2016+ Tacoma Hidden Winch Mount

ok great, thanks for the info...was worried the warn fairlead wouldn't stick out past the bumper cover. I'm covering it anyway as it's law to have a front plate.

 

Would also like to see the close-up pics of license plate install!

 

I'm interested in that picture too. Would like to see it to decide whether or not to hide it behind the factory plate cover.

Here is the real question though. I don't plan on lifting the truck or moving up in tire size. I would, however, like to retain the factory rake after the winch install. I received the winch tonight and I believe it to be heavy when coupled with the hidden winch mount. Am I going to need something in the front to keep it factory height? I want to keep it simple and as factory as possible as I believe it to be a capable truck without the lifting. I'm thinking 5100's set on the 2nd to lowest setting, would that keep the factory rake and ride quality of my OR?

 

Just finished mine, I'll get some pictures up tomorrow. Adding the hidden winch and the zeon platinum 10-s lowered my front end 1/2". The hidden winch install was painless, the 40 clips on the front of the truck were a different story, what a pain in the ass. I put on the flipster v2 as well, that required some extra cutting of the chin that'll show up in the pictures. Overall it went good and took about 6 hours. I have an email out to Marie to figure out my 1/2" drop, I'm hoping 5100's will do the job.

A couple of notes

• You'll need two 7/16-14 x 1.5" grade 5 bolts to replace the bolts that came with the winch to hold the hauss on if you are using the flipster, the warn comes with 1.25" bolts that are just a hair short.
• You'll also need two 3/4" long by 1/4" stainless steel bolts, with 2 matching regular washers, 2 small fender washers, and two nylon locking nuts to attach the bumper skin to the "lower bumper bracket" that you install in step 12 of the SDHQ procedure, it says they were included but I didn't see them.

 

Really slick. Thank you for posting up the pics. Definitely leaning toward your install.

 

Nice work! Very clean install.

 

can we use the cali raised slim led mount with this?

 

Probably not. depends on the winch you choose but space is pretty limited once you get a winch back there

 

We have not done any test fitment with other than Baja and Rigid, but those did not fit with our winch mount.

 

Admittedly, I havent read all 4 pages of tis post, but Im curious if the D-ring attachments are accessible with an aftermarket (RCI in my case) skid plate. And do they get in the way at all?

 

It fits perfect with RCI skids. Still have access to the d rings!

 

Getting ready to install this over the weekend. Anyone install this with a Warn VR-series winch? Curious if the control box relocation is needed - the height on the VR is 0.75" shorter than a Zeon.

 

Ordered the relocate bracket just to be safe. @SDHQ OFFROAD - I’ll post up when done so you know for sure how the VR series winches fit.

 

Thanks! I'm thinking of going the same route. I'll be interested to know if you had to drill new mounting holes for the VR winch.

 

The mounting holes for the winch itself line up fine (exact same as the Zeon). Question will be how the control box fits in there as it’s actually smaller in the VR than on the Zeon.

 

Good luck with the install. I'll be curious to how it goes.

 

Following

 

Which VR did you go with? I'm considering the VR8-S.

 

I have the VR8-S. Still haven’t done the install yet. I did get the control box relocation kit from SDHQ. The holes in that bracket do not match my winch, but I drilled two holes and it fits fine. Install will be next weekend.

 

Finished the SDHQ Hidden winch mount install with a Warn M8000-s. I didn't do a full write up but here are some pic's from the install. SDHQ instructions are quite easy to follow and their online video is even better but both only cover Warn Zeon Winches and I went with an M8000-s instead. As a result I focused on the control pack mounting images since I had to make that up as I went. The M8000 doesn't require the cutting of the center support like SDHQ calls for (Zeon winches are taller and hit the brace).