Winch Suggestions for a Trail Gear Rock Defense Bumper

I’ll start by saying that I used the “search” function, but didn’t find anything. So, please let me know if I missed it somewhere. With that out of the way, I’m looking for suggestions from anyone with the Trail Gear Rock Defense Bumper (https://trail-gear.com/armor/rock-defense-front-tacoma-bumper-95-04.html). Of course, I want as much capability as I can, but fitment is my main concern. I’d like to avoid having to cut the grill, so I’m hoping one of you can answer my question.

Thanks in advance, fellas!

 

Well, a winch is pretty standard in the way it fits so you won't find any recommendation for your specific bumper.

Being that a winch is a tool, a powerful one at that, you should look at what type of fairlead you want, steel rope vs synthetic, rating, etc.

 

I have the smittybilt 9500 in a reg cab with that bumper. Fits without cutting but the winch clutch lever will interfere with the grill unless you clock the motor. It's recommended to regrease the motor anyway to make it easier to pull the line. Look up winch motor clocking to see what I mean

 

I’m no expert, but I’m fairly certain that the way winches are mounted is standard. That said, fitment in a bumper will depend on the bumper itself. That is why I asked about fitment in my specific bumper. I’m limited to a hawse fair lead which is in the product description (the link that I included in my post). Soooo... Thanks for your reply?

 

Thanks for the reply and recommendation! I’ve had my eye on the Smittybilt 9500, but wanted to hear from someone else with this bumper before pulling the trigger. I appreciate ya!

 

Your not limited to a Hawse. Just like winches have a standard mounting bolt pattern so do fairleads. Roller or Hawse have the same mounting points.

If your looking to keep the weight down in the front end though get synthetic rope. Using it vs cable will cut 25 lbs off the winch weight.

 

Thanks for your reply, but as you can see, the manufacturer states that this bumper requires a hawse fairlead.

 

They say it won't work because if you use a roller fairlead it would partially block the front hitch receiver. So you'd loose the ability to connect a hitch to it. Makes sense why the would say to only use a Hawse because of how close the receiver is to the mount. I assure you the bolt pattern in that bumper would accept a roller fairlead though.

 

I have no doubt the bolt patterns are the same, but that still doesn’t address my actual concern of fitment in order to avoid trimming the grill. I appreciate your inputs, though.

 

It doesn't look like anything is in the way on the side to prevent any winch from fitting length wise. I get your worried about the height but it's very easy to relocate the control box if it interferes with the grill in the height axis.

Every winch made has full specs of it's size showing length and height. I'd just take out a tape and measure your clearance from the winch tray to the bottom of the grill. Then pick a few winches you are interested in and compare the numbers. That tray is so wide open any winch should work though.

 

No problem! For the record, the trail gear bumper won't fit a roller fairlead. The dom tubing above the fairlead mount would get in the way. To fit a roller fairlead you would need to cut into that tubing. Make sure to get a synthetic line and hawse fairlead.
And winch height can be an issue. The smitybilt 9500 comes real close to the grill. Maybe half an inch of clearance. If you want something beefier, compare it the height of the 9500.

 

Could you get a steel Hawse fairlead to use with a cable winch? I'm pretty adamant on using cable since I wheel in mud and rocks occasionally and don't want to clean the line after every trip if I don't have to. Plus it's more robust for the stuff that I'm looking to do

 

Noticed a 2" receiver on the front of your rig, have you ever considered getting a winch cradle? That way you can use the winch on the front or the back plus have the ability to store it in a cool dry place when not needed.

 

The bolt pattern might fit, but it looks like a roller fairlead wouldn't fit because of the upper tube in such close proximity, not because it would overlap the hitch receiver.

 

If I am reading the original post correctly, I am under the impression that the OP is concerned about the winch control box interfering with the grill. IF that is the case, the simple answer seems to be to make sure to choose a winch that does not have an integrated control box that can be mounted either above the winch motor, or remotely to avoid any interference with the grill.
Once you've narrowed that down actual winch selection only has a few things to consider. You'll want a winch capable of 1.5 times the loaded weight of your vehicle. 9k is just about perfect for most Tacomas. If you choose steel cable over rope, make sure your hawse fairlead is also steel.
I've killed in order, a Harbor Freight winch, a T-Max winch, 2 smittybilt winches, and a Superwinch. Of the 2 Warns I've owned and used over the years, they're still going strong, and I'm currently running a Warn Zeon Platinum 12s. But your preference and budget will dictate what brand you choose.

 

Pretty much ALL winches will fit that bumper. It's a TG tube bumper, there's not a lot there to cause interference.

The only thing you really need to consider is how the control box in mounted. Some are permanently mounted on top, others can either be rotated or removed entirely.

For example, I have a Warn VR10, and it has a top mounted control box, but it CAN be remotely located. I chose not to because the wiring and finding a remote location in the engine compartment was more a pain in the ass than simply hacking up the grill. So that's what I did.

Also of note is that mine came with a Hawse, even as a steel cable winch. You don't NEED a roller with a steel cable...

 

Bro! what worked for me was.....
Warn Steel Fairlead. Do not use aluminum. Got it on eBay for $35.

You will loose the front hitch ability though.

 

Using HF discount code 66384901, the winch comes out to $312 shipped (cheaper than their 9k winch). Swap the steel cable with

$59 AlltoAuto Synthetic Winch Rope, 3/8" x 85'-25000 LBs Dyneema Synthetic Winch Rope Line Cable with Protective Sleeve for Truck 4WD Off-Road Vehicle Winch Accessory

Synthetic Rope and add an

STEGODON 10" Aluminium Winch Hawse Fairlead Black Finish Cast Iron for Synthetic Rope Winch 8000-13000LBS Winch(All Black)

Aluminum Hawes Fairlead for $99 from Amazon = $411 shipped to your door.

Alternatively, using HF discount code 37998045, the with synthetic rope = $531 shipped to your door

 

Trimed with smittybilt 10k. Had to take the grill off to put it on.

 

I didn't realize it was that tight of a fit. I have the same winch. It almost looks like the control panel could be relocated, and the housing could be "clocked" to put the clutch lever in the rear, and it might fit without trimming the grille?