Best Bumper/Winch combo???

Any input out there on Rough Country Quality??? Saw this one...
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/rough...and-light-bar-white-drl-black-10728/_/R-DHTP-

 

Thanks, I'll check em out.

 

Sorry. Saw your newest post. They are full front bumpers.

 

Stock bumper and no winch for commuters.

Lightweight aluminum bumper and hobo freight 5500 lb winch with synthetic line for DD weekend warriors.

The largest thickest steel behemoth and 20,000 lb Warn winch for those that only drive to the rock crawling.

Best? C'mon my dude.

 

If you are looking for a hidden that maintains stock bumper which usually just requires cutting the holes for the line/fairlead.
Hidden winch mount specialists (HWMS): http://www.hiddenwinchmounts.com/store/#!/2016-Toyota-Tacoma/p/73555417/category=21280122
RRW: https://www.relationsracewheels [dot] com/products/hidden-winch-mount-tacoma *Edit not sure why this line edited automatically to all stars, Tacomaworld may have blocked it for some reason but I am not privy as to why.
SDHQ: https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/16-current-toyota-tacoma-sdhq-built-hidden-winch-mount

If you are looking for one of the low profile bumpers (i have one of these on my 2nd gen and I love it)
USOffroad: https://www.usoffroad.us/store/winchmounts/toyota-tacoma-2016-2020-winch-mount/ < these are the guys who I went with. Quality is up there, they make these streamlines for lots of different models. and they are priced pretty decent.

SOS offroad: https://sosoffroadconcepts.com/2016-tacoma-streamline/
CBI which has been posted earlier: https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/3rd-generation-tacoma-covert-series-front-bumper-2/
C4Fab: https://c4fabrication.com/products/tacoma-front-lo-pro-winch-bumper-3rd-gen-2016
SSO: https://www.southernstyleoffroad.co...-hybrid-front-bumper-customize-your-own-copy/
I am sure there are many others as well

If you are into welding your own stuff but don't have the tools or the time to cut everything accurately. Coastal off-road makes DIY kits where they send you all the pieces and a guide and you weld it all together. I built one of their skid plate sets and its worked great for me so far. They have a slimline winch bumper for the 3rd gens as well
Coastal: https://www.coastaloffroad.com/product-page/3rd-gen-tacoma-low-profile-winch-bumper-kit/


As for winch you could go a few different ways. Lots of people love WARN but I have noticed more recent forums say their quality has gone down some from what they used to be back in the day but are still pretty decent. Smittybilt makes some good winches, the harbor freight badlands with synthetic line has had some really good recent reviews when they added synthetic to the model line up. I personally went cheap with an X-bull because of the needs I have on my truck. Most of these bumpers as well will usually hold up to a 12k winch if the control box is not fixed and can be moved or rotated. you can go bigger if the box is removable and remotely mountable.

 

Here's my CBI hidden mount with a Warn 9.5XP-S. I really like the way CBI bumpers have brackets that run down the side and bottoms of the frame rails instead of just bolting on the front where the factory bumper is. The hidden mount is steel but only weighs about 35lbs iirc.

There have been some good arguments for a receiver hitch, but I like something more permanent. Also, I am a pretty conservative off roader and have never had to get pulled backwards.

Whatever your choice, make sure you get a manual disconnect on the hot side of the winch circuit and realize winches require maintenance. I make a pull up my drive way about once every 30-45 days.

Regarding brands, I had a Chinese TJM in the past. The solenoid kept going bad and they kept sending me new ones for free, which was great. But I started getting further out there on single vehicle trips, so i needed something more reliable. YMMV.

 

The best bumper/winch combo? Easy. It’s the one you own because you better make it work for you.

Advice? I can only relate my needs: light and capable for cross country runs pulling a trailer. Expected use: sliding off the trail in moderate snow or mud. Maybe hung up in a rut, but I try to avoid stupid.

Choice? I went with a Greenlane Stump Bumper and Warn M8000S.

The Stump Bumper is simple, stealth, well made, and light. Built from aluminum in Canada. The Warn is also light and has an exceptional duty cycle. Add a snatch block, and it should give me all the pull I need.

This is an expensive setup. It’s also not the strongest, so crawlers need not apply. It is very light. I’m not sure you can go lighter and still remain effective. For my purposes it is ideal.

 

You are 100% right that was an insanely vague question. I really just didn't know where to start on this subject. I would be going the route of lightweight DD WW.

 

Thanks for all the info. I am doing my research now.

 

Demello Offroad stealth series baja hoop steel bumper w/ Smittybilt X20 winch.

 

Bamf hybrid bumper with no hoop and a smitty x20 winch and diode dynamics 30” lightbar.

 

I like the cut of your jib sir. I too went with the Greenland stump aluminum. I'm very happy with how little it added in front of the truck and how light it is.

As you say the best one is the one you bought. So I went with that bumper and a ComeUp winch (9.5rs I think). I don't use it much but it hasn't failed or caused any issues for this winch amateur.

 

A lot of folks (including myself) are happy with the SSO slimline bumper and smittybilt winch. I personally went with the plain face OEM look (no bull bar, cutouts ot lights). See the @Hodakaguy install thread over here. If you happen to be in the bay area, Mark @Dcsleeper408 can install it like he did mine over here.

 

I went with the ARB Front Bull Bar Winch Bumper w/ Light Kit, and Warn Zeon 10-S Winch w/ Synthetic Rope 10K capacity.

 

Im thinking about getting the samething you have. Im wondering if it adds more protection to the truck if someone hits you on a trail (not a hard hit) but will it give you more protection than stock??

 

I second all this, but I went with a Warn Evo 10s.

 

What model did you get. On the slimline website all i see are the ones with the big holes on the side

 

Which bumper model is this on SSO's website. All the options they show have cutouts on the side. I just want the light bar cutout w the winch cutout

 

I believe they call them “access holes,” but you’re right I don’t see the options area of the website anymore.

They’ve recently changed ownership and the owner (IMO) took a path he didn’t have to take with previous purchasers, so I think he seems like a good dude. Maybe reach out to him and ask about not getting the cutouts?

@SouthernStyleOffRoad

Good luck in the research, if you go with SSO I’ll be happy to answer questions, although the @Hodakaguy instructions are all you’ll need.

 

I second/third/fourth.... Whatever it's at, for @SouthernStyleOffRoad . I have the slimline full plate with a warn winch. I love it!! It looks great, super solid, and install takes some doing, but is pretty straightforward.