Installing a Winch on a Subaru

[@porsche558]

That came out awesome! I really love the clean OEM look of having everything hidden behind the bumper cover. Excellent work!

[@Mark-ks9jj]

Going to do the same thing to my SH forester that’s just been lifted and had a skid plate fitted. AT tyres go on at the end of the month

[@crosstowne59]

This guy is good! Not only did his videos help me with a vibration problem after a lift kit install, he is funny too. Thanks for the help and for leaving the imperfect parts of doing modifications in the video (i.e. the scale). Real life.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@swkohnle08]

Looks awesome. Nice job. I’ve been taking my 2016 OB Ltd off-roading and soft-roading on the beach. I’ve found the CVT does things that make it more difficult on some trails but I limit to two track Jeep trails and fire access roads mostly. Over sand with the tires aired down to 15 psi, she runs great. No issues.

[@ejayone8184]

Pretty nice hidden winch mount! One day i will do this to my forester

[@MatthewHeiskell]

That is so slick! I'm super jealous! Your videos are great. Also, thanks for the tip about removing the plastic lumbar from the seat. My 19' Forester is much more comfy now.

[@hectorperez6293]

I really love the clean OEM look,You did an awesome job

[@bruceyyyyy]

Thank you Hector!

[@KentuckyRanger]

Nice install! The 3.6 doesn’t have the shutter thing, so that’s one less thing to deal with if anyone has the H 6. This is a real doable project, thanks again!

[@bigleo001]

Great stuff as always. I want one! Might have to pony up for the primitive one.

[@LillyCocoBean]

Thanks for posting the vid. I definitely like how clean the install is.

[@MrCujo1]

Very nicely done. Super clean install !! ....(toddles off to find winch mount plate for Forester)

[@fabricewenger7938]

Beautiful job and look ! Reminded look from the Apple lightening connection. Love it!

[@softroadingthewest]

Found it. Interesting. This is the first time I’ve actually looked at a winch install on a Subaru...I was having a hard time wrapping my head around how that might be accomplished. It never occurred to me that bumper beam could simply be removed, I always just assumed custom bumpers worked around it somehow. This was super helpful to see. I had my bumper cover off today for a completely different reason but might have to pull it back off tomorrow just to look around in there with this new insight in my head.

[@bruceyyyyy]

If going custom bumper it might be worth it to integrate with the winch mount. Mine will be separate since I'll be building the bumper myself. Most custom bumpers I've seen replace the skin (usually keep whats necessary to finish the look) and ditch everything else. I can't think of any custom bumpers that keep the original beam.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@bruceyyyyy Yes, clearly for me winch mount/custom bumper will be an integrated thing, I just had been unable to visualize how that would come together...seeing that bumper beam come off and replaced by your winch mount was a big Aha! moment, LOL. I want to have a pretty clear idea on paper before I turn it over to a fabricator. Are you going to build something sort of "solid" looking (like, plates of metal) or more like the tubular versions frequently seen on Subarus? Ah man I'm suuuper excited to see this process.

[@computerguru70]

spend more time on youtube and you'll really learn whats going on with the new stuff kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYeZe2aAh96NrpI

[@bruceyyyyy]

Neither one of us are ever on KZbin. Thanks for calling us out!

[@TheJordash10]

Hey Brucey! I just discovered your channel tonight. . . Love it, man! I love how transparent you are about your work. You're inspirational, informative and humorous. These traits make your videos very entertaining! Additionally, I love being able to see/follow your journey on you outback mods. I have a 2015 that I've done a few things to and I've been entertaining the idea of doing more. I'm stoked I came across your channel. Very cool!!! Thanks for sharing, dude.

[@bruceyyyyy]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheJordash10]

@@bruceyyyyy you betcha!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Finally got some time to check this vid out. Came out great! Im on the fence between trying to fab something up for my forester, or just get the Warn setup. We will see. Thanks

[@bruceyyyyy]

Does Warn make a bolt on kit for the new Foz?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@bruceyyyyy Yep! Its a pretty nice setup. www.warn.com/semi-hidden-mounting-kit-for-19-subaru-forester-106413

[@EisBlade]

Hey Bruce, being that you mentioned it - the stock horn is rather Roadrunner beepy, lol. What's a good solid-sounding horn replacement, do you know of one off another car that might sound better? I'm still looking around about winch upgrades. I just upgraded to +3/4 inch Rallitek springs but supposed the IronMan would be better. Upgrade the fog lights? I haven't seen upgrades for these other than bulbs....

[@lowlifeangler]

That will help the Hondas out of the snow

[@Set_your_handle77]

With the winch, there's no need for a tow hook but it does remove the mounting point, right?

[@bruceyyyyy]

Correct.

