F350 Bumper and Winch

[eyemgh]

We're building a F350. I ordered it with a factory winch, but then realized that the factory bumper probably isn't protective enough. My salesperson was able to re-write the invoice and get the winch cancelled. Now I'm on the quest for a bumper and winch.

I don't want a big, protrusion, but I do want protection above the bumper. The Trail Ready F17 Crawler is perfect with one exception, no grill protection. I like the fact that it sits close and has a good approach angle. Any suggestions on alternatives?

As for winch, I'd like IP69K certified and a synthetic line. I like the newer iterations that have a ball or loop at the end for safety purposes. It'll be a heavy rig, so probably looking at 16.5K. Any winch recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Betarocker]

Road Armor Titan 2. Designed to accept the Warn 16.5, full grill guards.

 

[eyemgh]

Road Armor Titan 2. Designed to accept the Warn 16.5, full grill guards.

Thanks!

I couldn't find it on their site. Do they make it for the 2022 SD?

EDIT: AHH, found it, it's a Stealth with a Titan 2 guard. Nice lines!

 

[Betarocker]

You are being redirected...

 

[Machinebuilder]

I'm looking at the Buckstop Outback.

I like the idea that the grill guard is bolted on and that the top of the bumper is flat.

 

[eyemgh]

I'm looking at the Buckstop Outback.

I like the idea that the grill guard is bolted on and that the top of the bumper is flat.

That‘s a nice one. They make good stuff.

 

[Ninelitetrip]

Warn Ascent series?

 

[eyemgh]

Warn Ascent series?

Ooh, that's a good one. $1K less than the Road Armor too. Thanks!

 

[eyemgh]

Back to the top.

It turns out that they couldn't undo the order. Dooh! Now I either have to sell it or live with it.

Does anyone make a guard to protect the radiator, etc, that actually works and doesn't just look cool at the mall?

 

[charlieaarons]

I think one might want IP68 instead of IP69K. The latter is not so designed for submersion but rather high pressure/temperature sanitization.
Anything with electrical parts is dicey when exposed to water under pressure and for a longer time.
Hydraulic winches have waterproof motors, gearboxes etc. Containing hydraulic oil at 3000 psi involves pretty stringent sealing. If a gearbox has a primitive breather, that’s easily modified.
I am aware of course that installing a hydraulic winch on a vehicle without pre-existing pump, reservoir, and outlets isn’t a trivial problem.
I actually did successfully install F/R hydraulic winches on my F350 ~25 years ago.

 

[jbaucom]

Considering it's Ford approved and warrantied, I would live with the winch. Ranch Hand is noted for making bumpers and grille guards that are built for work, so I expect their Legend grille guard would be a solid one that would provide protection for the grille and headlights. It's all welded (doesn't bolt together like most) and the uprights are 5/16" steel and the tubes are 12 gauge steel. The Westin HDX is another grille guard that's fully welded and looks to be pretty solid protection for the front end, but their specs don't list the thickness of the steel used for the uprights or tubing.

One thing to watch out for with adding a grille guard is that it's lower cross bar(s) don't interfere with (block) the winch fairlead; some grille guards look like they may interfere.

 

[eyemgh]

Considering it's Ford approved and warrantied, I would live with the winch. Ranch Hand is noted for making bumpers and grille guards that are built for work, so I expect their Legend grille guard would be a solid one that would provide protection for the grille and headlights. It's all welded (doesn't bolt together like most) and the uprights are 5/16" steel and the tubes are 12 gauge steel. The Westin HDX is another grille guard that's fully welded and looks to be pretty solid protection for the front end, but their specs don't list the thickness of the steel used for the uprights or tubing.

One thing to watch out for with adding a grille guard is that it's lower cross bar(s) don't interfere with (block) the winch fairlead; some grille guards look like they may interfere.

Ranch Hand is the only one I’ve seen that I‘d trust because it bolts to two positions. Unfortunately, one of them is occupied by the winch, so it isn’t compatible.

I’m also reading about impacting the airbags. I think I’ll leave it alone.