Added a Winch

[RockaRhyme]

Installed a Warn Trans4mer gen 3 carrier and Warn 16.5ti-s winch. Had a hidden winch on my 1500 and while I don’t go off-road often, I do have a home on a few acres with a long steep driveway. I ended up using it a few times each year around the property, helping friends, and pulling delivery drivers who got stuck or ran off my drive.

2 weeks ago my brother took a turn to fast heading out the drive and slid down in a deep gully. I had to pull him out with a couple come-a-longs and was missing my old truck/winch real hard. So I bit the bullet.

I’ve been eying AEVs HD winch bumper for the last couple months, but it’s on perpetual back order and at nearly $3k, Warn’s Trans4mer seemed a decent option at $500. I couldn’t fine anyone who had it installed, so it was a risk, but I’m happy with it. Looks alright and is super solid. Easy install, maybe 6 hours. It does require that you remove your bumper, which isn’t complicated, but tough without help. I might end up upgrading to AEV’s bumper down the road, but this thing will work for now. I’m not a huge fan of the hard angles of other bumper options and so there just isn’t much out there.

Only lingering concern is the kit requires you remove the chin spoiler/dam so the intercooler isn’t as well protected as I’d like. On the flip side, having the chin removed makes up for the airflow lost by dropping a huge winch right in front of the lower grill. I’m gonna have to figure a way to address it at some point soon.

Truck handles the weight really well, can’t tell that much of a difference, but maybe for a little more rebound over bumps on the highway. I think getting rid of the stock tires would help a bit too. Really though, if I wasn’t paying close attention, I probably wouldn’t notice a difference.

The 16.5k winch is a beast. Coming from a 12k winch in my traded 1500 which never let me down, I’m not expecting any capacity problems. Did notice it takes a ton more effort to pull the line off the spool, which is going to be a PITA, but I’m hoping it’ll get easier as it breaks in.

 

[loveracing1988]

I want one but I can't stand the way that thing looks on a truck.. like a tumor or something. No offense lol. Depending on how the bottom of it is look into the cjc off road intercooler guard. If it doesn't fit I'm sure it can be modified to fit. Definitely cheaper than replacing your intercooler if a rock goes through it.

 

[RockaRhyme]

Yeah, it's not as sexy as a hidden winch, for sure. I'm getting used to it, but I'm still checking the AEV bumper every day, so it's we'll see how long the Warn mount lasts.

That CJC guard is exactly what I had in mind. Thanks for sharing. I'll post back if I think it'll work.

 

[flan]

Just order the aev through CJC off-road, when it becomes available you’re already on the waiting list.

 

[RockaRhyme]

Just order the aev through CJC off-road, when it becomes available you’re already on the waiting list.

I just might. wish I could see it on an actual truck before spending that much.

 

[loveracing1988]

I just might. wish I could see it on an actual truck before spending that much.

Depending on where you live you might have an AEV ram dealer close to you that could have a truck in stock.

 

[BadKarma]

View attachment 31983View attachment 31984Installed a Warn Trans4mer gen 3 carrier and Warn 16.5ti-s winch. Had a hidden winch on my 1500 and while I don’t go off-road often, I do have a home on a few acres with a long steep driveway. I ended up using it a few times each year around the property, helping friends, and pulling delivery drivers who got stuck or ran off my drive.

2 weeks ago my brother took a turn to fast heading out the drive and slid down in a deep gully. I had to pull him out with a couple come-a-longs and was missing my old truck/winch real hard. So I bit the bullet.

I’ve been eying AEVs HD winch bumper for the last couple months, but it’s on perpetual back order and at nearly $3k, Warn’s Trans4mer seemed a decent option at $500. I couldn’t fine anyone who had it installed, so it was a risk, but I’m happy with it. Looks alright and is super solid. Easy install, maybe 6 hours. It does require that you remove your bumper, which isn’t complicated, but tough without help. I might end up upgrading to AEV’s bumper down the road, but this thing will work for now. I’m not a huge fan of the hard angles of other bumper options and so there just isn’t much out there.

Only lingering concern is the kit requires you remove the chin spoiler/dam so the intercooler isn’t as well protected as I’d like. On the flip side, having the chin removed makes up for the airflow lost by dropping a huge winch right in front of the lower grill. I’m gonna have to figure a way to address it at some point soon.

Truck handles the weight really well, can’t tell that much of a difference, but maybe for a little more rebound over bumps on the highway. I think getting rid of the stock tires would help a bit too. Really though, if I wasn’t paying close attention, I probably wouldn’t notice a difference.

The 16.5k winch is a beast. Coming from a 12k winch in my traded 1500 which never let me down, I’m not expecting any capacity problems. Did notice it takes a ton more effort to pull the line off the spool, which is going to be a PITA, but I’m hoping it’ll get easier as it breaks in.

Good evening, was looking at getting this as well. Kinda confused if I need the part number 107651 or the mounting bracket kit as well? If that’s the case that’s over a grand combined and i would rather get a ranchhand or similar winch capable bumper.

 

[RockaRhyme]

Good evening, was looking at getting this as well. Kinda confused if I need the part number 107651 or the mounting bracket kit as well? If that’s the case that’s over a grand combined and i would rather get a ranchhand or similar winch capable bumper.

yeah, I remember it being confusing when I ordered. It was especially confusing because they had some outgoing parts still available alongside the newer ones. I ordered a full kit (part number 104288) for $500 that included everything for the heavy winches; bracket AND carrier. I seem to remember 104288 was a clearance part and that it appeared to me then that Warn was breaking the kit into separate part numbers.

Looking at their catalog today, I don't see what I had ordered and it does appear that you'd need to order the bracket (108004) and the carrier (107651) for a total of $1,100. It's interesting though that the 108004 is pictured with the bracket AND carrier, while the 107651 is only pictured with the carrier... if they were smart enough to remove the bracket from the carrier photo, why wouldn't they have removed the carrier form the bracket photo? I'd call and see if 108004 actually does include everything you'd need.

Back when I was going through this, if it'd been $1,100, I'd have skipped it over for sure. However, I've no complaints about the Trans4mer... it's heavy duty, hasn't given me any problems at all, has held up very well to weather and use, and it with the stock bumper are still well below the total weight of most (any?) aftermarket steal bumpers. I've even grown used to the look of the thing... it's not pretty, but honestly I haven't seen a full steel bumper in person that does look good. Even the AEV looks odd on a stock truck (especially if there's any chrome on the front)... they look cool as hell on full overland builds without a doubt, but I've got no interest in going that route.

If all you're looking to do is some pulling, the trans4mer is a great option, maybe even at that price.

 

[BadKarma]

I like the look actually, for the price I seen Fab Four has something similar and it’s 800, doesn’t require to remove the bumper for install either. I’m curious about it. The transformer is something I wanted originally though

 

[BadKarma]

Winch Mount

Building on our reputation for the highest quality and design in the Truck & Jeep market, the Fab Fours’ Winch Mount focuses on strength and durability. This one piece fully welded Winch Mount is easy…

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[BadKarma]

yeah, I remember it being confusing when I ordered. It was especially confusing because they had some outgoing parts still available alongside the newer ones. I ordered a full kit (part number 104288) for $500 that included everything for the heavy winches; bracket AND carrier. I seem to remember 104288 was a clearance part and that it appeared to me then that Warn was breaking the kit into separate part numbers.

Looking at their catalog today, I don't see what I had ordered and it does appear that you'd need to order the bracket (108004) and the carrier (107651) for a total of $1,100. It's interesting though that the 108004 is pictured with the bracket AND carrier, while the 107651 is only pictured with the carrier... if they were smart enough to remove the bracket from the carrier photo, why wouldn't they have removed the carrier form the bracket photo? I'd call and see if 108004 actually does include everything you'd need.

Back when I was going through this, if it'd been $1,100, I'd have skipped it over for sure. However, I've no complaints about the Trans4mer... it's heavy duty, hasn't given me any problems at all, has held up very well to weather and use, and it with the stock bumper are still well below the total weight of most (any?) aftermarket steal bumpers. I've even grown used to the look of the thing... it's not pretty, but honestly I haven't seen a full steel bumper in person that does look good. Even the AEV looks odd on a stock truck (especially if there's any chrome on the front)... they look cool as hell on full overland builds without a doubt, but I've got no interest in going that route.

If all you're looking to do is some pulling, the trans4mer is a great option, maybe even at that price.

Found the “obsolete” p/n that comes with both and currently on sale for just over $300. Waiting to see if they actually have it in stock and will ship. Next will be selecting the winch (leaning towards at 16.5k warn.) I definitely don’t do heavy off roading. However, I hunt alone and don’t want to be tapped out all by my lonesome.

 

[RockaRhyme]

General consensus is 1.3 - 1.5 of your curb weight at a minimum. I had a 12k Smittybilt on my 1500 and never ran into any issues pulling loaded medium duty box trucks out of ditches. Don't think I ever really stressed the thing.

Went with the big daddy 16.5k Warn on the 3/4 ton though... was thinking that if I got myself stuck while the camper was hooked up, that I might want that extra capacity.