SSO Slimline Bumper - Install and First Impressions

Nice work! I like the relocated winch controller port to the inside of the cab!

 

Me and my buddy just did this install last weekend on his 2014 Tundra Crewmax 4x4.

 

We ran into the same issues. The fog lights were a pain, not much room to get your hand in there. We also relocated the solenoid for the winch to the upper firewall to keep it out of water and mud. We just bought some longer solid copper wire to extend the wiring to the solenoid. We also ran the winch port as well to under the dash, unfortunately I didnt get a picture of that. We also used a Engo 12k winch which we got a steal on for $314 shipped. We had to unbolt the side of the winch though and "clock" the handle around to where it was at an angle you can engage and disengage the winch. By the way, if anyone is interested in one of these bumpers, they sent my buddy a $100 off coupon to give to a friend so if anyone wants to pull the trigger on one of these, I can give you a $100 off code.

 

@Cemented think this would work with the Ranch Hand grille gaurd?

 

I know you asked him, but I figured I would chime in with my opinion. The only issue I would possibly see, is the bumper connects using all 8 bolt locations. Im not sure if that would interfere with where your grill guard bolts to. Maybe you just might need to get some longer bolts to be able to go through both the grill guard and the bumper.

 

Thanks! The botttom brackets bolt to the tow hook bolts

 

It might work out then. The SSO bumper also connects to the factory tow hook locations so you may be ok with slightly longer bolts that could get through both.

 

Agreed! I think it would work. Especially if you ran synthetic line as the fairlead is smaller, plus if the angle of the pull with the winch was a little "funky" and the rope rubbed your brush guard, it wouldn't gouge the paint/metal on the brush guard.

 

Wow... lol. What are the odds of you posting on here and me posting it too! Haha. I didn't know that you were on Tundras.com!? I didnt even fully read through this thread before I posted all the pictures of us putting it together. Lol

 

I’m seriously thinking of pulling the trigger on the SSO mount. I have already purchased the WARN VR 12k winch and am told the Zeon 10s is slightly larger dimension wise but the bolts line up the same. So, do you think I should be fine with the fitting; I mean it is indeed built for the Zeon series? On a separate note, I’d like to see the the set up on the winch port under the dash. Excellent idea

 

You will be fine with almost any winch. Most winches have a standard size bolt pattern. We used a Engo 12k winch and it fit perfectly fine. I suspect that SSO got some kind of royalty or kick back from saying it was "designed" for that winch. I would save yourself some money and get a Engo or even a Badlands (Harbor freight). Winches are a very simplistic design overall and can me built cheap but with heavy duty parts in China and save you hundreds of dollars. Even Warn is making some of their winches in China but you are paying for the name. I have had a Engo 9k winch for 6 years and only replaced a $20 solenoid once and it still works perfectly to this day (I still have it), then had a Engo 12k for 3 years on a different truck and it never gave me single problem (sold the truck with the winch), now I have another Engo 12k on my 2014 Tundra for the last couple months or so and it works great. I personally will never buy a different winch than Engo. I used my Engo 9k to pull out a FJ Cruiser on 35s that was stuck bad and his buddy had just broke his new Warn 10k winch on his Wrangler trying to pull the FJ out. He told me no way my Engo would get it out. Needless to say I pulled him out with my very used 9k Engo. The wrangler guy said he was replacing his broken warn with a Engo after seeing that. Maybe I have just been lucky for 6 years and over 100 times of winching, but I doubt it. The fact that you can get a quality (Engo) 12k winch for about $320 shipped is a hell of a deal.

 

I guess it’s all relative to the buyer and what suits their needs. On the same note I’ve heard lots of guys share a similar story but with WARN. I’m not trying to compare or anything as I’ve already bought the WARN and don’t need another one at the moment but will definitely keep Engo in mind. Well looks like I’ll go with SSO

 

Google "winch shoot out test" and there is a well written review from a popular 4x4 magazine that tested both Warn and Engo along with other various winches. All the winches were put through the same torture tests and in the end, only Engo and Superwinch survived. The warn broke. Even if the warn had survived, people would expect it to because it costs so much. People don't expect the $300 winch to outperform the Warn. Its like if a heavy weight boxer (warn) climbs into a ring with a feather weight boxer... no matter the outcome, the heavy weight boxer has nothing to gain. Either the heavy weight champ knocks the feather weight out and everybody says "well yeah, thats what we expected..." or the feather weight wins, and everyone is amazed. Warn has been in the game so long and their prices are at the point that they better outperform EVERYONE or else its a fail.

Also Warn fans can't have it both ways. Either you have to stick with "Warn is better because they have been around so long and are American made" or you have to acknowledge that even warn moved their winch manufacturing to China to stay competitive. So if Warn is so great, and their stuff is now made in China, then its safe to say that quality winches can be made in China right? Thats a obvious yes. So now we have your chinese winch with Warns name on it that probably costs 2 to 3 times more than my Chinese winch... so what are Warn owners really paying for? Sounds to me like the name.

Do some in depth research on it. As long as your winch (regardless of the name on it) has a series wound motor, its going to last. Warn use to only use a series wound motor (I have not researched them in probably 10 years) but Engo also uses a series wound motor. I am sure there are other manufacturers that use it as well, but not all do. That is the only real difference that matters. Hell its probably the same Chinese plant making 85% of all winch parts for all manufacturers.

