Body armor 4x4 hiline bumper with harbor freight badlands winch?

I'm looking to put a new bumper and winch on my truck and happened to have a harbor freight winch lying around. Anyone know if they'll fit, and if not what bumper will fit the winch?

 

I had a 12k badlands on the ba hiline (grey tacoma) and now I have a 12k warn on the same bumper (quicksand).

 

12K Harbor Freight winch fits in the Hiline bumper. Been there, done that. Search for my posts.

 

Iv always wonders how much fun it is to access the on switch and freespool on that bumper. One of thr main reasons I went with a different brand. Also decided to buy local quality rather than chinesium.

 

How often do you need to access freespool?

 

Not that often but when i do i want easy access. When the winch is needed speed and efficiency is everything.


No hood opening clock the housing so the lever is facing forward. You can tell who built a looks bumper vs a function bumper. And we are using bumper as a loose term these are fancy winch mounts.

 

You just reach down and flip the lever for free spool. Accessing the switch is not hard either. Just reach down, plenty of space for your arm, hand and fingers. See the 2nd pic in post #3 above.

 

The point is generally if your in a situation that calls for a winch you don't want to have to mess around with the hood everytime you have to access the free spool option.

We had to winch a jeep with a dead 4wd module up a loooong icey hill. Took easily 12 re sets in order to get it up before we could get around to pull it. Could you imagine having to mess with a hood everytime you had to re set your winch point while your struggling just to not fall on your ass and slide down a hill.

Another was buddy got off line on a steep climb and decided to winch to reduce the odds of the truck rolling. Again a key situation where simple easy access to get the winch on and unspooled fast and safely is key.

This is why I say some companies really consider function. Reaching in there in your driveway is one thing or when your just hung up on some ruts.