My 2021 Bronco - Installing a hidden winch for less than $1000 - Part 1

[@StephenLoosli1]

MY APOLOGIES! I just noticed that the video goes dark for 50 seconds between 9:23 and 10:13. I'll take a look into that after work, but I don't think anything critical is missed. Also, the audio level got screwed up, too. Thanks for understanding!

[@ronpippin4893]

This is exactly what I am thinking about doing - watching for the finished project!

[@StephenLoosli1]

I just uploaded Part 2!

[@dc_advntr5525]

Question. At 12:25 you talk about the spacer under the intercooler below the rubber. What is that spacer for? Couldn’t we just do away with it? I can’t seem to figure it out in their less than stellar instructions.

[@pilgrimwanderings7046]

Great job, and I look forward to seeing the finished project. I have looked at this mounting solution from Rough Country and I like the idea of it being tucked up out of the way. I have the standard bumper but trimming the frame extensions has me waiting for now.

[@StephenLoosli1]

I have just posted a follow up FAQ on this project answering questions from viewers. Part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3CmZ-Dhq2ed6c

[@TubeRLH]

Thank you for the video; I appreciate you sharing your ideas, especially when you reveal that this Rough Country Winch Mount and Skid Plate won’t fit the number one Bronco that people would want to buy it for (the Badlands). I already knew about this winch and skid plate showing attached to a different bumper other than the heave duty steel modular bumper that comes on the badlands, but I just figured they fit the same. I really thought this was the answer for Ford's screw-up of covering up either the Camera or the Radar to have a winch. I was going to purchase this kit before I got my Bronco; hopefully in December, but now I will just wait to see about building my own mount for the winch behind the skid plate. Someone else mentioned; on the 2.7L a component sits where the winch will mount. Thanks, you saved me.

[@StephenLoosli1]

I have just posted a follow up FAQ on this project that may interest you. Part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp3CmZ-Dhq2ed6c

[@2011blueman]

Thanks for the video. Under no circumstances would I be willing to do this with my bronco, I'll be waiting for a badlands compatible underbody mounting option, but I thank you for sacrificing your bronco to show me the rough country package isn't for me.

[@StephenLoosli1]

Oh, my pleasure! That's why I posted it. Not for everyone, for sure.

[@Jodoodman]

This is the next thing I want to add to my bronco

[@jg4719]

Angle grinder w/a cutoff wheel would have been a smooth choice.

[@StephenLoosli1]

Yeah. Those angles of attack to cut were awkward. Now that I've done it the way I did, I can sure see better ways to do it next time.

[@garylong4450]

Quick question about your bronco, after you installed the winch…did you find that it would be a good idea to do a lift on the front, to compensate for the weight of the winch? Thanks for the educational video. Gary Helena, MT

[@erich1880]

Audio level!! Jeezus

[@StephenLoosli1]

Working on it. Thought I had it fixed. For sure on the next video. I won't let it out the door without audio QC!

[@erich1880]

@@StephenLoosli1 lol. Appreciate it 👍🏻. I nearly shit me pants when your logo came up!

[@scottievee330]

I respect the "I'll get it done" attitude. Lost on most these days.

[@filup7419]

At 6:02 you show the intercooler and there is a small black plastic cover (looks like a black 3x5 card in the middle if the intercooler), what is that? Is that a sensor of any kind? Are their any wires going to that from behind?

[@StephenLoosli1]

That is one of the vehicle sensors - I think it is either adaptive cruise or parking assist. I'm not sure that my Badlands package actually uses it.

[@scottdinhofer2104]

watched all three of your videos on this winch. Outstanding engineering & presentation! Looking forward to seeing more from you. I am curious how you would feel a roller fairlead would fit on the factory skid plate instead of the fairlead you have?

[@StephenLoosli1]

Thanks for the nice comment! I debated on steel versus synthetic cable for a bit, due to price - steel cable winches are less expensive but typically require the roller fairlead. I decided to go synthetic and use a smooth fairlead instead. I also think that a steel cable option would have been less forgiving of the cable angle of attack between the spool and the fairlead. Having said that, I think a skid plate with a more vertical face area for the fairlead under the bumper could be attractive and functional for both steel and synthetic options - like the Rough Country skid plate, but designed for the modular bumper.

[@255noodle]

I just upgraded my bronco with the modular steel bumper like yours has however, the brackets that hold the skid plate in place are different. Mine had the tow hood attached and it doesn’t appear yours do. It looked like there was a QR code on the side of those brackets. Any chance you could see if it’s the part number and comment what the part number is? Thanks!

[@RebeccaTiffany1]

What are those framer extenders usually used for?

[@RustonJ3]

You’re a legend for taking this on AND posting a video. Does the angle of the fairlead concern you? Wish it was straight out the front vs downward facing.

[@StephenLoosli1]

A lot of folks have had that question. I'm going to do a follow-up video to answer that and a few other ones.

[@randallgrussell7175]

Do you have the 2.7 and if so did you have to relocate the inter cooler?

[@StephenLoosli1]

I've got the 2.3. I only had to space the bracket down with the kit provided washers.

[@thomaspiazza5438]

Does your Badlands have a 2.3 motor . The site states that it will not work on 2.7

[@StephenLoosli1]

Yes, I have the 2.3.

