Damage while using winch on improperly installed Rough Country High Mount

[Tricky Dick]

Wow ok. That’s concerning. I bought high grade washers and nuts (better than what LOD supplied) to go with factory bolts, but chose to use the factory nut plates as I figured that would give more surface area than 1.25” washers. But it’s easy enough to swap the plate with nuts/washers.

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[RockyBalboa]

I discarded that nut plate and went with some thicc fender washers behind the new nuts.

 

[da_jokker]

All this talk about nut plates had me wondering what I did with mine. I have the BAMF winch bumper And I don't remember keeping these.

Sure enough I looked at my garage in those nut plates are laying on top of the factory bumper. The BAMF has a solid flat metal plate (aka the bumper) that uses the factory holes but with huge grade 8 bolts, washers, and nuts.

I may still get something like the LOD but the jury is still out.

 

[Hashlak]

Just to update on my car after the hard pull.

We removed the front bumper and turns out the frame horn (circled in red) was slightly bent forward and to the side.

Managed to straighten everything up with a few taps but it's still off by like half a centimeter

Looks good tho, barely noticeable but it triggers the OCD haha.

I think I would maybe order a new part later after giving more abuse and changing to aftermarket bumper.

 

[MillerAndCheeto]

Just to update on my car after the hard pull.

We removed the front bumper and turns out the frame horn (circled in red) was slightly bent forward and to the side.

Managed to straighten everything up with a few taps but it's still off by like half a centimeter

Looks good tho, barely noticeable but it triggers the OCD haha.

I think I would maybe order a new part later after giving more abuse and changing to aftermarket bumper.

1. Thanks for the update - even on factory bumper a "normal" (?) recovery seems to have an affect. Yikes.

2. Sick looking ride.

 

[Tricky Dick]

1. Thanks for the update - even on factory bumper a "normal" (?) recovery seems to have an affect. Yikes.

At the risk of sounding like somebody else that breaks stuff then sells solutions, I'm about convinced now you're going to want reinforcements if you plan to work and play hard.

Speaking of which, I need to go work on my video about Mabett taking my dash USB idea....

 

[Tricky Dick]

Full investigation and report after I get home, but it appears I bent the mount or horns again. Came down hard on the fairlead and now the mount points upward more and the winch is smashed into the grill a bit.

 

[RC Bronco]

the plot thickens!

 

[Tex]

the plot thickens!

Sounds like the frame horn supports are going to thicken more than the plot LOL

 

[Tricky Dick]

The lighting wasn't great but I wanted to get something before running trails tomorrow and possibly bending it back out.

 

[Tex]

Good lord, you knows it's off when you can see it from that far away
E-brake and a tree should square that right up
If you go too far, just bash it into something and try again LOL

 

[BroncoAZ]

The lighting wasn't great but I wanted to get something before running trails tomorrow and possibly bending it back out.

Wow. This is starting to make me consider one of the hidden skid plate mounts instead because they don’t depend on the frame horns. I would rather have access to the cable release and to see the cable spooling, but it seems Ford made the horns out of tissue paper.

 

[Snacktime]

Most likely need a subframe, you could have already stressed the crumple zone allowing more flex. I am pretty sure the new Lobo bracket is correcting this. I bet if you 37s you wouldn't have dragged!

 

[kevin.gt]

So, I didn’t think you could buy just the frame ends, but I stumbled on this…

 

[Tex]

So, I didn’t think you could buy just the frame ends, but I stumbled on this…

Do...do those just bolt on? Or are they welded? FFS now I have to go look at my Bronco again

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