3rd Gen SSO Slimline Hybrid Bumper/Winch install guide - How To Article with Tips.

I keep hearing that the lower LED bars will no fit with a 10k warn winch

 

That is my fear. I guess in a few weeks I’ll find out. May have to find another home for the DD 30” light bar.

 

Ive got a SpartanX lower grill LED bar and my SSO slimline is in the garage in a box. I would be curious what you find out before I decide on a winch for my setup.

 

I used Hodakaguy’s cut line in general, with 1” tape. We put the front edge of the tape at exactly the front edge of the surface to be cut, and then marked out a line about 3/4” into that across the top, and then tapered the corners like Hodakaguy’s. We did end up kind of rounding off the corner a bit on the side to make for a tighter fit with the edging.

 

If you look at that first photo, you can see where the clutch handle is going to end up. I will get you a measurement from the back of that lower grill to the clutch handle and the power pack if I remember it tomorrow.

 

Sorry to tell you, but the distance to the winch housing behind the lower grill is only about 1/2”. There is about 1” to the clutch handle when it is turned to freewheel. I don’t think any light bar is slender enough to fit there. If you relocate the power pack and if it were possible to reverse the clutch handle on the winch, you might be able to make it work.

 

Where is the dislike button for these facts?

 

I was able to install a 10" Rigid light bar in there. It's possible the clutch handle housing can be "clocked", but I didn't try it as it looked questionable.

 

Appreciate you taking the time to measure it. I may look at a clutch relocation kit or clock it as previously mentioned.

 

Here's a picture. you can see the clutch handle on the Right.

 

I was in a similar situation, and I have the 352 coils with their 1/4" spacer on top (I probably should have gone with the 354 coils in the first place). I ended up removing a specific leaf from the 111 leaf pack, making it a 110 pack. This helped with the rake and the stiff ride. I'll check the springs over time for sag. For now, the stiff front springs and light leaf pack by Dobinsons seem to be the best rake setup for a front mounted winch/bumper combo with little to no weight in the bed.

 

Ryan, do you have your control pack relocated elsewhere? Or is that bar in front of the power pack? One thing that could work is cutting out the cross pieces in the lower gril and bringing the light bar forward to mount within the lower grill itself.

 

The Smittybilt winch has relocation brackets to the left, so I didn't need to cut the bar. I opted for the midnight light bar, and prefer it to be behind the lower grille, compared to cutting the grill as mentioned, because I'm going for a low profile stock look. Good pont about cutting out the lower grill though!

For example, you can barely see the light bar behind the lower grille in the picture here:

 

Ok, that makes sense. I was asking because somebody further up has the Warn VR 10 and wanted to try to fit their existing light bar in the lower grill. They would need to relocate their power pack and probably clock the winch handle.

 

The ride is quite stiff compared to stock but is more attributed to the tires than the suspension. When I first installed the new suspension I left the stock wheels and tires on and was nothing like it is now with the e rates tires. Since I haul some very heavy loads, specifically my tractor quite often, I like the added lift in the rear and suits me best for what I do with my truck besides just casual driving.

 

Dammit! Left to go to my in laws on Wednesday morning, and my light bar had not shown up. Assumed since I hadn’t received any tracking info from SSO or Baja that it had not shipped yet. When my sister came over on Friday to check on our pets, while I was 3.5 hours away installing the bumper, the light bar was on the porch. I REALLY wish I didn’t have to drop the bumper again...

 

Does the winch control box fit? Or did you relocate the box

 

If you are asking me, with the Warn VR 10-s EVO, I was able to leave the control box on top, but I had to cut the vertical portion of the passenger side of the center support brace and bend it up about 1.5" to fit it. Somebody previously in the thread has pictures of it, which is where I got the idea.

 

Man, they sold a shitload of slimline bumpers in the past couple of months. Still looks like mine is about 500 away from being started.