[@Snookchaser007]

My only wonder is will you be doing serious enough off roading to need this. The badlands already has front and rear locking diffs and sway bar disconnect. I think I will use mine for a while and see how often I get stuck before cutting the framing.

[@StephenLoosli1]

Great point! In my case, I have an off-grid recreational property that I need to clear timber from, etc. I wanted the winch to aid me in that type of work.

[@swooshdave]

Winches aren't always about when you get stuck. Sometimes it's to help someone else who has. And any vehicle can get stuck no matter how capable.

[@TubeRLH]

I wouldn't go wheeling without a winch. They aren't just for getting unstuck; they can be used to move fallen trees, large rocks, or you may help someone else you come across that is stuck in the mud, snow, or in a ditch. Who knows what? Needing a winch could easily pay for itself the first time you use it.

[@stephenhinkle3277]

@@TubeRLH I totally agree, and if you solo off-road it's as important as having water to drink in the desert!

[@ajstar89]

Do you think it will be an issue no being able to access the spool clutch?

[@StephenLoosli1]

No, I can reach up and adjust the clutch pretty easily. A good thing to be curious about, for sure!

[@675striple]

How hard is it to access the switch for free-spooling the winch line?

[@StephenLoosli1]

If you watch my part 3 video, you'll see that you can reach the winch clutch by opening the hood and just reaching down in the very large gap between the radiator and the front of the engine and it's just right there.

[@675striple]

@@StephenLoosli1 Awesome thanks for going to the trouble to make a video to answer questions. I'm thinking of doing something similar, the only thing I would change, is cutting the stock skid plate, and fabricating/welding in a vertical piece for the fairlead. That or seeing what I would have to modify on the RC skid plate to get it to bolt on to the modular bumper. I guess it would depend on which would be easier to fab.

[@skyd5in]

Do you have the I-4 or the 2.7 v-6? i have been looking at the same kit, but it reads will not work on the 2.7. i have the same bumper and skid plate, but a 2.7. i was thinking down the same path you did, but the warning that it will not work on the 2.7 has me worried.

[@StephenLoosli1]

I have the 2.3L - I'm sure there are some options now available for the bigger engine.

[@steventayfel8350]

I used the 2.7 and it fit my 2.3. They sent the wrong one but I didnt want to wait for the replacement! haha

[@KelechisOrganicFruitGarden]

Would be nice if it was plug and play with no sawing

[@StephenLoosli1]

The Ford factory winch is a bolt-on, but also nearly $3000 more than what I paid.

[@fairwind8222]

Way cool

[@neffero.carmona5262]

Do that come for rangers?

[@StephenLoosli1]

That is a great question! I don't know. The Rough Country website is probably the best resource for that.

[@mpeugeot]

So you don't have a 2.7 Bronco. I have the same setup, but unfortunately a 2.7, which has a heat exchanger right wear the winch would go. I went with the Harbor Freight Apex 12k synthetic winch instead. I know that they say to use a Sawzall, but that was probably not the best way to get those plates out. It's just cosmetic though and no one will ever see the scratches anyway.

[@StephenLoosli1]

Now that I've done it, I definitely have thoughts about how I could have done a better job.

[@mpeugeot]

@@StephenLoosli1 Hindsight is always 20/20, it wasn't a criticism of you, but of the directions.

[@swooshdave]

Where did you mount your winch?

[@mpeugeot]

@@swooshdave I am going to mount it in the same place, but I am missing one very important component, the Bronco. It is stuck on Dirt Mountain. I have been tempted to call Ford's roadside assistance to have it towed... LOL.

[@swooshdave]

@@mpeugeot Hey, at least you made it to Dirt Mountain!

[@jamesmerkel9442]

56 God I Am so weak from torture/testing non stop for yrs & partial paralysis I esp can't hardly walk w/tripping on slightest uneven ground I fell, duh. I had the weedeatter in my hands & jt hit. When I got son to restart same as me b4 running no trigger. Well only weed eater we hve so started using few days & u knew what I fell into a great design this time I didn't think it up in 5sec just commenting on utube video. U see it idles at perfect speed NOW yet u can still touch tigger peddle on car then it goes back. I can't hardly bend so pull starting is a drag, so w/adding pre cut strings great design. B4 pre cut string heads back in day I would never ever weed eat. Now not a bad job bc great design.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

So idea is to use weed eatter at perfect idle u set w/a KNOB, but still hve tricker. In glove trigger is way small need 2" more length so u can easily grab even wearing great Wamart selling gloves. They for barbequ w/grip exta arn length protection then work gloves & bc heat shielded w/grip on 1 side can surely use in cold as well. Back to weed eater perfection using plastic free spining 3 way 3.5 ish in blades even better than pe cut string. Not for grass but cutting every thing else better. safer than steel head esp if idle spinning.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

Only trouble w/plastic heads r they wear & cost more than string, but if u idle right u can use next to house, hve control & NOT WEAR them out honest perfect idle fall result. Alone a fence u can reload worn blades bc already worn & smaller the blades the more control & less it graps less sintrifical force hitting effect, so less waste God big time likes that.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

When line gets tangled it idles slow enough to glove not break a nail or finger so u just pull against idling head which helps un tangle too. No shit like a new machine it works so good. Not on machine but if u make trigger turn so u can use machine what ever way u hve it turned or leaning to get better grip or giving arm hand a break it would be doubly perfect.

[@rsswga]

have you been lifting weights