Brute Force Fab official on TW

@tacomarin check your ac line. Mine has about 1/2” of clearance so is good but ymmv

 

I'm curious to hear about which winch people went with for the brute force front plate bumper?
Can somebody help offer some suggestions? I’m also not too familiar with which brand to go with. Per the website it indicates,

• Winch ready for a non-integrated solenoid winch 8000-10000lb capacity with the standard 4.5'' x 10'' mounting bolt pattern

 

Smitty x2o 10k synthetic. It works.

 

I installed a Warm VR-10s without issues into my hybrid bumper.

 

You guys think a 12k winch would work?

 

Nice, I'm on 295/75R16s right now and i don't ha e too much trouble. I rub the very tip of the bumper if I'm bouncing hard through dunes at high speed... and tear off the fender flare clips lol. Otherwise I haven't had too many clearance issues. If I were to even go to what you have now though I think it would be a problem

 

What made you decide to choose this model?

 

I know warn is one of the "standard" brands and wanted a 10k model with synthetic line. Out of the warn ones, the vr series is what fit my budget when I bought it. No real special reason. I had heard bad things about smitty built at the time from friends who have had them fail on them (~2-2.5 years ago) but havent heard much about that being an issue these days.

even then, Billy told me he runs badlands (harbor freight, this was ~2-2.5 years ago) and just gets the warranty in case it breaks a year or two later.

 

Does the center hoop and support tubes go through the top of the bumper or are they just welded to the top of the bumper?

 

welded to the top

 

Anybody elses bumper ship? My full hoop plate bumper should be here next Wednesday.

 

Going on Wednesday!

 

Loving my new front!

 

TX_Taco88 have you notice any increase in wind noise after installing your front bumper? I've always been curious if all the holes and front tires being exposed would cause some random noises.

 

Also rocking the Hybrid Front. Billy really killed it on this one!
Best looking hybrid in my opinion.

 

If i order a HC rear bumper without the swingout, would it be hard to get a swingout welded on at a later date either by billy or by another fabricator?

I remember seeing someone mention that the swingouts are modular and can be removed to save weight when it's not needed. is this true or was someone talking out of their ass?

 

Anything is possible...sure you could add it after the fact but what a pain it would be. It really doesn’t weigh that much by itself. It’s the spare and whatever else you’re hauling back there that adds up real fast.

You could remove the swingout as easily as you put it on but the spindle would be exposed to the elements (corrosion) and you will need to protect the threads on it. If you’re going to remove it, I would order the bearing housing and extra seals to cover it up, protect it and have a nice clean look.

 

Yeah i'd much rather order it with the swingout from the get-go than have to figure out adding it on later. And yeah, the spare tire weight + any other stuff is the weight I'm really worried about.

So the swingout can be taken off as needed? that's exactly what I needed to know. noted on the supplemental parts to snag as well to keep it looking clean and keep it protected.

 

Yes, just one big ass nut. I can’t remember the exact size but I would guess not many home wrenchers have that socket size on hand.

edit: I believe it’s a 1 7/16” nut.

 

Sounds like the perfect excuse to sink even more money into this damn jalopy