Harbor Freight Apex on SRHQ hidden mount

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

A

ArkansasOvrland

Joined
May 4, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
39
Location
Uniontown, Ark.
I just installed the Harbor Freight Badland Apex 12,000 lb. synthetic rope winch on my 2016 Land Cruiser using the SRHQ hidden winch mount. The install was quite easy; in fact, easier that installing the WARN winch for which the SRHQ was designed. The Apex was installed without relocating the control box. The only change I had to make was to cut out part of the hood lock support. These are the steps I followed:
  1. Remove the grille, bumper, etc. as per the SRHQ instructions.
  2. View the hood lock support before cutting.
    PXL_20211001_134244382.jpg
  3. Cut the central hood lock support as shown.
    PXL_20211002_194050988.jpg
  4. Install SRHQ mount as per instructions, but do not install winch to mount.
  5. Remove winch control box and copper straps as per HF instructions.
  6. Connect wires (wire to battery and small winch wire) to winch ground contact.
  7. Install winch on mount. There is sufficient room between the mount and the hood latch to slide the winch on to the mount.
  8. Slide the control box onto the winch from the passenger side.
  9. Adjust the hood latch support cut if the control box does not fit.
  10. Reinstall the winch control box, copper straps, and strap cover.
  11. Route wires to battery. (I routed them behind the hood latch support and the radiator, through the opening at the radiator's driver's side, in front of the battery, and between the battery and the fender.)
  12. Bolt the winch to the mount. (Be careful to not overtighten the bolts as it is easy to strip them and hard to then remove.)
    PXL_20211003_180648240.jpg
  13. Connect the ground wire to the battery.
  14. Drill holes in the relay & fuse box cover for mounting the cutoff switch.
  15. Wire the cutoff switch, mount on the box cover, and connect to the battery. (Ignore the extra holes in the cover.)
    PXL_20211003_180559557.jpg
  16. Cut bumper for fairlead. (I like the look of the SRHQ fairlead but preferred the HF bolts. As a result, I had to drill out the existing mounting holes to 31/64")
  17. Install SRHQ outer bumper supports but do not tighten them until the bumper is reinstalled and bolted to the supports.
  18. Reinstall LC bumper and grille.
  19. Save the SRHQ and HF control box supports and relocation wires for other projects.
  20. Admire the new winch! (Ignore the lack of chrome parts as I am having them painted flat black.)
    PXL_20211003_215152847.jpg
I hope that this helps anyone who may be considering using the HF winch with a hidden mount.
 
Thx for the writeup.

I hadn't heard or seen the SRHQ HWM before. Only the Trail Tailer version. How do you like it?

Got any pics of the mount?
 
ArkansasOvrland said:
I just installed the Harbor Freight Badland Apex 12,000 lb. synthetic rope winch on my 2016 Land Cruiser using the SRHQ hidden winch mount. The install was quite easy; in fact, easier that installing the WARN winch for which the SRHQ was designed. The Apex was installed without relocating the control box. The only change I had to make was to cut out part of the hood lock support. These are the steps I followed:
  1. Remove the grille, bumper, etc. as per the SRHQ instructions.
  2. View the hood lock support before cutting.
    View attachment 2806240
  3. Cut the central hood lock support as shown.
    View attachment 2806241
  4. Install SRHQ mount as per instructions, but do not install winch to mount.
  5. Remove winch control box and copper straps as per HF instructions.
  6. Connect wires (wire to battery and small winch wire) to winch ground contact.
  7. Install winch on mount. There is sufficient room between the mount and the hood latch to slide the winch on to the mount.
  8. Slide the control box onto the winch from the passenger side.
  9. Adjust the hood latch support cut if the control box does not fit.
  10. Reinstall the winch control box, copper straps, and strap cover.
  11. Route wires to battery. (I routed them behind the hood latch support and the radiator, through the opening at the radiator's driver's side, in front of the battery, and between the battery and the fender.)
  12. Bolt the winch to the mount. (Be careful to not overtighten the bolts as it is easy to strip them and hard to then remove.)
    View attachment 2806268
  13. Connect the ground wire to the battery.
  14. Drill holes in the relay & fuse box cover for mounting the cutoff switch.
  15. Wire the cutoff switch, mount on the box cover, and connect to the battery. (Ignore the extra holes in the cover.)
    View attachment 2806256
  16. Cut bumper for fairlead. (I like the look of the SRHQ fairlead but preferred the HF bolts. As a result, I had to drill out the existing mounting holes to 31/64")
  17. Install SRHQ outer bumper supports but do not tighten them until the bumper is reinstalled and bolted to the supports.
  18. Reinstall LC bumper and grille.
  19. Save the SRHQ and HF control box supports and relocation wires for other projects.
  20. Admire the new winch! (Ignore the lack of chrome parts as I am having them painted flat black.)
    View attachment 2806260
I hope that this helps anyone who may be considering using the HF winch with a hidden mount.
Click to expand...

