are pretty cool, I saw that right away. Definitely a must have.

 

I will be installing this in an SOS Concepts bumper next weekend, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

I had my eye on an ENGO winch, but the guy at my local off-road shop swayed me with the warranty and Warn's reputation, plus his personal experience with Warn.

I can't wait to get it mounted up!

 

I have a warn vr10 mounted to a warn semi hidden mount. I like both. 8000 pounds would be fine. You can always use a snatch block to double your pull.

 

I thought about going 8K, but the price difference was only about $40. I prefer overkill anyway

I will probably use a snatch block whenever I use it also.

 

I went 10,000 with steel cable as well for the same reason. However, the 8000 with synthetic is a good bit lighter.

 

Mine is synthetic. A 10K with steel cable must weigh a ton!

 

About twelve pounds more. I like the idea of synthetic, but I like the fact I can drag cable through mud, over rocks, and around trees with less worry. Plus, I am cheap. But synthetic definitely has its advantages.

 

Hi everyone, here's the final winch installation on my 2018 ORP from this past weekend. I went with a Warn VR Evo 10s winch mounted on a Victory 4X4 Blitz bumper. This is my only vehicle, so I'm trying to keep the look as civilian as possible, clean and simple. You wouldn't notice this as having a winch at first glance unless you are a fanatic like some of us on 4Runners.Com, haha. I used the flip licence plate mount that Victory sells, because where I live in Ontario, you need a front plate. The Texas plate was only for the photo. I chose a 10,000 lb. winch mainly in case I have to help recover a bigger vehicle that's stranded. I didn't want to have to tell some poor guy in a big Hemi 4X4 in the middle of nowhere that I couldn't help him because my winch might not be strong enough. The bumper is designed for a 20" light bar, but where I travel in the north on gravel roads, it's too vulnerable to have to disassemble the bumper to replace it when it's broken - which it would have been eventually, for sure. Canada has some wild places.

 

Very Nice.! Clean, simple look.

 

I have an 18 orp in mgm aslo so i can now have a great idea of the final product. Thanks

 

I agree... that's what I've been looking for.

 

Looks good. A few questions if you don't mind.

1. How's the bumperette attached? I'm curious if the shackles have enough purchase to the frame for pulling on.
2. How do you switch the clutch and attach the controller? You must have to reach under and through the venting on the bumperette?

Thanks! I'm looking to do the same on my 2011.

 

I installed a warn semi hidden winch mount. It bolts directly to the frame. I would not hesitate to use the front recovery points. You can either reach in through the cutouts or pop the hood and reach down behind the grill.

 

Hi Firecloud, great questions. The Blitz bumper bolts directly to the frame using the same bolts as the OEM crash bar, that is hidden behind the plastic bumper cover. I haven’t tested the shackle mounts yet, but I asked Victory the same question, and they assured me that they are designed as functional recovery points. There’s also factory tow hooks still there, it doesn’t hurt to have some redundancy and since they’re not in the way, I left them. Victory has a very high quality manufacturing process, and the bumper has really beautiful welds on it. When you see welding like that it inspires confidence.
The winch is really in there and barely visible even when you try to peer at it up close through the grill! You can reach up through the port on the drivers side to engage/disengage the clutch. The Warn clutch lever is extremely smooth and easy to move. Of course, it’s new, but I’ve used Warn winches before and there’s a reason they’re the industry standard.

 

Hi! Thanks for the affirmation and getting back so quickly! Sounds like you're concerned with the same stuff that I'd be looking at, too. I appreciate the post and bid happy trails to ya!

 

Happy trails Firecloud!

 

I like the Series 1 drawing! I am an old LR enthusiast. Currently have a 1960 II 88" diesel and a 1971 IIa 88" gasser. In the past I've owned and built almost every Land Rover model that came out up until 1994. Always will have a LR, but it sure is nice to know the Toyo is ready to go.

Happy Trails!

 

Yes, I have an affinity for old Land Rovers, as well. My son in law has one on Vancouver Island and its great to use it when we're out there visiting. I've often thought about buying one for myself, but I'm trying to own less in my old age not acquire more. haha. I'm trying to own 1 vehicle, and have it do everything reliably. That's why that vehicle is a 4 Runner. Last winter, I actually decided to buy a new Defender, and paid a deposit and had one on order with the LR dealer near here. Canada has a lot of beautiful desolate places though, and I couldn't reconcile the possibility of being in the middle of nowhere, far from home, in a Land Rover if it broke down. Especially the new ones, with tons of on board computers and electronics, I'm not sure I could figure it out let alone fix it. The 4 Runner is still fairly user friendly and rock solid reliable, maybe the best in the world - so I cancelled the order and got my deposit back. haha. It was a good decision.

 

I was planning on going with synthetic, many Pros, light weight, no metal splinters, no rust on hands or gloves, looks extra cool.
Neg, we live where it snows and freezes. If the synthetics absorbs water and freezes it can't be used until you thaw it out.

 

Living in GA, I never thought about a frozen synthetic line. That is a good point. I think both have advantages.

 

Yeah, I live where it snows and freezes as well. I’m not sure there would be any difference in this regard from a cable. It gets wet too. I haven’t used my synthetic line in winter, yet, but I’ve used cables in winter. Good point though, worth thinking about. Bottom line for me, a synthetic line choice is a no brainer. What an improvement.

 

The 10 is Warn's recommendation for a 4R-sized vehicle, for what it's worth. Sure the 8 would get the job done too!