SSO Slimline OEM+ opening?

For those of you who have the SSO slimline bumper and oem+ opening, how much of a pain is it to operate the winch without the access holes on either side?

What winch did you go with?

Do you regret not getting it with them?

thanks!

 

Bump - I’m looking for the same answer. Anyone with experience here willing to help a couple fellas out? Hoping to take the plunge on one of these in the next couple of weeks. Thanks in advance!

 

I ended up posting it in a Facebook group also and got these responses. I ended up going with no access holes

“SSO slimline without the holes. I have the Smittybuilt X20 and I cut one black fin out from the valance so I could reach in from the front. You don't even notice it's missing. You could also just open the hood and reach in the that seems like a pita. Coupled with the wireless remote it makes using the winch seamless.”

“Have no holes in mine, just open the hood and reach down to hook up the remote to my winch. It takes a little bit of time but I'll take the cleaner look over ease of connecting a plug once every blue moon.”

“I have the access holes and kind of regret it, it makes it a little too easy to access the winch clutch and spool out your cable, I worry about someone cutting my cable to steal my flathook.”

“I have without holes. Not a huge deal, just have to pop the hood to access free spool lever and hook up control cable. Recently upgraded to a Warn VR 10 Evo and it has wireless control, so only need to pop hood to reach lever. I like it all buttoned up so crap doesn't get in if I drive in high grass or weeds.”

“Without holes is not an issue at all. I don’t have that specific bumper, but I have one similar and it’s not a problem at all. IMO it keeps the winch from additional exposure”

 

You could always get the Warn Platinum 10s that has the clutch on the remote as well. No need for holes or lifting the hood. But very expensive. I've been looking for a great deal forever - as yet not materialized.

 

I looked at that one too but that price tag made me cry haha. Ended up with the smittybilt x20 just waiting on the bumper to show up now

 

No holes here. Smitty 9500 gen3. It's really not hard to do while standing on pavement. Might get tricky if sitting in a foot or two of mud but still doable.

 

Fellas - Thanks so much for all the updates. This is all really helpful. I’m one of those folks that has had the truck for a month. Still trying to do everything right when I can, learning from those that have tread this ground previously. Thanks again!

 

No access holes on my front bumper. I just pop the hood and reach in for the cable release. Otherwise my winch has a wireless controller. Never had a problem. I have the Smittybilt X2O 10k winch.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smittybilt...0000lb-Wireless-Winch-Gen2-with-/164645363287

 

Thank you for the update! Front end looking great by the way!

 

No holes here either. Like others said, just pop the hood. Prefer the cleaner look and limiting the amount of debris getting inside the bumper. Warn Evo 10s.

 

You guys are killing me with great looking front ends! Thanks for the additional confidence in making a “no hole” decision. Placing an order this evening. Is this a good time to start asking about light bars.....

thanks again!

 

Congratulations on the new bumper! You’ll love it. For lights you can spend as much or as little as you want. For a nice but not over the top option, I like the Diode Dynamics 30” SS30 combo light bar. I had it installed in the lower grille before the front bumper. No light bar will fit there with the SSO bumper and winch so get a cutout option on the SSO.

 

Hey - Thank you for the kind words and light info. Can’t tell you how happy I was to see you mention Diode Dynamics for the light bar.

I just purchased their SS3 fogs from Hotshot Off-road (forum member - seems to be a really good dude and business owner) I kind of like the idea of sticking with one lighting brand/supplier if I can. And it seems based on my research on TW the DD folks seem to make a quality, competitive product. Sounds like I’m going the DD route for the light bar. Thank you again!

 

I had my doubts about it, primarily to see the spool to make sure everything was winding on neat. Haven't seen that addressed.

Going to pick it up from powdercoat in just a few minutes, it took almost four months from ordering to being finished.

 

Hi - Thanks for your response. I think you may be a fellow Georgian. If so, howdy neighbor! Lovely truck. Was just checking out your Bussmann build. Intimidating for sure, but makes me want to give it a go.

 

No holes here either. No complaints and I've used it a few times now. I also went Smitty X20 and so far so good. The remote control has ruined me

 

If all else fails, take the grille out.

 

can't put the grille back in?

 

There’s room.

 

#weightreduction