I’ve been running this winch for a year and have done several pulls. Super happy with everything but the cheap hook and fairlead. The hook hinge rusted almost right away.

I swapped everything out for Factor55 stuff.
 
Is that a typo? SDHQ?

sdhqoffroad.com

'08-21 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser SDHQ Built Hidden Winch Mount

Our SDHQ Built Hidden Winch Mount for 2008-2021 200 Series Toyota Land Cruisers will elevate your Land Cruiser's off-roading capabilities. This winch mount
sdhqoffroad.com sdhqoffroad.com
  • PART#: SDHQ-52-1650-200
  • YOUR PRICE: Regular price$1,079.95
FWIW, I think paid $475 plus shipping for a Trail Tailor.
 
tbisaacs said:
I’ve been running this winch for a year and have done several pulls. Super happy with everything but the cheap hook and fairlead. The hook hinge rusted almost right away.

I swapped everything out for Factor55 stuff.
Click to expand...
I have the same concern about the HF hook and plan to swap it for the Factor55 Flatlink E and rope guard.
 
Hot dam I wish you had posted this a month or two ago! I have had my SDHQ mount sitting in my garage for months waiting on a backordered Warn. I just got a shipping notification on the warn yesterday for about 3x the price of the badlands winch. I use a lot of stuff from harbor freight (including their tow straps, shackles, and a lot of tools). They have come a long way in the last few years as far as quality goes, and I bet that winch works great for most applications.

Best of luck and looks great. Let us know how it goes after the first pull.
 
DPA200 said:
Jeez that's half the price a a full bull bar bumper.
Click to expand...
yea, there is a lot of steel in there, mine isn't installed but it appears to be very well made and extremely stout. I talked to the guys at SDHQ before I ordered mine and that white LC is the owners. It is kindof outside the mold for their typical products but they are getting into more LC stuff because the owner is into them. Pretty cool i think. They are known for making quality niche parts like slee, trail taylor etc.

I have no need for armor, and prefer the stock look. But having a winch on board is extremely useful when needed!
 
21200 said:
yea, there is a lot of steel in there, mine isn't installed but it appears to be very well made and extremely stout. I talked to the guys at SDHQ before I ordered mine and that white LC is the owners. It is kindof outside the mold for their typical products but they are getting into more LC stuff because the owner is into them. Pretty cool i think. They are known for making quality niche parts like slee, trail taylor etc.

I have no need for armor, and prefer the stock look. But having a winch on board is extremely useful when needed!
Click to expand...
Yeah I agree SDHQ makes quality stuff. It is good to see they are giving the 200's some love now, they used to be just all Taco and 4Runner's. I can also understand wanting to keep the look stock, but with the benefits of the winch. I was down at SDHQ recently picking up my ARB twin. I was stoked they had in stock at that time it was backordered everywhere online. A nice pair out front to welcome me

IMG_1188.jpeg


IMG_1187.jpeg


IMG_1189.jpeg
 
I've read where a lot of people move the control box. Sometimes it's due to the constraints of the mounting location but others have stated it's to get it up higher and away from water. My understanding from the HF website is that the winch has waterproof ratings of both IP68 and IP69K. Do you guys feel that is good enough to not worry about leaving the box mounted to the winch (if possible)? It will be EXTREMELY rare that I'm doing water crossings to the point that the control box is submerged so I was thinking I can probably get away with leaving it attached if my Trail Tailor mount will allow it.
 