Also let me be clear, I am not a die hard Engo fanboy. I am a "keep as much money in my pocket as possible while still getting a quality tool" fanboy. The day I find another manufacturer with a lifetime warranty on mechanical parts, that uses a series wound motor, carries replacement parts (a lifetime warranty is worthless without them), and can ship it to my house for less than $320, I will gladly jump to their product. If Warn starts selling winches for $300 flat, Ill buy a Warn. I am not loyal to any brand. I just don't like paying double for stuff because it has some big companies name on it.

To further illustrate my point, I had to replace the starter on my 2005 Toyota Tundra. Well I like Toyota parts, they last... so I priced out a "toyota" starter. The cheapest I could find a "toyota" starter was like $320. So I asked myself... does Toyota actually build starters? No they don't. Denso builds them for Toyota. Now go price out a Denso starter for a Tundra... its about $160. They are the EXACT same starter down to the exact same weight. The "toyota" starter even says "Denso" on it. Needless to say I didn't pay $320 for a "Toyota" starter.

I'll climb down off my soapbox now.

 

I think I opened up a can of worms here. I didn’t mean for this thread to be hi jacked and am really not trying to get into a pissing contest here I just wanted to know if it will have issues mounting. By the way I ve researched this product and am happy with the reviews. I’m not a hardcore off-road guy but do live off road and want something that will be sufficient enough for self recovery. I’m not doubting Engo’s prowess. I’m sure it’s great

 

I definitely didn't mean for it to be a pissing match. I bombard people with statistics, facts and a ton of info in hopes that it enlightens people to not spend so much money and still get a quality product. Yes I am talking to you, but I also know that hundreds, if not maybe thousands of people will read this over the next couple years when researching winches/bumpers. I enjoy helping people as I am undeniably addicted to research. I spend at least 3 hours a day researching how stuff is built, what materials are made out of, why they engineered it a certain way, etc. Its basically my hobby. I am the guy who usually goes into stores where they are selling something, and I usually know more specifications about the product I am looking at than the guy selling it. I prefer to talk to the technicians that build or work on the stuff, or even better the engineers who designed it. So I hope you didn't take it as a pissing match. Just wanted to show you (and other who read this) there are other options. To be clear, I don't think warn is junk. They are probably better than most other brands out there. I just know there are at least a couple brands that are on par with their quality for a lot cheaper. That was my point.

 

Point taken, but I do believe there is a thread just for winches where this can be taken. At any rate, my apologies. As an Elementary school teacher I’m stickler with my students on sticking to the subject and not straying off the beaten path and that spills over into other areas for me. I do appreciate the research and info. It was quite interesting.

 

First time I've seen this bumper. I really like the looks!

 

I’m told by SSO that the solenoid will have to be relocated to the engine bay. I have a lot of questions regarding this. My WARN winch is not the Zeon series but the screw mounts are the same. Ironically mine is rated for 12k pounds but is dimensionally smaller.

 

If you did not get the Zeon I would assume you would need the cutouts in the SSO bumper, since you winch is not the pure wireless option. I have the X20 and mounted the control box on the side so I can still access it through the cutouts. Just drill mounting points on the SSO baseplate.

 

I got the zeon and mine definitely needed the warn relocate kit. Mines mounted behind my grill. But like @InfernoPRO said, u may b able to do same as him. For mine there was zero room for solenoid.

 

I appreciate your help. I’m sure I’ll visit this thread again ask more questions as I’ve pulled the trigger on the SSO bumper. Thanks

 

Where specifically did you relocate the control module for the Warn 10-S for the SSO bumper? I'm about the pull the trigger on buying this bumper with that winch for my 2019 Tundra TRD Pro, but I'm not sure about how / where specifically the control module gets relocated. I'm not seeing any real ideal spots in the engine compartment where that module might fit. Is there space on the inside of the bumper itself next to the winch? Thanks in advance.

 

SSO includes a relocation bracket for the XEON Platinum control box. It relocates it to the lower passenger side radiator bracket/mount behind the bumper. You would need to purchase the short relocation wiring kit from Warn.

 

Here you go (This is the Warn Xeon Platinum 12 S, but the same dimesions & control box) .....

 

Oh great. So SSO has provisioned for that relocation and that winch. And the short kit will be enough? I was going to order the winch somewhere else and I'll get that kit at the same time. Thanks.

 

When I ordered my slimline bumper i made sure that the relocation bracket was included. (And I think they include it anyway) I did not purchase the winch from SSO since i was getting a deal from another online dealer. The short warn relocation wiring kit is suffice.

 

Oh, yes. I see now. yes the short kit will be plenty.

Even Better. The 12 S is the same dimensions as the 10 S?

 

Yup the same dimesions, and I basically paid $50 more for a 12 S (compared to a 10 S) , so no brainer on my part. Even the weight is the same! Good luck on your purchase! This site has been a major resource, and most all folks offer so much knowledge + comic relief sometimes.......

 

Lot of good info above. Mine is secured to the SSO supplied relocation bracket. If u look at 1st pic u will see my train horns in middle pointing down in pic, they're black. I included that to show theres plenty of room to mount behind the grill. If u look to bottom left of that pic u will see the multi colored harness coming out the top of the relocation power supply. That hopefully gives u an idea of orientation behind the grill. Like others mentioned its lower left passenger side looking at front of grill from in front. If u look at my pics it sits on the bracket SSO provides to the left of the middle brace that sits vertically between the factory horns. Hope this helps. Between this and the other info already mentioned, you should have a pretty decent idea of location now. If not, no worries, ask away, we will try to help further. Mine has been setup like this for over a year and knock on wood zero issues. Good luck.

 

Excellent. Thanks for all the help. Made the order and now gotta wait for fabrication ~8 Weeks. It'll be worth it. I think its a great looking bumper. Thanks again.