Winch Install!

[Briski]

No worries at all. Happy to help.

You need to remove the plastic tab where the red arrow points. I just used flush cuts here and slowly nibbled it away. Finished flush with some sand paper. Note that tab is actually the bottom of the trim piece.

View attachment 32459

On the drivers side. You need to remove material from the area that extends backwards towards the engine. When you go to test fit you'll see where that side hits the winch bracket. On the TOP face you'll trim back the material to where the scalloped piece curves back towards the motor. Then you'll trim the vertical part until you're able to seat the trim fully. Note that there are two holes on each side of the center piece that the left and right trim pieces (that cover the tow hooks) snap into.

View attachment 32461

With the winch installed you'll be able to use one of the flat top fasteners in a hole on the bottom on the trim (furthest passenger side hole. On the upper part you'll be able to use three of the "button" style fasteners. Again starting from the passenger side. You'll want to remove the left and right side trim pieces before you start. Then reinstall when you've got the center trimmed out and sitting how you like it. When you have everything in hand it'll make sense how the three pieces interface.

Go slowly. Fast is the enemy, and dremel tools are the devil. Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks for this info!!! Now I have a guide to finishing the trim.

 

[MagicTruck]

FYI for those needing a front license plate. The winch license plate from Ford slides right into the gap between bumper and winch . ( unless you cutout and replace the trim piece) The tight gap just lets the tabs on the license plate slide in drivers side edge , tab clips for over bumper edge and sits in place . Takes 30 second install.

 

[Bodaway]

Throughout all of the pictures I only see a couple that have the abrasion sleeve on the line.

I've ordered the winch with my truck so when I comes in I want to verify that it has an abrasion sleeve.

Should the winch come with an abrasion sleeve?

 

[Briski]

Throughout all of the pictures I only see a couple that have the abrasion sleeve on the line.

I've ordered the winch with my truck so when I comes in I want to verify that it has an abrasion sleeve.

Should the winch come with an abrasion sleeve?

Yes. I hadn’t put it on yet.

 

[ccw]

Throughout all of the pictures I only see a couple that have the abrasion sleeve on the line.

I've ordered the winch with my truck so when I comes in I want to verify that it has an abrasion sleeve.

Should the winch come with an abrasion sleeve?

Yes it should come with a sleeve.

 

[knaffie]

Buying it is the easy part. Now I just need some time to get it installed! We got our second snow today. The really greasy slippery kind of snow. Cars were sideways on the road and unable to move all over the place. Luckily I drove right around them all with my stock tires. This this winch will get used a lot in the winter once I get my studded tires on and weight in the bed.

 

[SomethingRandom]

If you are interested in doing an upfitter controlled solenoid for winch power get those parts now and do it all in one shot. The winch install directions will tell you to run to the passenger side. On the 6.7 trucks the best spot for the solenoid is actually on the drivers side up towards the firewall.

 

[Joe_Lee]

The dealer jacked up the trim after installing the winch so they ordered new trim and I install it.

 

[LeviGarrett]

The abrasion sleeve I have is about a foot long. Are you guys retracting that into the winch? I was concerned about doing so.

 

[ccw]

The abrasion sleeve I have is about a foot long. Are you guys retracting that into the winch? I was concerned about doing so.

I’ve done so with mine. And I have a hook isolator, so my rope is pulled all the way in.

Makes it a bit of a PITA to pull the winch rope out afterwards, but don’t see why it would be a problem.

 

[SomethingRandom]

I’ve done so with mine. And I have a hook isolator, so my rope is pulled all the way in.

Makes it a bit of a PITA to pull the winch rope out afterwards, but don’t see why it would be a problem.

I also have an isolator, so my hook is tight against the fairlead. I skipped the abrasion sleeve though its in toolbox in back along with the winch controls.

 

[ccw]

I also have an isolator, so my hook is tight against the fairlead. I skipped the abrasion sleeve though its in toolbox in back along with the winch controls.

Honestly considering doing the same - removing the sleeve and just keeping it handy.

 

[LeviGarrett]

Can you guys with the isolator take a pic and leave details on where you obtained it? I’m interested. Thanks.

 

[ccw]

Can you guys with the isolator take a pic and leave details on where you obtained it? I’m interested. Thanks.

I got the AEV isolator:

AEV Winch Hook Isolator

AEV's Warn Winch Hook Isolator eliminates unwanted rattles or the need to attach your winch hook to a recovery point when not in use. Installation is easy - simply disconnect your winch hook, run your cable through the isolator and reinstall your hook. Once installed, this cable isolator rests...

www.aev-conversions.com

What it looks like:

 

[SomethingRandom]

I have the same as CCW.

 

[SamuraiJones44]

@SomethingRandom thank you for offering to mark up where I will likely need to trim. I’m not expecting my dealer to do it as I started getting the “it’s not what Ford recommends” story today.

If these pictures don’t work, I’ll take better ones when I pick up the truck on Friday, this is what my dealer sent me.

Question?
Is the center trim for a truck with the adaptive cruise different than one without. I bought the longer tow hook trim piece but it looks like I need a different center trim piece.

 

[SomethingRandom]

Question?
Is the center trim for a truck with the adaptive cruise different than one without. I bought the longer tow hook trim piece but it looks like I need a different center trim piece.

I haven’t heard anyone mention a difference for the center trim. Can you post a picture of what you have?

 

[SamuraiJones44]

I haven’t heard anyone mention a difference for the center trim. Can you post a picture of what you have?

I will get some tomorrow when its daylight outside.

 

[co425]

Anyone know what size the fairlead acorn nuts and bolts are? I want to order up some stainless acorn nuts at a minimum. I would like to get them in hand before my winch arrives.

 

[SamuraiJones44]

I haven’t heard anyone mention a difference for the center trim. Can you post a picture of what you have?

Apologies for never posting pics. If your truck does not have adaptive cruise and you want to use the longer tow hook cover. You will actually need to order a different center trim piece.