Bumper/winch vs. lockers for 'froading

I want to do more 'froading, beyond forest service roads and more like 'Jeep trails' and "moderate" crawling.
The truck is a 2012 base 4x4 RC.
I have put a suspension lift in already, along with skids and sliders, some decent tires.
So what next?
1) front bumper and winch
vs
2) lockers*

Can't get it all at once, but which would you rather have to go get unstuck with?




*Yes I just posted a ? about lockers in Technical Chat, but it is all related, see? If y'all convince me to go lockers first, then I need to plan (as I just learned) for them both to go in together. $Cha-ching$ $Cha-ching$

 

To get unstuck with? A winch. A bumper won't help you get unstuck, and lockers are to keep you from getting stuck in the first place. Seriously though, you can get plenty far out there without lockers.

Also, beware cheap winches. Some people love theirs-i had a terrible time with a $550 TJM years ago. Buy once, cry once. Also be sure to maintain it!
You may also need to consider changing front springs with the bumper/winch combo. You could probably get away without doing it with a hidden winch mount. This is the problem with piece-mealing a build, but I know it's the only way sometimes. Weight is important in spring selection.

 

What’re the odds of find an elocker off of a wreck 2nd Gen?


I’d try and find one of those and then get a hidden winch mount and a HF Apex synthetic line


I only say this cause it’s basically what I did.

 

I’d go lockers, then down the road track down a used winch bumper for cheap.

 

Ahh, but the stock bumper is winch-incompatible!

The winch I have in mind is the Warn VR 10S -sort of in the middle, price wise- and am looking at BAMF options to mount it to...
Yes, all hail to regular maintenance!

I already have the weight appropriate springs/COs.
Which weighs heavily on the side of getting bumper/winch over lockers this time, hmmm.

Anyway, I do appreciate your suggestions!



Still compiling.....

 

Did you swap out the whole 3rd member? I feel like 2nd gen with e-lockers use a different axle than those without?
I thought about going this route, but I don't really have all the resources/skills to do it myself. Might have to host a meet-up thingie.

But if I did the swap, I would kick myself for not just getting the OR to begin with, along with the factory warrantee.
And in the end I'd still prefer air lockers + OBA and a front locker option over an e-locker.
(Which is why I got the base 4x4, so as to not pay for lockers twice.)

But tbh if I could do it myself, I would consider it more favorably.


And ain't no hidden winch bumper gonna cut it. I need steel plate, cuz you know, malls.
Peeps be freakin mobbing they shopping carts up in there.

 

I have been scouring the place for a good deal on a bumper, but they are rare in NorCal when you are looking for one.
But lockers are very appealing.
And sexy!


Any 'other' particular reasons you'd do lockers before a winch?

 

Hidden winch bumper and arb air locker in the rear. Make sure to install a bigger compressor and tank so you have onboard air. That way you can pressurize your outdoor shower or whatever overlanderers are doing nowadays. I like the subtle look of the hidden bumpers but still get the safety factor of a winch when I’m up on the hill by myself.

 

33s will happen. Which would probably be paired with a regear. And we're back to lockers.
The front locker would not be not the highest priority per se, other than 1-time only, low, low cost of installing it right then.
And better to have and not need, is the thinking...
But hey I appreciate the perspective- sometimes you just don't need what you don't need!

And yes, the added weight of bumper/winch will be a drag, but what can be done?

 

Nice rig there!

I don't mind the idea of hidden winch bumpers.
Other than the bumper itself won't hold up in the rocks.
Plus there are way more anchoring options on a proper aftermarket bumper.
Also the stock approach angle could be better.


As to the OBA, I don't think I need an extra tank for airing up and lockers only.
Maybe if I get some air tools tho!

 

CBI hidden mount

 

I think it really comes down to what you plan on doing with the truck..

I can tell you in my experience (more so mud and snow, less rocks), once you're stuck a locker probably isn't going to be enough to get you out. And really you would probably put the locker in before hitting something difficult anyway. So if you're stuck and already locked then you're really stuck.

