LFD Adjustable Hidden Winch Mount with Recovery Points

[AverageCadaver]

I recently purchased a 2011 GX460 and was looking at getting this hidden winch mount from LFD. They have pictures of it mounted on the 2014+ model, but not the 2010-13. I was wondering if anyone here has installed it or has and has pictures of it on their GX. I like the idea of having the hidden winch and recovery points, but wanted to see what it looked like before I pulled the trigger. I did already contact LFD directly and they said to ask the forums, so here I am.

Link: Adjustable Hidden Winch Mount with Recovery Points - GX460 - https://lfdoffroad.com/collections/bumpers-gx460/products/adjustable-hidden-winch-mount-with-recovery-points-gx460

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[r2m]

You may want to give them a call and see if they can dig up a photo of a customers car or a near finished prototype that they'll have on file.
If they make one, I can almost guarantee they'll have some photo's.

 

[Acrad]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-2nd-gen-2010-present/884230-gx460-hidden-winch-mount-2.html#post10852878

 

[AverageCadaver]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-2nd-gen-2010-present/884230-gx460-hidden-winch-mount-2.html#post10852878

This isn't the version with the recovery points. I want to see what cuts need to be done for the recovery points and how it will look.

 

[Acrad]

I have not seen anyone post a picture of that specific version on a 10-13 model

 

[Washingtontaco]

The problem with hidden winches is lack of visibility of the winch line/drum and access to unfoul the rope if it gets tangled. I'm a bit surprised LFD is making this bumper as Jay knows better.

I realize this is a full bumper, but as you can see good visibility and access to the winch line and drum.

 

[AverageCadaver]

The problem with hidden winches is lack of visibility of the winch line/drum and access to unfoul the rope if it gets tangled. I'm a bit surprised LFD is making this bumper as Jay knows better.

I realize this is a full bumper, but as you can see good visibility and access to the winch line and drum. View attachment 3253942

Yeah, that's a good point. That wasn't something I really considered, but that bumper looks pretty good

 

[Washingtontaco]

Yeah, that's a good point. That wasn't something I really considered, but that bumper looks pretty good

Thanks. Its a Victory I modified to install a roller fairlead.

A lot of our clients get pretty upset in class when they realize spooling the line back on the drum is a major PITA.

 

[Washingtontaco]

In my professional opinion this bumper offers a way better option.

Hybrid Front Bumper - GX460 2010-2013

We've designed our bumpers with one goal in the forefront: to be able to stand up to the rigors of actual off road use. Our new front bumper offers unprecedented winch access, allowing you to easily access the winch clutch and controller and safely see the winch line. Open winch access is...

lfdoffroad.com

 

[Rednexus]

Just as an FYI, if you are doing the type of off-roading that will require a winch, you'll likely damage the remaining, intact portions of the OEM plastic bumper outside of the LFD hybrid or hidden winch mount. While the GX has a decent approach angle, I've hit both lower corners of my front bumper on some relatively mild off-roading with a 2.5" lift. It's not a regular occurrence but it does have some scratches and the paint is starting to flake in a couple areas. A full bumper isn't that much more than a LFD hybrid bumper, will provide quite a bit more protection, and will improve the approach angle.

 

[r2m]

The problem with hidden winches is lack of visibility of the winch line/drum and access to unfoul the rope if it gets tangled. I'm a bit surprised LFD is making this bumper as Jay knows better.

I realize this is a full bumper, but as you can see good visibility and access to the winch line and drum. View attachment 3253942

Great point!
This made me think about accessibility to the winch spool lock and depending upon where the winch controller plugs into, unless it's wireless.
I've seen some bumpers where you need some long fingers or small hands to reach the spool lock and/or controller plug.

 

[LFDOffRoad]

The problem with hidden winches is lack of visibility of the winch line/drum and access to unfoul the rope if it gets tangled. I'm a bit surprised LFD is making this bumper as Jay knows better.

I realize this is a full bumper, but as you can see good visibility and access to the winch line and drum. View attachment 3253942

@Washingtontaco you're not wrong, but sometimes you got to give the market what they're asking for also. Lot of people just want to have a winch for just in case; thats where the hidden is nice. I always ask people how often they plan on using their winch, and talk about the pros/cons of the hidden.

With the honeycomb grille on the 14+ you actually still can see the winch line though, and the cut on the 10-13 gives line visibility also. I don't have a photo of it of an angle where you see the line, but you can see the winch through the honeycomb in the attached photo. Is it the best access? No. We did recently buy that 2015 and are working on the small front bumper for the 14+ 460s that will provide better winch access, and may follow up on that with a full bumper, specifically because you asked

For the purpose for the thread, I don't know if anyone's put a recovery point version on a 10-13 yet, I know we have not personally. Our '11 is running a prototype full at the moment, and we don't have any more un-cut bumper covers laying around. I dont know of any reason it wouldn't work though.

To the other points about clearance, etc, its just a matter of what's most important for you. The reality is most people are not off roading hard enough or often enough to need a full front bumper, especially on a vehicle that's also being daily driven.

I'm off road probably more than 99% of people, and still run the smaller front bumpers on my vehicles. Yes, every once in a while I touch the bumper corner on something, but to me that's not a big deal. I prefer the look of the smaller fronts as well as the lighter weight. Even as much as I'm off road, the vast majority of my driving is still on pavement. You can see I have a rub mark on the front corner of my LX. It doesn't bother me, I'll still take the lighter weight of the small front tradeoff.

 

[BigSwede]

If you're in a pinch you can open the hood and take the shroud off between the radiator and grill, and there is a some room to reach down there to the winch.

 

[LFDOffRoad]

Yep, that's what you have to do with the hiddens. Its definitely not ideal for lots of winching but it works.

 

[Washingtontaco]

@Washingtontaco you're not wrong, but sometimes you got to give the market what they're asking for also. Lot of people just want to have a winch for just in case; thats where the hidden is nice. I always ask people how often they plan on using their winch, and talk about the pros/cons of the hidden.

With the honeycomb grille on the 14+ you actually still can see the winch line though, and the cut on the 10-13 gives line visibility also. I don't have a photo of it of an angle where you see the line, but you can see the winch through the honeycomb in the attached photo. Is it the best access? No. We did recently buy that 2015 and are working on the small front bumper for the 14+ 460s that will provide better winch access, and may follow up on that with a full bumper, specifically because you asked

For the purpose for the thread, I don't know if anyone's put a recovery point version on a 10-13 yet, I know we have not personally. Our '11 is running a prototype full at the moment, and we don't have any more un-cut bumper covers laying around. I dont know of any reason it wouldn't work though.

To the other points about clearance, etc, its just a matter of what's most important for you. The reality is most people are not off roading hard enough or often enough to need a full front bumper, especially on a vehicle that's also being daily driven.

I'm off road probably more than 99% of people, and still run the smaller front bumpers on my vehicles. Yes, every once in a while I touch the bumper corner on something, but to me that's not a big deal. I prefer the look of the smaller fronts as well as the lighter weight. Even as much as I'm off road, the vast majority of my driving is still on pavement. You can see I have a rub mark on the front corner of my LX. It doesn't bother me, I'll still take the lighter weight of the small front tradeoff.

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View attachment 3280239

You know I like your bumpers, its difficult for folks when you point out the lack of access or visibility to the drum in class. Our May class last year over half the attendees never had set the line. We spent an hour initially setting winch lines on bumpers that were horrible even with the hood popped up.