Hidden winch mount with Warn Evo 12-S

[yetiran]

Parts used

-Kaufu winch plate(Amazon) https://a.co/d/09QIoqh4
-Warn Evo 12-S
-Warn winch remote extension
-Winch battery cut off kit
https://a.co/d/0fh5v1Xj

I went with the Kaufu winch plate because it’s one piece unlike the RC one. It will be stronger because it is one piece. I did upgrade the bolts that came with it though.
I used the battery cut off kit and relay to wire to my factory aux switch panel. That way the winch is not getting constant power and load from the electrical system.

few things of note:
- you still have to cut the frame horns off like you do for the RC kit. I did mine with just a cut off wheel and took a few sections out of it to make it easier.
- I did need to source 2 additional bolts that are the same size as the ones taken out of skid plate.
- I mounted the relay using one of the factory bolts that mounts the battery tray to firewall. Had to make the hole on the relay mounting bracket bigger for the bolt and washer to clear.

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[ducksface]

Ok.
I like it a lot.
Will it interfere with the cruise control or anything else?

 

[yetiran]

It does not. That’s why I went with the hidden. I like the stock bumper and did not want to switch it out.
you do have to cut the frame horns off. It’s super easy with a cut off wheel. There is plenty of recordings that go over it.

 

[KreeHBronco]

Thank you for the writeup! I didn't even know this option existed.

I also chose a hidden winch to avoid having to mess with my camera, sensors, or ACC. Plus, where I live in the Bay Area of Northern CA, lots of stuff gets stolen, so a hidden winch should make it less obvious and a little harder to steal.

I went with the Lobo, which is also a single plate (combination skid and mount). The winch I chose is the Warn Zeon Platinum which is fully controlled via remote control so no need to reach the spoller lever. I also choose a AIG engine/transfer case skid because it has a removable window for oil changes so I don't have to losen the Lobo plate for oil changes. I am super close to install. I will also install a cut-off switch on the positive supply at some point. Everything is ready to go, I just need to do it ... maybe in a week or two. I will take pictures, but mine won't be as good as yours.

I have the 2.3L with a manual transmission. I assume you have something similar hence avoiding the need to relocate the transmission cooler.

 

[ducksface]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0H573PZDM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

The 2.7 requires the transcooler to be moved and the louvers removed entirely.
I bought this for my wife's lifted awd pacifica. Yup, lifted mommy van on Toyo at3's.

I have a home made version of this that I built 20 years ago. It's a 12,000lb winch inside a craftsman tool box and mounts to the front or rear hitch of my motor home and trucks.

In the bronco I'll use this, a snatch, soft shackles, along with the extra 100ft of line I carry.

Cleaner, easier, stowable, portable to other vehicles...works in the front, the rear, the side...on someone else's vehicle.


I was all about that hidden winch mount. I just don't need the louver and frame horn thing.

 

[Ninjak]

@ducksface : Man that is interesting. I have never seen this style before. So where does this mount up to?

It's nice because you can leave it behind when you do not need it, and pack it with your recovery gear when you go out.

UPDATE: Ahh I see. I went to the link, so this sort of hooks up like a snatch setup, and you can pull yourself from it to where you connect it to.
Very interesting option indeed.

 

[ducksface]

It doesn't mount.
There are soft shackles that go to shackles on the back/bumper and soft shackles for the front/anchor.
It, in the first glance, is somewhere in line with the winch line.
Gasoline Winches like this have been around since there's been gasoline.

So, if your front end is under water/mud you attach the winch on the anchor end of the line instead of your winch being under water.
If you have a crest or rock in your way, set the winch on the rock and pull from both ends with the winch in the middle.

It will go anywhere in the pull line that you can get power to.

 

[Ninjak]

It doesn't mount.
There are soft shackles that go to shackles on te ack and soft shackles for the front. It, in the first glance, is somewhere in line with the winch line.
Gasoline Winchester like this have been around since there's been gasoline.

So, if your front end is under water/mud you use the winch on te anchor end of the line instead of your winch being under water.
If you have a crest or rock in your way, set the winch on the rock and pull from both ends with the winch in the middle.

It will go anywhere in the pull line that you can get power to.

Is it strong enough to get you out of an issue? I notice some of these have 2500, 4000; the most I saw was a 6000lb version. I ask because the Warn winch I had on my Badlands was the 10k version.

 

[ducksface]

A snatchblock doubles your pulling power.
A snatch block is compact and $9 to $22ish.
6000lb winch is generally enough for those folks with some finesse.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snatch+block&crid=2FDEH6Y3QMQL7&sprefix=anatch,aps,259&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_1_6

 

[Ninjak]

A snatchblock doubles your pulling power.
A snatch block is compact and $9 to $22ish.
6000lb winch is generally enough for those folks with some finesse.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snatch+block&crid=2FDEH6Y3QMQL7&sprefix=anatch,aps,259&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_1_6

I actually have this gear from when I had my winch on my Badlands. This is truly an interesting option.

 

[ducksface]

I I hit a wet weather spring. You can see in the foreground what it looked like before I drove over it. There wasn't a drop of surface water... My winch was underwater/mud before I could get fully hooked up. One foot, the one click...Smitty winch failed due to flooding.

zr2 was the raptor of its day.
Full size rear end, widened boxed frame, functional flares, factory lift...31.5 tires were giants in 2001.
I still own it.

 

[TruckCamper]

Cheap China crap that will bend upon impact. We tried the rough country version. One hit and was ruined. Buy quality or don't modify.

 

[ducksface]

Cheap China crap that will bend upon impact. We tried the rough country version. One hit and was ruined. Buy quality or don't modify.

If it weren't for the modifications needed i'd
have bought it just for the pattern to either heavy duty-ize this one or plate up my own.

 

[nwGTS]

A snatchblock doubles your pulling power.
A snatch block is compact and $9 to $22ish.
6000lb winch is generally enough for those folks with some finesse.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=snatch+block&crid=2FDEH6Y3QMQL7&sprefix=anatch,aps,259&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_1_6

Interesting but how do you attach it to itself to reap the 2x snatch blocks pulling power?

 

[HighVelocity]

It's not very good at hiding since I can see it right there.

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