billf

[I posted this a few days ago in the offroad section but got no replies, so I'll try it here in the current model section]

BACKGROUND

I bought a 2012 F150 Lariat EcoBoost 4x4 with the tow package and offroad kit. I want to add a 12-16,000# winch to the front. I'll have to buy some sort of winch mount and/or offroad bumper to mount it. I expect to do only occasional, relatively mild offroading, recovery of snow-stuck vehicles and things like stump pulling. I'm new to this topic so want to do the right thing and avoid any common pitfalls.

A possible Winch mount I've found is the Warn Gen II Trans4mer: http://www.warn.com/truck/mounting-s...r_Gen_II.shtml

A possible offroad bumper with winch mount I've found is the Road Warrior Stealth Winch Bumper: http://www.roadarmor.com/products/Bu...-number-66130B

Both of these say they have F150 EcoBoost versions.

QUESTIONS

(1) It looks like mounting a winch will add 100-150 pounds to the front of the truck. Replacing the front bumper with an offroad bumper will add another approx 250 pounds. How does this affect handling, traction, payload capacity, etc.?

(2) If I replace the stock bumper with something like the Road Armor offroad bumper how does that affect the frame in a front-end collision? Or the crumple zone designed into the truck? Or the airbag system?

(3) In looking at offroad bumpers I've seen a wide variety of bars and grilles. Where I live I need to worry about rocks, sand and desert bushes, but not deer, moose, trees, or heavy brush, so I'm thinking that just the bumper without additional bars and grilles would probably serve my needs. It's questionable about whether I'll ever add a bank of offroad lights. Am I missing something by considering only a minimal bumper?

Any advice or wisdom you can share would be appreciated. Thank you.

lilcrazyone

I was looking into the warn mounting system a few months ago, but since haven't really spent much time into looking at winches/mounts. I was also looking at a winch mount that slides into the receiver on the back as well.

Spazmonkey05

Answers!!!!

1) yes it will to some degree adding 300-400lbs will affect handing i would measure the ride height in the front before and after and see what the diffidence is if you really want to know what it does to the sag on the front.

2) hard to say i know that the crumble zone is in the engine compartment mostly but if the bumper is hard mounted to the frame it could cause frame on the other hand it might take a LIGHT front end impact with out too much cracking from plastic stock bumper parts Air bags should be unaffected the sensor is up by the middle of the rad

3) IMO the bars that come up over lights and over the grill are damage multipliers they all ways seem to bend in to the lights and grill but the biggest pain is that on some of them you cant open the hood with them on!!!

its all depends on what you want vs what you are willing to risk..... I say do it!!!! even know there are down sides its only if they happen and most of the time when the s**t hits the fan it hits it hard and does not madder if it had a stock or best after market thight out there.

My only other thing is dont block the inter cooler with the bumper that should have all the clean air it can get

Anything else just ask

volvodoc

I have a front mount reciver hitch on my 5.0. The spec book says not for ecoboost,but go by your local dealer when thy are not open and do some compairing.It has brackets that go between the tow rings and the frame. and a main beam between them.The reciver part is below the beam. A little triming with the multi tool on the lower spoiler and it fits great.The bumper cover gets a notch about 1/2 deep to clear the reciever.Google front mount hitch to see what one looks like. Do not remember who made it. 400 miles from my shop and will not go back untill the temp falls a bunch.

Watt-maker

Any pics of that setup?

billf

Ooh, hadn't thought of that. But now that you mention it the front grill is attached to the hood and it swings out quite far as the hood goes up. Great catch!

rbroome101

Careful not to hinder air flow to the inner cooler, thats why some mounts will not work on ecoboost. If you cover up the middle where others are talking about the inner-cooler will cook on you and they will not cover that under warranty.

Fast Filly

iTrader: (1)

You should not mount a front wench on to the front of the ecoboost. Even roadarmour states its capable to mount their bumper to the truck and get enough air flow however you can not put the winch in there and do that same.

I'm having the same dilemma myself. I'm currently looking for a rear bumper with winch system.

Watt-maker

Actually, the intercooler won't cook if the airflow is blocked. The IAT may be hot which may result in reduced engine power. True, Ford won't cover that under warranty if it is blocked off.

Personally, I'm waiting, hoping that someone will come up with a kit to relocate the IC higher up along with a better designed IC. If I had the time I would give it a shot with a Spearco IC. Right now I'm thinking of mounting a front receiver hitch in that bumper space.

Fast Filly

iTrader: (1)

Ya, I thought about this to. It would be really cool to put a raptor hood on the truck and have 1 small IC on each side and high up to avoid damage but I then realized all the piping that woud be required lol