Hidden winch & air flow?

[DHH]

I have been thinking about installing a hidden winch, but I'm concerned about the lack of airflow to the intercooler.
Ford has that space in order to cool the charge air. Putting a winch there will block nearly all the airflow.
These trucks don't have a charge air temperature, so I doubt anyone has a before & after temp, but to those that have the hidden winch, have you noticed any side effects?

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[Chattownranger]

I have the 589 fab winch mount and have had it on my truck since early November and I, too, was concerned about airflow until I installed my winch. That is when I realized the inner cooler is actually behind the grill and that is the a/c condenser in the lower opening in the bumper. Not that I ran my a/c a ton since November but when I have I noticed no loss in cooling. Also I use my winch all the time and love it being hidden in that perfect little nook in the bumper.

 

[Chattownranger]

Well it wasn’t too costly. Just a tad over a grand for everything. I got the whole shebang from 589 Fab except for the cables which I made up myself. Had to make longer cables because the solenoid box has to be removed from the winch to mount it in the cradle. I have pulled vehicles, my truck, stumps and all sorts with the winch. Not to mention that at this point in my life off roading is a lot different than years past. Usually I am the lone truck out there and don’t have 5 other trucks to help me out in case I get in a bad situation unlike back in the day where we went as groups.

 

[DHH]

Whoo Hoo! Someone responded.

I appreciate the feedback. I didn't realize that was the A/C cooler I was looking at. That greatly reduces my concerns.

the1mrb, I'm having the same thoughts. I don't know if I'll ever use it....but if I need it just once, it'll be worth it. Also undecided if I want it hidden or on a receiver mount. I can see more use from it if I have it on a receiver, but I really don't want to have to carry around in the box of the truck all the time. My thought is to just use the Harbor Freight special and fab my own mount, so cost would only be a few hundred. I have time to think about it more though, because I'm in Canada and it'll be a while before the border opens back up.

 

[Chattownranger]

My buddy was looking at the hf special and was talking with me about it and honestly those things are pretty legit. This was of course after I had mine installed. I’m using the rough country 9500 lb synthetic rope one and have no complaints so far.
you are absolutely right about if you only need it once it’s worth having. I’d rather be prepared and not need it rather than the other way around.

 

[DHH]

My buddy was looking at the hf special and was talking with me about it and honestly those things are pretty legit. This was of course after I had mine installed. I’m using the rough country 9500 lb synthetic rope one and have no complaints so far.
you are absolutely right about if you only need it once it’s worth having. I’d rather be prepared and not need it rather than the other way around.

Yea, the HF winches seem to get good reviews. The biggest complaint seems to be the low duty cycle. For me, the winch would be a rarely used item, so I can live with the duty cycle.
Would definitely update to synthetic rope. I've dealt with too many steel cable winches with my boats to know I'd want synthetic on the winch.

 

[DHH]

Though you have a good point about using it for other things than just off-roading. I could definitely use it for trees, stumps, yard work, ...

This is where I think I'd get more use out of the winch if it was receiver mounted. I have a receiver front and back on the truck, so the versatility would help. Sometimes it's easy to get at something nose first, and sometimes the other way round.

 

[DHH]

Also, sidenote, I can't wait for the Canadian border to open again too. My wife's family has a cabin up in Ontario (near Kenora) and we haven't been in quite a while. I also just miss going up there and adventuring. Hopefully by this fall at the latest we can cross back and forth.

We have a place in Vegas which we are selling and plan to by in Florida (because our son lives there). We want to go to FL and visit and look at places, but our F'ng prime minister has introduced rules where we have to pay $2000/person!! to stay in a government approved hotel for 3 days (on return), then you can go home and finish your 14 day self isolation.
A bunch of lawsuits already over that. I'm not a political guy, and am usually "well, it is what is", but this one REALLY goes too far.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

I have a receiver front and back on the truck

What are you running for a front receiver mount? Aftermarket bumper?

 

[DHH]

What are you running for a front receiver mount? Aftermarket bumper?

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[Sign1941]

I have the 589 fab winch mount and have had it on my truck since early November and I, too, was concerned about airflow until I installed my winch. That is when I realized the inner cooler is actually behind the grill and that is the a/c condenser in the lower opening in the bumper. Not that I ran my a/c a ton since November but when I have I noticed no loss in cooling. Also I use my winch all the time and love it being hidden in that perfect little nook in the bumper.

Where did you get the Winch mount and what kind of winch? looks great!

 

[Chattownranger]

Sign1941, thank you! I got the whole get up from 589 fabrication.
https://589fab.com/collections/ranger-mounts-organizers/products/hidden-winch-mount
It shows out of stock now but they are a small shop and kick parts out pretty regularly. The mount kit was top notch and the winch is a beast.

 

[Mustangman02232]

Not for use with adaptive cruise equipped trucks ?

 

[Chattownranger]

Thanks Viper. I really dig the fact it’s so well hidden. And it works great. Pulled a f150 out of a field and a Volvo out of a swamp last week lol. I love having a winch. Sadly I haven’t been off-roading to speak of since installing it. But soon.

 

[RCMUSTANG]

I went wheeling this weekend and didn't notice any change in running temps whatsoever with it.

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