product comparison - HIDDEN Winch Mounts

Yeah they sent everything and a good set of directions with pics for each step as well. Really well done. I've mostly used it to cut trees lately since I replaced the taco with a land cruiser for wheeling duties. I was going to put a front locker in as well but I lucked up on my factory locked 96 land cruiser instead. Now I don't worry about scratches...

 

That's awesome! I'll definitely check them out. If I have questions about that install I might message you. Whenever I get the winch installed, I'll let you know!

 

Works for me!

 

I just finished the SDHQ hidden mount on my 2019 Tacoma using the Warn Evo 10S. Winch fits fine and the SDHQ kit is pretty nice. Biggest issue is that you have to separate the control box from the winch and figure out a mount for it. I ended up fabricating a couple steel brackets and mounted it to the cross bar in front of my radiator.

Also, they don't have a template for cutting the bumper cover that matches the fairlead for the Evo 10-S, so it's a little bit of a leap of faith as to where to center it and how to trace it. I mangled it pretty badly the first time and bought a new black piece for my bumper cover. I oversized the cut on my old mangled part, but installed it completely so I could precisely measure where the fairlead mount bolts are relative to known features on the bumper cover. Once I had those holes mapped out carefully, I drilled bolt holes in the new black piece and bolted my fairlead directly to the black plastic piece. Once I had the fairlead bolted onto the plastic piece, I carefully traced the perimeter and dremeled it out. Once I had it roughed out, I sanded it with a sanding block. End result looks pretty good. I would have preferred to see SDHQ put nutplates on the back of the mount plate for attaching the fairlead. Seems like if there were nutplates, then you wouldn't have to be so precise in your cut, and you could sandwich the bumper cover between the fairlead and the mount. There's probably a good reason why they didn't do that, but I think I would have preferred it.

My $0.02....

 

Looks rad! I think you could've used the SDHQ solenoid relocation kit instead of fabbing your own bracket. That said, you saved some coin and it came out nice!
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/16-current-toyota-tacoma-sdhq-built-zeon-relocation-kit

 

bca73, that looks great! Good job putting that together. I haven't had the time to look into the SDHQ yet, and install, but this is great info. I still have my winch sitting on the garage floor :/
You and HMM have been helpful. I just have to make the time to install once I buy the mount.
Thanks!

 

"One man's trash, that's another man's come-up"

 

I'm also running the SDHQ hidden winch mount with WARN Zeon 10S Platinum. I did a few posts with pictures about the install but don't want to continue spamming the same post, so link to the install is below.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-7906#post-23299300

Final product:

 

Hey all,
Just recently joined with my new 2021 4runner, and I am completely new to this fun stuff

Looking for recommendations on a hidden winch, or a low profile bumper to not block the TSS.

Also, a good place to do the work, preferably west Ottawa (Kanata, Stittsville) area.
Where you all doing this work? (those who can't do it themselves) I will need some more stuff done...

Please and Thanks !

 

Almost wish there was a low profile bumper with a front receiver, keep it light as a daily driver and load up the winch when I go out with the ability to move it to the rear.

 

I have a hidden front winch receiver for my Warn XD9000i mounted on my '98 Ranger so I can winch both front and rear. I thought about the same on my new 21 Taco...right up till I saw what was available. It's the most hideous looking POS ever!

I'm trying to find a hidden permanent mount instead so I can forgo a hybrid slimline bumper even though I really like the look of those bumpers. I prefer not to cut if I can but will if I don't secure a mount. Several of the hidden mounts seem to be no longer available like Pelfrey and a couple others that were mentioned on an old thread here. Sure would be nice to just cut a fairlead hole in the black plastic bumper piece rather that chop the bumper up.

 

Right ? LOL

Seems like a simple ask, I did see one a while ago that was "hidden" gave you a pair of shackles and the front receiver. I probably should have gotten that one then but I was debating whether I'd regret not getting any type of actual bumper.

Your original ranger set up seems perfect!

 

So...I love how clean the hidden winch mounts look when finished but I can't get past having to open the hood and reach down next to the radiator to flip the in/out switch on the winch. How are you guys handling that?

I had a 2007 for 14 years and had one of the Mobtown Offroad hidden hitch mounts with a hitch mounted winch carrier. Everything was right there when I needed it and I could easily move it to the rear if needed.

Help convince me that the hidden winch mount is a better option!

 

I'm using the Warn power interrupt kit that I control through my Switch Pro (not needed), along with a Warn Zeon 10S platinum. That way the winch physically doesn't have power until I switch that on, and this particular winch has a bluetooth controller for all controls including clutch/free spool. TBH the bluetooth controller has terrible battery life and every time i've needed it, it has been dead. Luckily it powers on pretty instantly after plugging in the USB charge cord. Not sure if they fixed that, since i've had this setup for a few years now. More details in my post below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/posts/23299300/

 

Thanks for the quick response and info! I'll check it out!

 

Went with a VR Evo 10S on mine and had my friend make an extension for the clutch handle. Clocked the housing and ran it out the front of the bumper.

 

Nice!

 

Did the tray have any negative impact on the trucks approach angle?

 

What may I ask did you use to cut the lead?Thank You

 

I took the long way around to buy basically SDHQ CV axle boots for the Tundra. I bought the OEM CV boot kit for a later model TRD Pro.

https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/sdhq-built-direct-replacement-cv-boot-kits

I need to look into the Bel Ray CV axle grease comment about it commonly being mixed with Sweptco #2 grease.

https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/mo...45988&pr_ref_pid=1334195159075&pr_seq=uniform