2nd gen winch

Hey everyone, I recently installed a winch ready offroad bumper on to my 2010 TRD Off-Road and am now looking at getting a winch.

Will the stock 130amp alternator from the tow package be enough to run it? Is there anything else that should be upgraded to handle it (bigger battery, dual battery, higher output alternator and heavier gauge wiring)?

Thanks for any input and my apologies if this thread was already posted

 

You should be good to go. Keep truck running when winching. Did your bumper manufacturer specify any certain winches?

 

@Arrowshot no it did not, it's a cheaper TKMAuto bumper from Amazon so it barely came with instructions lol

I have zero experience with winches (other than quads) so I wasn't sure. Thanks for the input!

 

Does it have a winch mount? Should be a plate located on the inside of the bumper with 4 holes.

 

Link took me to a bunch of products but not bumper.

 

@Arrowshot it has a plate and 4 holes for mounting a winch, as well as the cutout for the cable

 

That is a nice looking bumper, not a monstrosity like ARB. Suggest a Warn 8000 winch although cheaper alternatives are out there. Main thing is to check fitment right away so if it doesnt fit well you can return it.

 

You also might search comments for the bumper to see if they mention compatible winches.

 

There’s a member on this forum that sells a switch kit to connect a winch to the battery so you can have a beefy switch to turn power on and off. Lambtech innovations I think

 

"Is there anything else that should be upgraded to handle it (bigger battery, dual battery, higher output alternator and heavier gauge wiring)?"

Your suspension. You're cantilevering a lot of weight in front of the wheels and it it will load your suspension and it will affect handling. The rest will work if you install it correctly and don't overload your system, i.e. don't do hard continuous pulls without giving the winch and your battery a break. Read the manual with your winch.

Most importantly and I'm not trying to be mean here, but since you say you have zero experiences with winches I can't stress enough that you either join a club that has some responsible members who actually know how to use winches or try to find someone knowledgeable to help teach you, and I don't mean the local redneck tow truck guy driver who will typically do all sorts of dangerous stuff (even some of the popular youtube channels show some dangerous practices). A winch can do far more things than the average person realizes if you know how- it can also kill or maim you or an innocent person in the blink of an eye. Synthetic line reduces those chances, but doesn't eliminate them nor is it a replacement for proper winch techniques. Budget for accessories and learn to use them.


ETA- Before you use those recovery points for anything other than decorations, make sure that they are properly installed. Most of the cheap bumpers seem to have shackle mounts that are welded to the bumper and do not actually tie back into the frame or have reinforcing sufficient for a basic single line pull, much less a hard pull. I have a cheap rear bumper because I needed to replace my bent up factory one; it has shackle mounts but they're essentially decorations, there is no way I'd actually use them to pull from. They are handy for securing a brake line for kayaks though.


Here's a link to the downloadable pdf: The WARN Basic Guide to Winching Techniques
https://www.warn.com/the-warn-basic-guide-to-winching-techniques

Here is a (not so great) copy of the Department of the Army FM 20-22 Vehicle Recovery Operations
https://www.steelsoldiers.com/upload/misc/FM20-22.pdf

 

Good stuff there. I almost got hit by a 20lb snatch tackle that broke its securing line. Hit the handles of a rake and shovel and broke them both even when they were just leanining against a tree. Know the limits on that bumper.

 

I wouldn’t trust any Amazon special unless it was an ARB bumper since they sell through Amazon.

 

Agreed.

Also don't use a winch unless you have some training. You can hurt or kill yourself or other easily if you don't know what you are doing. You will also need other gear to safely attach to anchors and other vehicles.

 

@Arrowshot @JMcFly @Bajatacoma @ZColorado

Thanks for the input guys, I was planning on learning more before/if I order one anyways, but the comments are still very handy to help drive home the dangers of it. I was curious about if the trucks stock charging/electricral system could handle a winch. Thanks for the help fellas!

 

Thread revival...

Looking for a bolt on bumper that is winch ready, other than ARB, as I want a more low profile design. Yes, I have searched the site, but there are many opinions and choices out there. I am winch savvy, but bumpers on the 2nd gen are new to me. Want strong recovery points and the ability to fit a 9500 - 12K winch. (doesn't have to be off Amazon)

 

US offroad is low profile and pretty affordable.

 

im on my second winch on my 3rd gen tacoma. The bumper manufacturer recommended a 10k winch but I put in a Smittybilt 12k synthetic after mutilating the inside of the grill to fit it (I had the winch laying around for a few years new in box). Now I'm running a Badland 12k synthetic after breaking the Smittybilt and it works awesome! I use my winch pretty regularly in the winter recovering myself or others. I did a pretty taxing recovery on a burned down K5 in the woods which I believe is why my winch frame broke and the mounting plate in my pumper is warped... and my rope broke at the drum which I just tied it in a knot and re-wrapped it. but otherwise my charging system/battery, all that jazz is stock.

Definitely go with synthetic rope and I'd say a 10k rated would be sufficient. synthetic's safer and lighter. I was never trained or really had any buddies with winches... I've just watched enough recoveries and offroading on youtube to understand the basics of it. Also just an understanding of physics and weight transfer of course. Also buy tree savers, synthetic shackles, kinetic ropes, and a snatch block. Then you'll be set to pull out your buddies or yourself.

 

Look over Relentless bumpers for second gens. Echo above about synthetic rope and accessories depending on what your doing. Aside from pulling myself and others out a winch is good for pulling stumps.

 

Relentless fab, been happy with mine. Fits a badland apex (hobo freight) 12k w/ remote mount control box.