[@torreVs]

Depending on each situation winch's capacity could be insufficient. Apart from considering weight's car, W, it's neccessary to sum surface or ground resistance, GR, and this value depends on if the car is on the road R=1/25 x W, on the grass R=1/7 x W, on the sand R=1/4 x W or in the mud (axles) R=W. For a Vehicle on grass W = 3500 lbs, necessary winch's strength = W + GR = W + (1/7 x W) = 3500 + (3500/7) = 4000 lbs The good new is you can solve this using a pulley to get a mechanical advantage 2:1 in a rough scenario; getting a bigger winch's capacity, because necessary strength is divided by 2. 2000 lbs kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJjJlqJjhNGljrs from 3:10 to 4:53 min

[@bruceyyyyy]

So a snatch block? I plan to get one in case the pull strength isn't enough. The winch is rated for 4500 pounds though. I even mentioned in the video.

[@torreVs]

That's it, "self-recovery" with snatch block, pulley with mechanical advantage 2:1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJjJlqJjhNGljrs from 15:50 to 17:07

[@austinderbique7418]

That skinny red wire going into the fuse box. Did your kit come with that connector? Reading my winch's (WARN) instructions, that red wire is supposed to be spliced into the key wire. I'm guessing you have push to start, so is that why you go directly into the fuse box? looks like x2 15amp fuses?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I think so. Push button start doesn't give me a lot of options.

[@rinunculartoo3006]

Nice job!

[@harib9793]

Nice setup! Were you able to do the same setup on your Outback Wilderness?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I do not have an Outback Wilderness. We bought a Forester Wilderness but it's the wife car. I still have the Outback.

[@Tishers]

Nicely done.

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

Clean install.

[@subaruwrx853]

Can we get a update on how well this worked

[@bruceyyyyy]

It works great. What info are you looking for?

[@richardfadera]

Thanks for the video. I've been thinking of doing the same thing for my 2014 Crosstrek Hybrid. What did you do with active shutters? I mean, when I took mine off, the car gave me error lights...

[@bruceyyyyy]

The 3.6 does not have them. The owners that do have them have had good luck with cutting them off but leaving the mechanism in place so the computer is happy.

[@richardfadera]

@@bruceyyyyy thank you.

[@titobarria]

Hello... nice job. Where did you get the winch mount? Is there some place to buy one? .. tnx in advance

[@bruceyyyyy]

It was custom made in a small batch. I believe Rallitek has a similar model to this one.

[@BConnelly71]

Hey this is great! I'm thinking about installing one on my 3.6R with the Primitive mount. What did you use to get such a clean cut for the winch plate?

[@bruceyyyyy]

A mix of angle grinder, jigsaw, and Dremel.

[@LarryRichelli]

great video, is that winch beam readily available?

[@bruceyyyyy]

No. It was a custom built one. However you can get a pretty similar one from Rallitek.

[@thomasuzarski7368]

Hello. , im interested in installing a winch like you did . ? where would i find the bumper support ?

[@bruceyyyyy]

This was a small batch of custom mounts made. I believe you can buy something similar from Rallitek.

[@thomasuzarski7368]

@@bruceyyyyy mines a 16. i think only for newer

[@dominicm.8283]

Great addition. Great video too. Do you know if this winch may be available for a 2011 WRX?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I think possibly. The winch isn't what you should be hunting but rather the winch mount. I believe Primitive racing makes a mount for the XV Crosstrek. I also think it shares a bumper support with a WRX. So you may be in luck!

[@dominicm.8283]

bruceyyyyy I appreciate the reply. I'll check it out. I have a 2" & 2.5" lift on mine. I like the weehls and tires combo on your Outback. I've been thinking of getting something similar. Thanks.

[@RyanSmith-pg5kk]

Did you get a check engine light after removing the active shutter?

[@bruceyyyyy]

This vehicle is not equipped with active shutters. It's my understanding the 2.5 does have it and needs to have the mechanism working in order to avoid a check engine light.

[@RyanSmith-pg5kk]

@@bruceyyyyy cool 👏🏼 I went off into a ditch and mine shatter to pieces and pressed in my radiator support. Car runs fine but I have code P05A1 appear and my car wants to shut off when I first turn it on and it idles down.

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@RyanSmith-pg5kk I think the sensors want to see the shutter opening and shutting so it's not shut in death valley while towing, etc. If you're unable to properly repair it I would see if I would just cut the shutters and see if the mechanism can operate. IE It's just moving the servo up and down but not actually moving the (non existent) shutters.

[@RyanSmith-pg5kk]

The shutter is completely in pieces. I’ll have to buy the replacement part I guess.

