Warn Semi Hidden winch bumper (New for 3rd gen Tacoma)

So I finally got mine installed and couldn't be happier!



I have one question though that hopefully people here can help with. In Ontario we require front plates as do quite a few states and other provinces.

What have you all used, and how did you mount them?

I found this write up with a lot of options listed but was hoping to get some opinions on them.
https://www.roundforge.com/articles/winch-license-plate-mounts/

 

front plate is mounted with the bottom holes into the bumper

 

Yes, that is how I have it now without a winch, but it is blocking proper access once a winch is installed, and using the bottom plate holes causes rattle.

I'm simply looking at other options right now for when I get a winch.

 

Actually, you have the bolts running through the TOP holes in the license plate. If you run the bolts through the BOTTOM holes in the plate, it raises the plate well out of the way of the winch.

Case in point:

 

I tried that for a few days but I got a lot of rattle. Our Ontario plates are metal.

I contacted Cascadia 4x4 about their Flipster V2, and they suggested mounting it upside down, so that it flips down when using the winch.

 

Weird. My plate is metal too, and I've never heard a peep from it, and it's bolted on solid as a rock. Did you use lock washers? If not, it's bound to rattle loose. Perhaps a strip of silicon to insulate would help?

 

I used lock washers and also 1/4" rubber washers, hence why exploring other options.

Is that the CaliRaised mounts for the roof light bar? How was that install?

 

Yes, it's all Cali Raised. The install was great, keeping in mind the "pucker factor" present when drilling into the body of your brand new truck! Be sure you have a nut-sert tool before you start (

$74 Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442 13" Hand Rivet Nut Setter Kit - Metric & SAE W/ 60pc Rivnuts

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TODXQW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

 

I'm in Ontario and I've been driving mine with magnets holding it on to my Warn bumper since January. 15000 kilometres and no issue.

 

Just ordered mine along with a smittybilt winch. For those that did the install with the winch did you install the winch to the mount before installing it to the truck or did you install the mount first and drop the winch after?

 

Follow the Warn instructions, and you'll be alright. There is a section in there (after the bumper is mounted to the frame) where it talks about dropping the winch in.

 

Thanks for the heads up. Looking forward to getting it mounted up.

 

Installed my semi hidden bumper and Warn VR10,000 cable winch last night. I last measured my suspension in March so there could have been some sag in my OME 888's in that time but it dropped me 3/4 on the drivers side and 5/8 on the passenger side.

 

Any update from TW members with TRD skid plate and this front winch Guard? Does it work ?

 

Are there any license plates that aren’t metal?

 

I've seen many from the US that are plastic.

 

Can any one confirm ?

 

The factory skid on my TRD Off-Road didn't even get removed when I installed mine the other week and doesn't interfere at all.

I don't know about the TRD Pro or aftermarket skids though.

 

I know it’s not TRD but my RCI skid had plenty of room. From my recollections of dealing with the TRD skid I don’t think there would be a problem. The winch mount fits in place of center bumper section. You remove a short front extension that’s just a couple inches. The mount connects to the frame where you remove the extension. The mount isn’t any lower than the valance you remove and you can still attach an air dam on. So I think their should be no issues. But it’s not my $$

 

Install the winch after you install the mount but before you replace the center grill support that has the hood latch attached, and AT cooler. There is a nice big pocket to drop it into. The mount nuts for the winch drop into little pockets at the bottom of the winch. Put a piece of tape over the opening to prevent the nuts from falling out while your dropping the winch in. If you crawl under the truck after you drop the winch in there is just enough room to get a couple fingers in to manipulate the winch around to line up the holes.