All that being said Ive only used my winch on myself two or three times. And probably the same number winching other folks. Hands down my most used piece of recovery gear is my MaxTrax.

One thing I will say about winches is you need to read / follow the user manual regarding maintenance. The Smittybilt I have says to run it once every month. Spool out 15 feet, free spool another 30-40, then wind it back in under tension. Keeps everything lubricated and helps avoid issues when you really need it. I think thats a big step most folks miss (regardless of brand).

 

You’d have to do the whole axle, if you can do leafsprings you can change an axle.

You only need to do so both the front and rear diff at the same time if you’re planning on changing gear ratios. If it just a locker it doesn’t matter.

 

Rear lockers 1st. If you want a winch I like the hidden winch approach. You save a lot of weight and expense by skipping a heavy front bumper.

Winches:

Until you get into 4 figures they are all made in China. Even the ones with Warn stickers on them. A 9000 lb Harbor Freight winch will do just fine at about 75 lbs. Add the mounting hardware for a hidden winch mount and you're only adding about 100 lbs to the front of the truck

 

I say neither. Just go. Find a local club and go with them, meet new friends.

After a few runs out there, you'll know what you need to get deeper into the hobby.


A lot of these upgrades can be very terrain specific. what works best for the various methods of recovery really depends on how sloppy/steep the trail is and how reliable the anchor points are.

 

I believe I will protect my investment and properly maintain whatever winch I end up getting!

And yeah, if I am stuck and locked, it is winch time!

I did not change my own leafs , but to be fair I had a shock mount relocate done at the same time, and I don't weld.
Ideally I would wait to get it all done (regear for 33s' and lockers) at the same time and save some labor monies.

You are correct about price and country of origin. But not all factories are the same and each company has the ability to set their own specifications, tolerances and QC. This is where brands may vary in quality despite a common county of origin.
That said, I am reconsidering HF now as there are several hundreds in savings to be had there up front. If the long term quality proves comparable. Which is likely a function of the quality of maintenance. Hmmm. Thanks for blowing up my plan!

Lol, let's go!
Terrain types I traverse include the rocky, sandy hills of CA (e.g. Hollister) and 4x4 trails in the Sierra Nevada (e.g. Gold Lakes area). Conditions can be steep, loose, off-camber, exposed and tight. Natural anchor points can be close and abundant or non-existent.
I believe both lockers and a winch are potentially appropriate here.
I guess I was really trying to decide which to invest in first.




Anyway, thanks all for chiming in here.

 

I bought a 12k synthetic winch from Cal Ranch for $499.99 plus tax and all, it seems to be the same winch HF has, so there’s another option.

 

At that price I'd begin to wonder if that synth rope is up to spec!
But maybe that's an unfounded fear.

I would almost rather pay a bit more and, rightly or wrongly, not worry about the gear not failing each time I use it.
So I may be a sucker for marketing. Or paying for quality/what you get?

But synth rope concerns aside, the actual longevity is likely more dependent on the quality of maintenance than brand name, so I am still not decided.

But thanks for the suggestion and keep us posted on how that winch holds up with use and over time!

 

Lockers are for getting you IN to trouble, winches are for getting you OUT of trouble.

I'd say as far as safety equipment goes, it's the winch. I spent a little more for a Warn 10k winch because i want to be able to have confidence that it'll work when needed, and I don't have that confidence with some of the cheaper brands.

As for synth vs. steel line, even the most expensive brand name ropes degrade over time and don't do well with abrasion. I went with steel so I don't have to worry about that. If you use your winch a ton (i.e. constantly lugging it up and down the hill), or are super concerned about weight, then go with synth.

 

Depends where you go wheeling. A winch is only as good as your anchor. If you’re solo in Death Valley, then a winch won’t be much help without another vehicle to use as an anchor, if you are in the Sierras, than a tree strap and winch may be all you need. On other hand a locker only helps yourself, I like to think a winch is more versatile in that it can help recover others plus pull the occasional fallen tree out of the way.