Winch Bumper no lift

Hey there,

I'm new to the forums and have searched for this scenario but haven't exactly found what I'm after. In the future, I'm planning on buying an expedition one bumper for my 3rd gen and install a winch at the same time. However, my purposes in doing so are both for the functionality of the winch but also for the front end protection (particularly from hitting deer).

That said, there's a lot of weight involved with those two possible additions that would need to be handled. I'm not interested in a lift currently since I don't wheel enough to want different tires/gears but would like to retain stock performance after these heavy additions. Is the best option putting a stiffer spring under the front? I'm hesitant of spacers due to the shocks being partially compressed at under weight instead of under driving. It seems like the ride would be different, or at least affected somehow.

I'm slow in my mods or parts choices since I want to be completely satisfied with what I end up getting - which is hard to do all the time. But hey, a man can try.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

You will definitely want a stiffer spring, I'm sure there are options out there for a heavier spring that don't affect ride height. A heavy bumper and heavy winch will sag the front end on stock springs, if not right away then definitely after putting some miles on it.

Not to mention, with stock springs and all that added weight it would likely affect the ride quality going over speed bumps and the like, making it feel too soft and causing you to hit your bump stops more easily. A stiffer spring will compensate for that.

 

☝☝X2. When I added a wings and bumper to my ‘02, it started sagging within 2 months. Upgraded springs and shocks. Sits close to stock, maybe a tad higher. 5100’s set a 0” too

 

Could you just set your 5100’s to the second or third notch and use original springs to compensate for sag?