WINCH TALK

TechnicalDisaster

My rule of thumb is to never go on difficult trails alone, and always ensure someone has a winch. I’m finally stepping up that someone to be me :).

I’ve only been winched once in the Bronco, but I’ve used the front camera every time I’ve been out.

Nothing here is real difficult, but mud can get you.I go alone because I'm going fishing and want peace and quiet.Im offroading to get somewhere , not offroading for the sake of driving off-road.

I went with the Rough County hidden winch setup with the 9500sPro winch as I didn't want to loose my front camera location and stick out from the front of the bronco by like a bazillion feet. I like the clean look of a hidden winch, good looks and function, that is of course IMO. The 9500sPro will deliver me more then I need with getting out of jail issues that may arise. I have a lovely self recovery kit that I got for Christmas this year and am looking forward to messing around when it gets a bit warmer. I found that the RC9500sPro checks off all the boxes when it comes to what I need done. I hope that this helps.

Bronco V-8

Makes sense.
I don't go with a group so don't have visibility issues, but if I get stuck I have to get myself out.

They aren't mutually exclusive, as has been mentioned there are relocation brackets for both the front camera and the ACC. I also never go out on anything that's more than a dirt road alone, it's a safety thing.

SCBronco1

I went with the Rough County hidden winch setup with the 9500sPro winch as I didn't want to loose my front camera location and stick out from the front of the bronco by like a bazillion feet. I like the clean look of a hidden winch, good looks and function, that is of course IMO. The 9500sPro will deliver me more then I need with getting out of jail issues that may arise. I have a lovely self recovery kit that I got for Christmas this year and am looking forward to messing around when it gets a bit warmer. I found that the RC9500sPro checks off all the boxes when it comes to what I need done. I hope that this helps.

I'm waiting on my Bronco to arrive. I like this install, I have the Westin bumper, was going to use the Warn 10-S winch. I had looked at the Rough Country but had a few concerns. Please help me understand a few things that concern me with this type of install.

SCBronco1

I went with the Rough County hidden winch setup with the 9500sPro winch as I didn't want to loose my front camera location and stick out from the front of the bronco by like a bazillion feet. I like the clean look of a hidden winch, good looks and function, that is of course IMO. The 9500sPro will deliver me more then I need with getting out of jail issues that may arise. I have a lovely self recovery kit that I got for Christmas this year and am looking forward to messing around when it gets a bit warmer. I found that the RC9500sPro checks off all the boxes when it comes to what I need done. I hope that this helps.

I have to admit, that hidden winch is a cool and sleek look. The sasquatch or a small lift probably helps a lot on clearance and approach angles with this setup. Very cool ride!

Bronco V-8

Surely you jest.

Maybe he jests and maybe not, but don't call him Shirley!

I just ordered a Rough Country Hidden Winch Mount with the Pro12000S winch for my Badlands Bronco. Looking forward to installing it with my son when it arrives! I appreciate the discussion above.

Anyone consider the Warn Evo?

gtabert

I'm waiting on my Bronco to arrive. I like this install, I have the Westin bumper, was going to use the Warn 10-S winch. I had looked at the Rough Country but had a few concerns. Please help me understand a few things that concern me with this type of install.

Being mounted low, how does this impact the approach angle / ground clearance​

How do you keep the unit clean from road debris and winter salt, I'd like to see the spool under cover to keep the synthetic rope clean​

How do you access the Clutch, it seems like you have to get down under the front end to do that. One way I see around that is to use a ZEON 10-S Platinum Winch, it has Remote Controlled Clutch that is engaged and disengaged with a Wireless Remote. The remote controls winch-in, winch-out, and freespool operations. it is pricey though​

Alrighty, let me tell you about mine!

The RC hidden winch system sets the winch up behind the radiator area in the engine compartment, it is completely surrounded and does NOT fall below where the standard skid plate goes from the factory by much. It serves as a skid plate while protecting the winch at the same time. It is low and being that I haven't played with it in the mud since I had it installed in December, I don't know how much fun it will be to get unstuck from good sized mud holes when it is covered. I can NOT access the free spool option, so it must be reverse fed to me with the remote control, slower yes, but not a dealer breaker in my opinion. I don't like the cost/value of the Zeon winch, when all would gain is the electronically controlled clutch release. That seems like a failure point for me, but I have been know to be wrong before, once or twice. To clean it my plan is to hook up to my F150 and spool out until I have gotten the line out then pressure wash it as I pull the line in. I haven't really looked around it much, but being that the winch should be cleaned there has to be a way to clean it. I have taken some pictures and will attempt to attach for viewing. The Free Spool Lever view is taken from the top, under the hood and is that little rectangle "thing" with the arrow on it. I hope that this helps.