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@RyanSmith-pg5kk Hmm. Could you possibly verify the servo is smashed too?

[@happycamper4429]

Most jeep owners never see dirt roads much less off road situations!!

[@jackbaghman3557]

For the active grille shutter did you just leave the sensor or did you have to do some modifications to the shutter for it to not throw a check engine code

[@bruceyyyyy]

I just left it hanging there plugged in. Ignored it.

[@jackbaghman3557]

Ok sick. I will try this thank you. I have a check engine for it and want it gone lol

[@jackbaghman3557]

@@bruceyyyyy also how did you make the U0284 code go away for the shutters. Do I have to have the motor attached still

[@bruceyyyyy]

I don't have the shutters just the sensor. If you plug everything back up does it go away?

[@jackbaghman3557]

@@bruceyyyyy i haven’t tried that yet. I think I might have damaged the sensor. But I am gonna take apart the shutter motor and see it it will go away. You don’t have the motor connected right?

[@ArturoDaChurrp]

What types of tires and wheels do you have?

[@onetometal2628]

Where did you get the bracket

[@bruceyyyyy]

The winch mount? It's custom made.

[@raythompson6151]

Cool

[@mikehoncho6143]

Who makes the bumper beam?

[@bruceyyyyy]

It is custom made and I do not think it's available anymore.

[@AudioAdvisory38]

What is a spitting dinosaur Nedry? Bruceyyyyy, I am sure you are fine, but hopefully that sensor is not an airbag deployment device. Kick butt video.

[@bruceyyyyy]

That sensor is for the active shutters. On the 2.5 they open and close to speed up warm up time. On the 3.6 it's just gutted but the pieces are still there. I looked it up and the dinosaur is called Dilophosaurus. That movie was the first time I ever remember seeing a winch used (or more accurately attempted to be used) so I thought of it when making this video.

[@AudioAdvisory38]

Yeah, I remember the movie. I wasn't checking your accuracy. I was only noting that there might be a sensor around the area of the car's nose that is directly linked into the safety system.

[@AudioAdvisory38]

The Jurassic Park jab was great.

[@bruceyyyyy]

So talking to Grant Wilson (he's in the comment section here) that sensor is for the active shutters on the 2.5. They open and close depending on if the car needs more or less cooling. Since the 3.6 doesn't have it it appears to just be a sensor that doesn't do anything. Also, all airbag related systems are yellow. Thanks for watching out for me though! Honestly the bumper plate is stronger than the factory one, I'm not really worried.

[@Unomasfishing]

Do you have the measurements for the bumper bracket or did you buy it?

[@bruceyyyyy]

I have measurements shoot me an email

[@Unomasfishing]

@@bruceyyyyy awesome ty!

[@Unomasfishing]

I can't find a way to email you from the video. [e-mail] can you send it here?

[@bruceyyyyy]

[e-mail]

[@tjrick]

Where did you buy the bumper frame? Who made it?

[@georgelameyer19]

Hi Bruce. Did adding winch and changing airflow affect mpg. I am adding a winch to my 2014.

[@bruceyyyyy]

No effect at all.

[@Steven-gv1ke]

I disagree with you on the issue of not being able to free spool the winch out. I have a spent a lot of time talking to various winch engineers (long story) and was told by multiples of them that the brake drum (the thing that keeps it from unspooling when in gear) is being "rode" when you winch out the whole way. The winches were designed to be free spooled out and winched in. You are putting a lot of excessive wear on the brake drum when you winch out the whole way that it was never intended to experience. Call Warn and ask to speak to a tech and I am sure they will confirm this. Not to say it wont work, just you will experience extra wear and tear and need to replace parts more often. But then again by that same token, I doubt you go wheeling and get stuck as often as someone with a dedicated offroader, so the fact that you don't use it but maybe once or twice a year, may offset the additional wear

[@bruceyyyyy]

Thank you for the response. Do you have any ideas on how to allow it to free spool in its current location?

[@northwoodslife5964]

Run a universal jointed shaft from the free spool lever/ dial to a location maybe in the upper front wheel well.. ? Or set something up like they use to lower the spare tire on a pickup truck. It could be done. Nice and very clean install btw. Well done. Sir. I like it alot.

[@philfoote829]

So good awesome

[@georules]

CRAB BATTLE

[@bruceyyyyy]

I love that this has no context.

[@philfoote829]

So awesome where did you get the winch plate from?

[@bruceyyyyy]

The fairlead came with the winch.

[@philfoote829]

@@bruceyyyyy sorry winch cradle

[@bruceyyyyy]

There was a batch made but aren't anymore. I believe primitive has some available though.

[@KentuckyRanger]

Nice -Wench- Winch... did you really have to say the J word? LOL!!!