Running a Winch in the Rust Belt

[Forrest_Ranger]

Hey All,

New member here. I have a question for anyone who has had a winch on their vehicle in the Midwest. I've always lived in the Upper Midwest where they seem to pave the roads with salt in the winter. Wanting to put a winch on the Ranger but I have hesitations about it. I know someone who had a 589 hidden winch set up on their Ranger and I love the way that looks and is set up. But after a year in Minnesota the bracket and winch are already rusting. I keep my vehicles for a long time so I am just imagining what it would look like after 4-5 years on the front tucked behind the bumper.

Any insight from people who have had winches on the fronts of their trucks in harsh winter climates where salt and rust are inevitable?

Thanks!

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[maxbottomtime]

There is a member here that makes a receiver for the front. You can then get a single winch, move it front to rear, etc. @Heavy Duty is the maker. I'm very happy with my choice. Winch stays in the bed, under the cover (or if doing urban driving stays in the garage).

 

[Wang.S]

Just like any other item you add to your truck, you gain extra maintenance to complete.
If you protect it and clean it as best as you can, and as often as you can, it should last you longer than if you forget it exists under there.
Prior to installing, take the time to add extra protections regarding corrosion. Paint the brackets with better paint, paint any bare metal or exposed metal of the winch. Run your winch line out often and wash it down.

 

[Charley]

Southwest Ohio. salt and rust here, but not as harsh as where you are. Plus now that I am retired, I dont have to drive in as much inclement weather, or we use my wife's Forester.

I have had my winch, installed in the Warn bumper for 3 1/2 years and nearly 50,000 miles. Granted about 10K of those miles were wandering mostly the southern and western United States.

As mentioned before maintenance, mostly just keeping it clean. With how mine sits in the bumper I was not able to put a cover on it. And yes mine has seen plenty of rain as well has been used in muddy and wet clay recovery situations.

 

[9zero1790]

with the amount of winter weather and salt i dont think any mount would hold up more than a few years. the mounts may end up being a disposable item. wear out a set of tires and get a new winch mount.

 

[Dynawide]

I went with an exposed winch and so far zero issues. The Westin mount is extremely stout & so long as you keep it clean should last a long time.

 

[9zero1790]

I went with an exposed winch and so far zero issues. The Westin mount is extremely stout & so long as you keep it clean should last a long time.

I have the same one. mines seen some abuse lol. but works great.

 

[Forrest_Ranger]

I am strongly considering a front receiver hitch mount with the ability to move the winch front and back and put it in the back of the truck under the topper to keep it out of the elements. So it's good to find out that one is out there.

I've also thought of a brush guard with a 2" receiver mount too. But haven't had much luck finding one. Unless someone can link one that fits the Ranger?

Or a mount that is exterior like the Westin @Dynawide has that can be covered up and has easier access for maintenance and cleaning.

The 589 bracket just seems to be to tucked away to perform good thorough maintenance regularly without removing the bumper to get adequate access.

But I agree regular maintenance will be key.

Do the synthetic cables need to changed regularly when exposed to sunlight and the elements?

 

[Frenchy]

A little late to the party but I might as well chime in.

No personal experience from myself, but I have seen different Owners Manuals stating that anytime you drive your vehicle in harsh winter conditions you should rinse it off as soon as you can. I also remember one of my old friends from New Jersey saying how important it is to keep the vehicles clean in those circumstances or the vehicle will die of rust before you get any miles on it.

 

[Forrest_Ranger]

A little late to the party but I might as well chime in.

No personal experience from myself, but I have seen different Owners Manuals stating that anytime you drive your vehicle in harsh winter conditions you should rinse it off as soon as you can. I also remember one of my old friends from New Jersey saying how important it is to keep the vehicles clean in those circumstances or the vehicle will die of rust before you get any miles on it.

Yeah I agree with you it's best to rinse off the salt as soon as you can. However, up here it is just not practical or realistic to do that. They salt the roads several times a week up here and the temps stay well below freezing all winter. I'd have to rinse off the truck everyday I drove it if that was the case.

That's been every vehicle I've owned so far. The rust kills it before anything else. They usually run ok and still drive ok but you end up with unsafe vehicles because of what the rust does to the body, suspension, etc. Always envious when I see a nice 70's truck in the South West with not a spot of rust on it.

 

[redone17]

I have a hidden winch on my Bronco and I will say, outside of spraying it down - there is no way to really maintenance it easily. I'd have to drop it - which I guess I should probably once a year. But, that's a bit of a PITA. I just wasn't ready to commit to any other solution.

We don't necessarily need a winch on the Ranger quite yet. But, I will be scoping out options once day.

I am now wondering if a good coating of Fluid Film on some of the moving parts would be a good idea.

 

[Forrest_Ranger]

I have a hidden winch on my Bronco and I will say, outside of spraying it down - there is no way to really maintenance it easily. I'd have to drop it - which I guess I should probably once a year. But, that's a bit of a PITA. I just wasn't ready to commit to any other solution.

We don't necessarily need a winch on the Ranger quite yet. But, I will be scoping out options once day.

I am now wondering if a good coating of Fluid Film on some of the moving parts would be a good idea.

Yeah as much as I would love to have the 589 winch bracket on my Ranger I think I am leaning more towards the front receiver hitch solution. Be able to take the winch on and off to keep it out of the elements and as a bonus be able to slide it on the rear hitch too.

Might not be a bad idea. I didn't consider putting a rust coating film on the winch itself. The friend who had the winch on their truck I mentioned above the electrical connections got rusted too so putting on a dielectric grease wouldn't be a bad idea either. But I don't have too much experience with that.

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