I just chatted with the folks at Rough Country, there is no way to Free Spool when using this setup, UNLESS you have really, really thin, long arms (think of The Slenderman) the only way is to reach down thru the top engine compartment and get the switch from there.

SCBronco1

Alrighty, let me tell you about mine!

The RC hidden winch system sets the winch up behind the radiator area in the engine compartment, it is completely surrounded and does NOT fall below where the standard skid plate goes from the factory by much. It serves as a skid plate while protecting the winch at the same time. It is low and being that I haven't played with it in the mud since I had it installed in December, I don't know how much fun it will be to get unstuck from good sized mud holes when it is covered. I can NOT access the free spool option, so it must be reverse fed to me with the remote control, slower yes, but not a dealer breaker in my opinion. I don't like the cost/value of the Zeon winch, when all would gain is the electronically controlled clutch release. That seems like a failure point for me, but I have been know to be wrong before, once or twice. To clean it my plan is to hook up to my F150 and spool out until I have gotten the line out then pressure wash it as I pull the line in. I haven't really looked around it much, but being that the winch should be cleaned there has to be a way to clean it. I have taken some pictures and will attempt to attach for viewing. The Free Spool Lever view is taken from the top, under the hood and is that little rectangle "thing" with the arrow on it. I hope that this helps.

I just chatted with the folks at Rough Country, there is no way to Free Spool when using this setup, UNLESS you have really, really thin, long arms (think of The Slenderman) the only way is to reach down thru the top engine compartment and get the switch from there.

Thank You very much for the time you took to write up this reply and the photo's, very helpful. I really like the setup very clean, out of the way. I understand your thoughts on the Zeon, Warn is a great product, this is their top of the line, thinking IF I go with it, its a one time purchase (like anything it can break the next day). Reverse feed is the only option, not the worst when considering the amount of savings. I'm wondering if one can come up with an extension rod of some configuration to reach the Clutch down low, I like coming up with unique solutions to problems.

Be Safe

TechnicalDisaster

...
YMMV, but the front camera is just as useful to me as the side and rear mirrors ...

I take my side mirrors off on tight trails.

AcesandEights

I take my side mirrors off on tight trails.

Maple trees took the mirrors off my F100, they weren't happy when they met Mr.Homelite.

I'm thinking a receiver set up on the front and rear, keep the winch inside and plug it in on which ever end needs it.

AcesandEights

I take my side mirrors off on tight trails.

Completely off, or just folded back? If completely off, how long does that take/how involved is it?

AcesandEights

I take my side mirrors off on tight trails.

I point the side mirrors down so I can see the obstacles that might scrape my rear quarter panels.

ZWSMITH

I have to admit, that hidden winch is a cool and sleek look. The sasquatch or a small lift probably helps a lot on clearance and approach angles with this setup. Very cool ride!

Thank you! I did have a leveling kit put on just for balance with the winch weight.?

SCBronco1

Thank you! I did have a leveling kit put on just for balance with the winch weight.?

Good Idea, Please share where you got that. I've decided to go in this direction, still pondering the winch I will use.

https://bodyguardbumpers.com/bronco-baja-front-winch-mount
BodyGuard make one heck of a Bumper with hidden winch and camera relocation and the extra wiring to relocate it. It is a super nice bumper I was thinking of replacing my set up, it gets a little close.

SCBronco1

I went with the Rough County hidden winch setup with the 9500sPro winch as I didn't want to loose my front camera location and stick out from the front of the bronco by like a bazillion feet. I like the clean look of a hidden winch, good looks and function, that is of course IMO. The 9500sPro will deliver me more then I need with getting out of jail issues that may arise. I have a lovely self recovery kit that I got for Christmas this year and am looking forward to messing around when it gets a bit warmer. I found that the RC9500sPro checks off all the boxes when it comes to what I need done. I hope that this helps.

This is really helpful, and i see you mounted it beneath the mod bumper…. I have camera and ACC, and this looks like its not an issue for either, true?

gtabert

Good Idea, Please share where you got that. I've decided to go in this direction, still pondering the winch I will use.

Leveling kit from Rough Country! Go forth and trail ride!

Bluestreak57

This is really helpful, and i see you mounted it beneath the mod bumper…. I have camera and ACC, and this looks like its not an issue for either, true?

This is awesome! I am actually looking at that same set up, or going with the Badlands winch. How hard was the installation of the hidden winch?