BigMF said:
I've read where a lot of people move the control box. Sometimes it's due to the constraints of the mounting location but others have stated it's to get it up higher and away from water. My understanding from the HF website is that the winch has waterproof ratings of both IP68 and IP69K. Do you guys feel that is good enough to not worry about leaving the box mounted to the winch (if possible)? It will be EXTREMELY rare that I'm doing water crossings to the point that the control box is submerged so I was thinking I can probably get away with leaving it attached if my Trail Tailor mount will allow it.
Click to expand...

Mine has been mounted on top of the bumper since day one. No issues
 
I planning this install but wondering about access to the disengage lever on top. How do you access it and does it take tiny hands?
 
I'm so torn on this or a bumper + winch. My issue is when I go out towards the country so many freaking deers. But this is pretty choice for that awesome OEM look.
 
Hey @ArkansasOvrland, sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm about to install this exact combo on my 2016 LX. Any reason to keep the control box on top of winch instead of relocating it to the control box bracket that comes with the SDHQ kitt? Only reason I ask is because it looks like it would allow you to keep the hood latch support in tact. Thanks!
 
achillar30 said:
Hey @ArkansasOvrland, sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm about to install this exact combo on my 2016 LX. Any reason to keep the control box on top of winch instead of relocating it to the control box bracket that comes with the SDHQ kitt? Only reason I ask is because it looks like it would allow you to keep the hood latch support in tact. Thanks!
Click to expand...
No reason really. Just tried to keep it simple on mine. It took no strength from the hood latch mechanism. It's basically to hold up the frame that holds cowling that covers the front engine/fan/radiator area. But I tested the unit with the relocation done and not and it's really just moving the wires and connections around. No functionality change. However, the plug and switch to go from wireless and wired are there. So you might get better access to that area with the relocation.
 
Last edited:
Gigem96 said:
No reason really. Just tried to keep it simple on mine. It took no strength from the hood latch mechanism. It's basically to hold up the frame that holds cowling that covers the front engine/fan/radiator area. But I tested the unit with the relocation done and not and it's really just moving the wires and connections around. No functionality change. However, the plug and switch to go from wireless and wired are there. So you might get better access to that area with the relocation
Click to expand...
Great, thanks for helping me think through it. Leaving the control box on top actually would make it easier to connect the remote cable in case the remote batteries die on me. Looks like the remote switch and connector are on the control box right next to the clutch lever, so I can use the same access for both.

On a 2016+ LX I don’t see any way I could easily access the relocated control box on the bracket behind the passenger fog light area.
 
achillar30 said:
Great, thanks for helping me think through it. Leaving the control box on top actually would make it easier to connect the remote cable in case the remote batteries die on me. Looks like the remote switch and connector are on the control box right next to the clutch lever, so I can use the same access for both.

On a 2016+ LX I don’t see any way I could easily access the relocated control box on the bracket behind the passenger fog light area.
Click to expand...
You’ll also have the spacing issue on the fair lead that the LC doesn’t have. There are other threads on how to solve that.

IMG_7856.jpeg


IMG_7852.jpeg


IMG_7853.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

OldCarSmell
Trail Tailor Hidden Winch Mount and Ironman 12k winch install question?
Replies
4
Views
926
foolforthecity
F
thatLC200
Phone Mount Solution for 200 series?
Replies
14
Views
2K
trudd
trudd
Romer
200 series ARB change Warn M12 winch to synthetic fairlead question
Replies
3
Views
515
kcjaz
kcjaz
E
deleted egr on a 2008 200 series
Replies
3
Views
532
bloc
bloc

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom