Hidden bumper winch for 2016 SR5

Hi--

New member, just over 2 weeks of ownership and already had to take apart the map light console after pushing a new interior bulb in with enthusiasm, blew a fuse and managed to find the 7.5A fuse in the engine compartment. But I did get LED bulbs in the interior. ;^) That said, *if* I had searched the forum first... I could have avoided the all the extra effort. lol

So in lame attempt to avoid already found issues... I'm starting here.

I want to put a winch on the tundra, but not wild about the reasonably priced after market winch bumpers. Most look too massive, IMO. I've had ARB on a couple of land rovers and always thought they did a good job of durability, functionality and looks. But the ARB for our tundras is $2500ish. Ye-ouch!

The last winch install on a Range Rover classic I buried a Warn 8K in the ARB bumper and it turned out great. So I've been looking at SDHQ hidden winch mount which is one of the stealthiest I've seen. Plus, it fully replaces the bumper reinforcement behind the cover a similar level of protection.

The other one I've been looking at is Warn's hidden winch system (with or without the mini bull bar). I've always had good luck with Warn stuff and it was a local Portland OR area company before the sold. So been doing searches and got some good info but no real comparison of the two options.

The SDHQ is about $720 shipped to Oregon. The Warn looks to be $750 for no bull bar and $870 with.

Thoughts and ideas on comparing the two? The SDHQ is more flush, but Warn sticks out a bit and even more with the bull bar.

Thanks,
Ron

 

Sdhq hidden bumper, warn winch s12 on limited. Happy as hell

 

Cool! How do you access the clutch/freewheel lever? The warn has access port but the SDHQ seems to need "The Force" to flip it.

 

mine is remote controlled

 

Welcome from Oregon…. I’m no help other than that. I’ve seen the Warn semi-hidden and it blends in very well if the color is right. I saw one on a dark grey Tacoma in Albany and almost didn’t notice it…

 

Thanks! Sorry for the delay in reply and been dealing with family in the holidays.

 

If it was manual would you be able to access it with the hood up? im trying to figure out if i need the bumper holes for a cheaper winch

 

No idea. Call them very helpful people

 

Just food for thought I just ordered my hybrid slimline from Southern Style Offroad, onsale through the end of the month. Completely customizable to your order. Seemed like the best option for what I was looking for. Now I just need to decide on what winch I’m gonna run.

 

Did you get the winch access holes in the front? Im guessing I would need a fully automatic winch like a warn zeon platinum to skip the holes but I cant really tell whats what as far as winches go - other than I dont want to spend $2500 on a winch lol

 

I skipped the access holes, no need with wireless ability. I got the light bar cutout and standard winch opening. Basically the same pictured on there website. The selling point for me was the weight of the bumper and how it basically looks very close to OEM .

 

thank you - what winches are you considering? i like the clean look as well

 

Right now I’m looking at the Badland 12,000 or the smittybilt 10,000 X2O gen 2. Both have wireless remote and are under $600.

 

Eriktundra - sorry for all the questions - im new to winches. i was thinking wireless was just the remote and i would still need to access holes for the lever

 

I’m no pro by any means. My understanding of the wireless control unit is once you are engaged with the wireless selection there is no need for the lever unless your selecting free spool . I’m sure someone reading this with way more experience will correct me or chime in with better input.