Opinions and install info - Harbor Freight 12k Winch w/ 98-02 ARB Bumper 3413050

[Mike NXP]

I'm going to be doing this soon, ARB 3413190 (03-07) is shipped and I snagged the Badlands Apex 12k synthetic on Black Friday for $485.

Since I have an LX, I'm assuming I'll need to relocate the control box somewhere under the hood, since the grille opens with the hood and I will already need to cut the antenna mounts off the ARB just to get the hood to open. Any suggestions on something to use as a smaller control box?

Will likely be heading over to a friend's place to do the entire winch + bumper install in a day so I'd like to prep what I can beforehand. Seems like I still need the following items:

• Longer bolts to mount the fairlead through the hole to the winch
• Smaller housing for the control box
• Cutoff switch and battery terminals

Your bumper is different than the style I mounted mine too in this thread. I'm not positive, but I believe you have a different like subframe / way of mounting your winch.

It's been a while since I've though about this but if I'm not mistaken yours mounts feet forward so everything in this thread won't apply since mine was mounted feet down on the subframe platform

- Not sure about longer bolts
- Shouldn't need a smaller control box, I believe you could mount it on top of the bumper like I have done, but then again I don't know if the newer style has different dimensions as well
- Cut off switch comes with the 12K Badlands switch
- I went with the Slee battery terminals. Expensive but great for future expansion of more power and a nice clean look . It required some crimping of wires

 

[Pulgasari]

- Not sure about longer bolts
- Shouldn't need a smaller control box, I believe you could mount it on top of the bumper like I have done, but then again I don't know if the newer style has different dimensions as well
- Cut off switch comes with the 12K Badlands switch
- I went with the Slee battery terminals. Expensive but great for future expansion of more power and a nice clean look . It required some crimping of wires

Thanks for the info, I was going off the video, which uses the 03-07 bumper. I think I'm going to go with the Moroso terminals and still get a cutoff switch just for added peace of mind.

Looks like this video has some good stuff, will need to watch when I'm not at work.

FYI for others considering the install:

Even if I'm able to mount the control box on the bumper (which I would prefer), I'm worried that I won't be able to clear the grille since I have an LX. Anyone with a similar setup on an LX able to chime in?

 

[Mike NXP]

Thanks for the info, I was going off the video, which uses the 03-07 bumper. I think I'm going to go with the Moroso terminals and still get a cutoff switch just for added peace of mind.


Even if I'm able to mount the control box on the bumper (which I would prefer), I'm worried that I won't be able to clear the grille since I have an LX. Anyone with a similar setup on an LX able to chime in?

Ah yeah, the control box is big.

I'm not sure what to expect on the LX... Do some forum / Google searching for the later model ARB bumpers, which again I am pretty sure are the 'feet forward' style mount. I'm sure someone has done it.

 

[Trapper50cal]

The 03-07 is definitely "feet forward" not "feet down" - That's what I have on my '99 ('98-'02) - I'll be relocating my control box under the hood behind the back of the pass. side headlight and running the wires, through kill switch, to the battery on the front driver-side.

 

[Mike NXP]

The 03-07 is definitely "feet forward" not "feet down" - That's what I have on my '99 ('98-'02) - I'll be relocating my control box under the hood behind the back of the pass. side headlight and running the wires, through kill switch, to the battery on the front driver-side.

Another reason I like the 02 models better than newer versions. I like the idea of the ARB bumper allowing the winch to sit lower and further back, on a solid mount. Compared to up high and through those forward mounted feet holes

I may be a bit biased, but 2002 model year for the win.. 4 speed and non-vvti are great features, less s*** to break.