SSO Slimline Bumper - Install and First Impressions

Does it come with a template for cutting the plastic bumper? Does look good I like the factory look is the way to go.

 

There's no template, but the directions and pictures give you a pretty good idea of where you need to cut. All the ones I've seen look good. Hopefully I can cut mine clean.

 

Cool, I'm going to give it a try with it turned forward 90 degrees. It's much easier to turn the lever. How did you mount your solenoid? I'm trying to figure out a way to mount it where it's not just hanging loose and can slide around while still being able to reach the remote switch on the side of the solenoid box. I was thinking about making some longer wires and mounting the solenoid under the hood, but then I think I should try to mount it to the bracket that was made for the WARN Xeon.

 

Are u relocating the solenoid? Reason I ask, because if so like mine, I can show u the bracket that came with mine and it's position, along with it's location. This could give u an idea of a good place to mount and perhaps build a small bracket for it. I got the oem version with warn platinum Xeon 10s winch so there's no guessing from sso on the type of winch and how it all should mount up. I'm guessing when people get the bumper for all other non platinum Xeon winches with the access holes, they don't know what winch the person is going to use so it would be hard to give a mounting plate not knowing the size or mounting location. That's just my guess but it makes sense to me. Lmk if I can help.

 

Hey Mike, I'm thinking about relocating it yes. If you can send me any pictures you have so I can get some ideas. Mine came with the WARN bracket, but I'd have to drill some new holes to make it work which is not a problem. Pictures help if you don't mind. I'm tossing around a few ideas as I've been sitting staring at the whole thing.

I think when I talked to them, they told me that the only winches they know it works with is the Xeon and the Smittybilt x20. I haven't heard of anybody else trying to sqeeze anything other than those two in there. I'm trying to document my install for the guys who go the smittybilt route.

 

Hey Mike wish I could help more, it's been a while since I installed mine and thought u might be able to still see the bracket it's mounted on but the only way that might be able to be seen is if I removed the grill. I'm crazy busy lately so that's not an option at this time. I'm hoping maybe with the pics it will at least give u a good location to mount.

This is with front hood open looking down into the hood release lever. Mine is mounted behind the front grill on the passenger side. Stay tuned, I just got idea, maybe I can find a pic from my install thread.




This last 1 is looking through the front grill lower part head on. U can see the sso top of bar in pic at bottom.

 

Bingo, this best I got for ya Mike. U can see the black bracket to the left of the relocate. This bracket fit in that spot perfect and was bolted to a predrilled from factory hole in that location. All I had to do was sit the bracket in this location and put a couple bolts through the matched up holes. Hope this helps.

 

looks good

 

Does anyone have a pic of where the put their switch for the lights?

 

Thanks Mike! That helps. I wouldn't want you to disassemble your bumper and grill to just get pictures for me. I'll get it worked out. Had to put it on hold, son has baseball games all weekend and we're in the middle of a house remodel, so I gotta find a full day that I can devote to putting this thing together properly. I appreciate the pictures you posted though.

 

For the X20, I always leave it engaged with the power button on. With a better disconnect there is no reason to have to manually get to the control box or free spool lever. I will be relocating the control box either mounted to the left or above the lower bumper.
Some pics from this weekend.

 

Hey, do you have any pictures of where your solenoid box is mounted? I'm curious as to where you have yours. You didn't get the access holes on your SSO... you're braver than me.

 

Here's my temporary but seems more like turning permanent switch. It started with switch I got didn't fit, so I got this as temp. Have so little time, always into something, it's turning permanent, 1 day I'll get to it.

 

I will be figuring out relocating it this week. I’ll snap pics for you.

 

You da man! thanks

 

Hey, did you ever figure out your solenoid mounting this past weekend?

 

on it this weekend!, however, I think I will be securing it to the left of the winch, as you are looking at it from the front of the vehicle.

 

Good spot, that's where I got mine.

 

Thanks for sharing! I too like this subtle look.

 

Did you make any progress on mounting your solenoid?

 

I will post pics this weekend

 

Took the bumper down, tried to get the light adjusted enough to clear the winch, not possible. Better, but still facing down quite a bit. Got the bumper aligned much better. I zip tied the control box and double sided taped it to the sidewall of the SSO as well. Used the Smittybilt 8ft extension kit for power. Well worth the money for the longer wires. Pics below:

 

Thank you for the pictures.

 

Hint to everyone, I will also suggest to SSO:
Install a small piece of double sided tape between SSO and the spacer you sandwich for the bottom mount. I did this the second time because how easily the spacers moved on my original install. This time with the tape, and had no trouble, or need to reposition.

 

Part info for wire extension:

 

Looks great buddy, enjoy

 

Hey Guys, I just wanted to drop a few pictures. Finally got around to installing my SSO with Smittybilt winch. I had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to mount the solenoid. First I tried to modify the supplied bracket used for the WARN, but the way the wires are on the smittybilt I didn't like it, so in the end I drilled 2 holes in the base of the SSO and used the supplied brackets from smittybilt and bolted it at an angle. I can reach through the access hole and hit the remote switch and attach the cable part of the controller if I can't use wireless for any reason. You can see from the picture how it's mounted. I'm very impressed with the quality of the product. The installation instructions could be a bit more detailed. I'm loving the look of it! Thanks guys for all of your help and input.

 

With the SSO and a Zeon, do you relocate the solenoid, or does it fit in the normal location?

If you relocate, do you just use a Warn relocation kit?

 

Yes that's correct, I have a warn platinum Xeon 10s winch and had to relocate the solenoid. In the oem version of the sso bumper there's not enough room to keep the solenoid on there. Least not with my setup. I have that and a 30" Baja designs s8 lightbar. It's a very tight squeeze but fits perfect. You are correct with just using the warn relocate kit. Sso provides you the bracket when u purchase their bumper. You can tell them what you want and they can send it all to you. Least they did with me. The owner Kevin was great to work with.

 

Just finished installing my SSO Slimline with an Engo SR12 winch. I had to clock the clutch side of the winch to bring the lever forward in order to operate through the access hole. I also relocated the solenoid to the firewall of the truck, using three 10’ welding cables. This allowed me to route the cables securely out of the way in the engine bay and still reach the winch while sitting on the floor before the bumper was installed. Lastly, I relocated the winch controller port into the cab of the truck, down next to the driver seat.

A couple of things that “complicated” my installation:
1) The fog light harness in very tight. There is a clip holding the wiring harness to the bracket connecting to the aluminum crash bar.
2) Speaking of the brackets you remove from the aluminum crash bar, I originally had an unreasonable gap between the SSO bumper and factory bumper on the passenger side. Looks like the original owner may have given something a little love tap, so I’m figuring it is resulting from that. Ends up, I took the four screws securing that bracket to the factory bumper loose, and I was able to get enough play to narrow the gap consistent with the driver side (small gaps, I’m perfectly content with).

All in all, I love the bumper and the winch.