BudBuilt Hidden Winch Mount Install with Spacers (1 Viewer)

[GXer04]

I just finished the BudBuild Hidden Winch Install today with a Smittybilt XRC 9500. I say just finished, because despite the numerous issues previous posts describe, Bud is still shipping the TR4 mount with no solution for the difference in offset on the Lexus bumper. I installed the winch last week, but had to take some time (and measurements ) to make proper spacers.

There are plenty of good threads out there about the actual mount and winch installation, so I'll focus on the solution I came up with for the fairlead spacing.


Finished product below. I removed the lanyard, and I'm keeping the hook down on the frame to keep the synthetic rope around the thimble out of the sun. There's a black protective cover on the first 10 feet or so of the rope. Let me know if my logic is wrong here.

Controller connection is in the passengers side bumper vent (you can see below), and yes, proper recovery points are next on the list. Feedback welcome.

 

[GXer04]

You can see the need for spacers here to get the fairlead in front of the bumper. Some guys say they used rubber body mounts, but I wasn't comfortable with that.

 

[GXer04]

I decided to have my brother make some spacers out of bar stock. These are 2" long 1.5" round bar with 3/8" hole. He turned them true on his lathe, so they're very straight and square.

 

[GXer04]

Here's the test fit. You can see, 2" bar would probably work, but I like the way the 1.5" radius worked out. I mounted it with 3/8-16 Grade 8 hardware. I'd say the hardware is the weak link here, not the spacers, but the fairlead came with aluminum hardward, so I'm not too concerned.

 

[GXer04]

Time to measure, measure, mark, measure again, hold breath, and cut. Taped it off and marked center.

I used a level and framing square to determine the top bumper support is exactly 7" above the center of the fairlead. Add 3/8" for the thickness of bumper material and lip, and I marked the horizontal line 7 3/8" down (again using a level and square).

I made this crude fairlead stencil. You can mark for bolt holes by measuring 5" to either side of center. I drilled a 7/16" hole to allow for my crude measuring technique, but it hit dead on.

I used a dremel, but would have used my jig saw if I could do it again. Ugly hole, but it's all covered.

 

[GXer04]

Now for the fun part, I quickly realized I couldn't hold everything in place or start the nuts with the limited space inside. I taped the spacers, washers, and nuts in place with structural grade painter's tape. This worked surprisingly well. I was able to slip an open-end wrench in to hold the nuts and tightened everything up with a ratchet on the outside.

 

[GXer04]

A few more shots and lessons learned.

The plastic bumper is really easy to remove. I can remove it in a couple minutes now that I know what I'm doing. It also replaced easily. Figuring out the fog lights was the hardest part. Don't let this be a barrier if you're otherwise mechanically inclined.

The A/C line was probably the scariest part. I very gently reshaped it to where I thought it would be out of the way and clear the clutch lever, but when I muscled the winch/bumper assembly into place, I smashed it much farther out of the way. Oops! It's still working fine and I reattached it to the original bracket in a different location.

The spacers were less than 1/8" shorter than the entire gap, but the minimal deflection is not detectable. I bought washers to take up the space, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. If I was machining my spacers onsite, I'd make them 2 1/8", but I didn't want to deal with it.

My neighbor has a bush to pull out tomorrow, but then it's off to get stuck somewhere. Again, any feedback or questions welcome.

 

[Jstawgn]

Too bad SSO decided to stop making their hidden mount.

How is this mounted to the frame horn? Is there any reinforcement that come with the kit?

How do you mount the solenoid? I end up mounting mine in front of the radiator above the winch. I use pretty narrow WARN winch plate. I seen people use wider harbor freight universal winch plate and able to mount the solenoid on the side like you.

 

[GXer04]

The SSO mount was probably more solid, but my goal was limiting weight. The SSO was so much heavier, I would have just gone with a full bumper. I'm riding on Dobinsons 2" lift, stock weight springs, so I was happy to keep this under 100 lbs. Not looking for hardcore rock crawling, but wanted a winch for the beach and sandy trails where I live.

It mounts on the inner 2 frame studs and ubolts to the steel bumper in the front. My pics with the styrofoam pad has lines drawn on it. This is where the ubolts are around the bumper. Fit was surprisingly precise.

My solenoid came with an assortment of brackets, so I used a pair of L-brackets and tech screws to mount it on the frame horn. I rested it where I wanted it and set the plastic bumper in place to check where the controller connection would land.

 

[dougc]

I used the same set up. I sourced some metal spacers on amazon to make the gap. Also, make sure your A/C liquid line isn’t rubbing the mount where it comes in/out of the condenser, it will rub a pin hole in it. Ask me how I know... looks good.

 

[theferg]

Nice write up @GXer04 ! Ive been eying the Budbuilt mount for my new GX build since WGW/SSO mount is NLA. I was thinking Bud had made some changes to it since it lists as for the GX now, but good to know that it does not have any differences vs the one for the 4G T4R.

Out of curiosity, did you ask Bud about it at all? Seems easy enough of a fix to provide some spacers with their kit when ordering for a GX instead of 4Runner. Buds a good guy, I would think hed be receptive to the idea. I mean, ideally the piece would be re-designed for the GX, but since the expectation is already to just use the existing 4G T4R mount and spacers, why not provide the spacers?

 

[GXer04]

Bud was supposed to call me. Still waiting...

I'm not really interested in doing product development for him if he markets it for the GX, provides no instructions, and won't return a phone call.

 

[dougc]

I went a couple rounds with one of his shop guys to get my GX in to help make some adjustments to the current mount since I live just outside of Charlotte. Things just never worked out and fell to the wayside. On another note, look into the factor 55 flat link. It keeps everything tidy on the front of mine.

 

[Kelevra]

Bud was supposed to call me. Still waiting...

I'm not really interested in doing product development for him if he markets it for the GX, provides no instructions, and won't return a phone call.

Seems to be very typical for these GX vendors. I really don't understand people trying to run a business and, not getting back to you.