Rough Country Hidden Winch Mount

BroncoHooves said:
Trying to decide whether I want this hidden 12K winch setup with 90 feet of line, or a replacement Steelcraft bumper with a Sherpa 17K winch and 150 feet of line.
Click to expand...
What is the intended purpose/use you will be seeing solely with the winch? Is it more for functionality? Looks? Do you go off-road where you need it for self recoveries or is it more to help others in need? Move trees/debris off trails in a controlled manner?

Now as far as the bumper. Is that more for functionality or looks? I understand even if purchased for looks, functionality/protection comes with it. Is hitting wildlife on the road a great concern where you are?
I know ccw had a great post a while ago of why he chooses not to have an aftermarket bumper, I do believe you were involved in that discussion.

For me, the decision to stick with the “stock” look was easy. Although deer are prevalent in my area, it is not highly likely I will hit one, I have not seen an aftermarket bumper I liked the look of (my opinion), this Superduty is the largest/tallest passenger vehicle I’ve owned. I keep my mileage relatively low as it’s mostly an evening/weekend truck. I do think that just adding the winch itself adds some protection/ rigidity to the frame/front end. But maybe I’m wrong and a front end collision would end up damaging more on my vehicle.

Things that would have possibly changed my mind were as follows,

Everyday driver with lots for highway
Previously hit wildlife/very high chance of hitting wildlife
Been in a collision where the front bumper would have saved lives and not taken them.
If I spent more time off road then I do (would look like a brodozzer with all the pavement time this truck gets)

Anyways, that was my train of thought for why I chose what I chose. No doubt the new bumper and larger winch will be that much more capable then my truck, but at what cost.
 
Starwhitecclb said:
What is the intended purpose/use you will be seeing solely with the winch? Is it more for functionality? Looks? Do you go off-road where you need it for self recoveries or is it more to help others in need? Move trees/debris off trails in a controlled manner?

Now as far as the bumper. Is that more for functionality or looks? I understand even if purchased for looks, functionality/protection comes with it. Is hitting wildlife on the road a great concern where you are?
I know ccw had a great post a while ago of why he chooses not to have an aftermarket bumper, I do believe you were involved in that discussion.

For me, the decision to stick with the “stock” look was easy. Although deer are prevalent in my area, it is not highly likely I will hit one, I have not seen an aftermarket bumper I liked the look of (my opinion), this Superduty is the largest/tallest passenger vehicle I’ve owned. I keep my mileage relatively low as it’s mostly an evening/weekend truck. I do think that just adding the winch itself adds some protection/ rigidity to the frame/front end. But maybe I’m wrong and a front end collision would end up damaging more on my vehicle.

Things that would have possibly changed my mind were as follows,

Everyday driver with lots for highway
Previously hit wildlife/very high chance of hitting wildlife
Been in a collision where the front bumper would have saved lives and not taken them.
If I spent more time off road then I do (would look like a brodozzer with all the pavement time this truck gets)

Anyways, that was my train of thought for why I chose what I chose. No doubt the new bumper and larger winch will be that much more capable then my truck, but at what cost.
Click to expand...
Mainly there’s too many wild hogs and deer here and the downtime of truck repairs would set me back alot, and having to redo mods and prototype work for Super Duty products.

Being able to recover and help others would also be awesome with a more capable winch and length.
 
update the EVO has been delivered, I set the EVO on the 4 mounting bolts loose just to make sure it was over the 4 bolt holes and it has zero play. Take a look at the pictures I will need to just file the one corner of the mounting plate for this to sit flat on the plate so if you are looking at a winch with a clutch section longer than 4.84" you will be cutting into the mounting plate the motor side has about a 1/2" of clearance so that end is all good.
So the Warn EVO 12S will work with the Rough Country mounting plate with a little filing of the one support section on the clutch side. If I am able next weekend I will be installing this so we will see if the hawse and the clutch handle play nice. Back in post #161 I was concerned with letter F and I should have been looking at letter E, LOL and yes i do have the winch sitting on the plate the correct way after second guessing myself too many times. Also note for those that haven't been following the top of the mounting plate will need to be trimmed to clear the cooler if you are using the current production running from RC and yes RC is revising the mounting plate in the near future so no cutting is needed to clear the cooler.
 

Attachments

  • warn1.webp
    warn1.webp
    31.1 KB · Views: 246
  • warn2.webp
    warn2.webp
    32.4 KB · Views: 243
  • warn3.webp
    warn3.webp
    42.6 KB · Views: 237
  • warn4.webp
    warn4.webp
    41.3 KB · Views: 234
  • warn5.webp
    warn5.webp
    62.8 KB · Views: 244
BroncoHooves said:
Bump. Y’all leavin’ us hangin’
Click to expand...
not on purpose I am still waiting on wire to be delivered for the relocation of the control box. This weekend will be out for mounting it I need to build a lift system for our dog he is having an issue with steps do to arthritis in his knee and my wife can't carry a 106 Lb. GSD up an down the steps to go out to pee, LOL. The mounting plate has been filed on the clutch side and now I have a 1/4" of clearance on both sides of the plate I just need to cut 5/8" off of the top to clear the cooler. The control box will be relocated over top of the passenger side battery that will be removable to service/replace the battery when needed.
 
Keep updates coming. I am agreeing with the discussion above about what to choose. At this point in life I (unfortunately) will have to admit I don't play as much off road as I used to so I could actually get by with the stock bumper and the hidden winch. This is what I am leaning towards.
 
Great info in this post. Thank you to all that have done the R&D and trial and error. While my truck is not a Tremor (450) it has done many recoveries. A winch has always been on the list but outside an aftermarket number it is not an option.
The biggest challenge is the 450’s have an aux primary coolant cooler below the radiator stack that is directly in the way (see photo)

IMG_5770.webp


I have found a bumper I like but damn it’s $$$$.

ZooDad
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5773.webp
    IMG_5773.webp
    12.4 KB · Views: 159
  • IMG_5772.webp
    IMG_5772.webp
    15.8 KB · Views: 157
  • IMG_5771.webp
    IMG_5771.webp
    16.1 KB · Views: 167
So this past weekend while camping on the beach I was able to test on the Rough Country winch combo to get this guy out. The RC winch performed without any problems. Well worth the investment.
View recent photos.webp
 
wheelin-amos said:
@Maxx1776 - Ever get that Evo mounted? My Zeon is way too big, trying to figure out my options.
Click to expand...
Well yes kind of, I started on Sunday and ran out of time it is mounted to the truck but I need to pull the bumper again to cut off more of the bumper mounting flange to clear the winch body the total cut amount for me will be 3/8" on the clutch side and a 1/4" on the motor side. I will do my best to write this up after this coming weekend if I have time to work on it. The hawse mounting bracket is going to be an issue and I will need to space the bracket out a 1/2" to clear the front of the winch body its not what I want to do but right now that's my best option with the time that I have, in the future if all goes well the spacer will be welded to the hawse mount. Just buy a bumper for the Zeon
 
BroncoHooves said:
Trying to decide whether I want this hidden 12K winch setup with 90 feet of line, or a replacement Steelcraft bumper with a Sherpa 17K winch and 150 feet of line.
Click to expand...

I drive out on a working ranch a lot and have been stuck many times in my 3/4T 4x4, when it has been raining for days.
It is not all flat, and some of it can be 20-25deg up hill.

The 12K winch always gets me out. Problem is my current winch only has 90' of steel wire, and there are a Not a lot of Trees in some places

I carry three of these 3/8" wire extensions with me when It is wet at the ranch

  • 50' extension
  • 100' extension
  • 150' extension

that is 390' of wire rope total.

For the most part, I would not worry if a winch has 75', 90', or 150' of line. Be prepared for the conditions you are headed into.
I also carry at least 2 tree straps, and 2 snatch blocks.

1692102234653.png
1692102290848.png


If I run out of shackles, I always have Hammerlocks in the truck and can connect the extensions that way.

1739889887597.webp


PXL_20220917_140900462(1).webp
 
Last edited:
Just received a message from Rough Country's customer service in response to my inquiry if they had tested the hidden winch mount on the '23s, or when they expect to have one that fits the '23s. They responded, "we don't offer one for the 23 models sorry"

Guess it will be up to this community to figure out if the current product will work.
 
I’m digging this setup as I have ACC and don’t want to relocate and recalibrate. Cost of entry is easy to stomach as well. I doubt it’ll get heavy or frequent use, but it’ll be a level of comfort knowing I have something.
 
TheBeerFather said:
I’m digging this setup as I have ACC and don’t want to relocate and recalibrate. Cost of entry is easy to stomach as well. I doubt it’ll get heavy or frequent use, but it’ll be a level of comfort knowing I have something.
Click to expand...
This is my train of thought that I bought into and have installed. I’ll let these other awesome people figure out a different winch that fits if mine ever kicks the bucket.
 
Starwhitecclb said:
This is my train of thought that I bought into and have installed. I’ll let these other awesome people figure out a different winch that fits if mine ever kicks the bucket.
Click to expand...
How was the install? Any issues or challenges outside of the less than adequate instructions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Tremor Forum Fav 👍

nextzett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner nextzett Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner - Grab one through Amazon!

Tremor Forum Photos

Latest Discussions

Back
Top Bottom