2020 winch install advice

PapaRaptor

Tremor Maniac
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6.7 F350 Tremor "Velocity" Blue Lariat Sport
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7.3 F350 Iconic silver THE SILVER FOX
Hey guys


I have the winch coming from my Ford store parts department. I was thinking about a self install. I installed winches on my Jeep and both my Honda ATVs, but they are tiny toys compared to the big Warn Winch on the Tremor. Plus I am by myself and I don't want to heavy the bumper around in my shop by myself.

Here is my question ( as I have reservations ) My service department has never installed one. Should I let them try, or run?

I was thinking about printing out some of the things I have read here and meeting the mechanic in person to go over it with him, I also plan to give him a cash tip so hopefully he will do a nice job for me.



Thoughts on this?????????


thanks D
 
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Personally, I’d take on the install myself with the shop I have, but I opted to have the dealer install my winch. However, I set very strong expectations upfront, printed the info provided by @Fordseniormaster and met the technician slated to do the work.

I took him through what an anal SOB I am, and it turned out, so is he. He’s also a Harley guy, so we hit it off and had lots to talk about. In fact, he’s become a pretty good friend and we plan to ride together as the weather improves.

Anyway, don’t let the dealer dictate the outcome. You take charge of what you want and how you want it....it’s your truck, your money and your satisfaction. Don’t settle for anything less than what’s right.

Hope this helps....

MB
 
I would do it myself because that's what I do. Life has left me with handicaps that forced me to learn to do things differently than most.

I have a tranny jack I would use for it. Its a scissor lift style with a ratchet strap, not the one that goes on a floor jack. I would use that for the winch.

I would not try to lift the bumper. We have wheel dollies we use for all kinds of things to move heavy things low to the ground like axles and a steel framed cube cart on wheels we use for everything higher and heavy and when working on big heavy things we need to move. For a bumper I would roll the cube cart under the bumper, block up to it with 2x4 and some soft rags, strap the bumper to it, unbolt the bumper and roll it away. Install the winch and then roll the bumper back and bolt it up.

The hardest part of all of this would be getting the winch from the tailgate or workbench to the tranny jack.
 
I would do it myself because that's what I do. Life has left me with handicaps that forced me to learn to do things differently than most.

I have a tranny jack I would use for it. Its a scissor lift style with a ratchet strap, not the one that goes on a floor jack. I would use that for the winch.

I would not try to lift the bumper. We have wheel dollies we use for all kinds of things to move heavy things low to the ground like axles and a steel framed cube cart on wheels we use for everything higher and heavy and when working on big heavy things we need to move. For a bumper I would roll the cube cart under the bumper, block up to it with 2x4 and some soft rags, strap the bumper to it, unbolt the bumper and roll it away. Install the winch and then roll the bumper back and bolt it up.

The hardest part of all of this would be getting the winch from the tailgate or workbench to the tranny jack.
I could probably use my buddies motor cycle jack it would be perfect for a bumper. that great Idea.
 
Personally, I’d take on the install myself with the shop I have, but I opted to have the dealer install my winch. However, I set very strong expectations upfront, printed the info provided by @Fordseniormaster and met the technician slated to do the work.

I took him through what an anal SOB I am, and it turned out, so is he. He’s also a Harley guy, so we hit it off and had lots to talk about. In fact, he’s become a pretty good friend and we plan to ride together as the weather improves.

Anyway, don’t let the dealer dictate the outcome. You take charge of what you want and how you want it....it’s your truck, your money and your satisfaction. Don’t settle for anything less than what’s right.

Hope this helps....

MB
I was thinking that I would print all that out. They already reviewed the installation instructions from Ford. So I have to give them an ounce of credit . I know they have some good mechanics, they also have some that are not so I need to figure out how to get somebody that can do this.
 
I got the parts kit on order today, met with the service writer. My salesman set it up. He had to re check my original order to see if my Truck qualified to meet the order??? ( he said it needed the 397 alt to qualify or they could not sell it to me). I had a talk with the service writer. There are several there but my salesman wanted this one. Hopefully he is getting me the hookup.
I was surprised at the amount of time the service writer spent with me. I told him that I would have further instructions from what I have learned here. He told me about the mechanic that was going to do the work. All sounded good so I feel comfortable with them doing it. I will probably take a page out of Iron Mans book and go see him and the progress and even give him some $$$$$ tip for a hopefully job well done.

The parts kit was in stock at the regular supplier for this dealership and probably is there already or will be in the AM. I was told there were many parts backordered for many weeks or months. I was also told the management is worried about receiving new cars and trucks, sounds like a supply problem and the ability to get vehicles from Ford will be a second half of the year night mare. Glad I have one in the garage right now.
 
I'm also interested to order that winch. Totally new to a winch and I read now here that if I want to install it by the dealer or any other shop, do I need to give them special instructions? What are those special instructions? ^^ (I am still at the stage looking around and getting info) Please advise me, thank you!
 
First of all if you order the parts guy will probably not find in. The part number is not in the main catalog, he will find in in the Ford Performance catalog. Second they would not order it until they had my VIN and they looked up to see if I had the right package on my 6.7 Tremor. I did so they took my money. You need the larger 397 alt package on the 6.7 or the dual battery option on the 7.3. somehow they tied the VIN to the order, maybe for warranty????????

Check out the thread from Fordsenormaster. They are some tricks to the install that are not shown on the directions.
 
PapaRaptor, I am trying to find the thread you mentioned, filtering to "Fordsenormaster" but cannot find anything. Would you mind to help me out please? Many thanks :)
 
PapaRaptor, I am trying to find the thread you mentioned, filtering to "Fordsenormaster" but cannot find anything. Would you mind to help me out please? Many thanks :)
 
PapaRaptor, I am trying to find the thread you mentioned, filtering to "Fordsenormaster" but cannot find anything. Would you mind to help me out please? Many thanks :)
somebody beat me to it!!!!! Mine has been installed, I just picked it up from my Dealership. It was the first one they installed. I made the tech read the thread. Also had a message into Fordsenormaster. All went well.


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Thank you so much PapaRaptor!
 
First of all if you order the parts guy will probably not find in. The part number is not in the main catalog, he will find in in the Ford Performance catalog. Second they would not order it until they had my VIN and they looked up to see if I had the right package on my 6.7 Tremor. I did so they took my money. You need the larger 397 alt package on the 6.7 or the dual battery option on the 7.3. somehow they tied the VIN to the order, maybe for warranty????????

Check out the thread from Fordsenormaster. They are some tricks to the install that are not shown on the directions.
To get the winch from the factory on the 7.3 you have to go to 397 alt package and dual batteries. So it more like a 3500 buck option on 7.3.
 
To get the winch from the factory on the 7.3 you have to go to 397 alt package and dual batteries. So it more like a 3500 buck option on 7.3.
I don't know bro........ Mine is done but they had to run my vin to see if my Tremor "qualified" for the option.... you think they would just take your money. I can tell you it is a nice piece of hardware.
 
I don't know bro........ Mine is done but they had to run my vin to see if my Tremor "qualified" for the option.... you think they would just take your money. I can tell you it is a nice piece of hardware.
I ordered mine with the winch from the factory 7.3 had to get dual Batts and 397 alt upgrade. Figured they just wanna make it idiot proof, less warranty claims.
 
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