Trail Tailor LX470 Hidden Winch Mount

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Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Threads
6
Messages
100
Location
Nashville, TN
I wanted to mount a winch on the front of my 1998 LX470 but I didn’t want to go the full bumper route. I spent some time looking at different behind the stock bumper mounts and decided to go with Trail Tailor’s hidden winch mount. I chose Jason’s design because of his great reputation for quality products, simplicity of the design and cost.

When I first looked at Jason’s design I noticed it would not fit the LX as designed. The LX comes with a larger A/C condenser to accommodate the increased capacity for the rear A/C. Notice the A/C line running below the front cross member. This required changes to the right and left mounting areas of Jason’s original design. After emailing Jason he agreed to modify his design if I would send him a template.


After receiving my template Jason quickly converted it into a cad drawing and then a prototype. In short order I had the redesigned hidden winch mount at my door. I elected to have mine shipped in bare metal.


Being a prototype, I expected to have to make some small tweaks to the mount to get it to fit correctly, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it fit perfectly with no adjustments needed to the mount.


The install process does require the front bumper reinforcement to be cut on the right and left just inside where it mounts to the frame. This is the only modification I had to make to the truck. The mounting bracket that attaches to the bottom of the bumper reinforcement does not need to be cut and reinstalls with no modification required.


As part of my order I also purchased Jason’s tow points. This required me to procure new mounting bolts to replace those used for the factory mounts. Technically I was able to get the winch mount and tow points secured using the stock bolts but I didn’t like that the bolt didn’t go all the way thru the captured nut. These bolts are not something that can be purchased at the local hardware store. I found the correct size and length, M14-1.50x55mm, at a fastener warehouse in Nashville, Capital City Bolt & Screw.

Jason doesn’t guarantee his mount to work with any winch except for the brand he sells because he hadn’t test fit any others. However, he did provide dimensions that I was able to compare with my Warn winch which made me comfortable there would be no installation issues. If you have a Warn XD9000 it will fit with room to spare. I moved the solenoid to be above the winch motor and secured it to the motor using worm clamps. In this position I’m able to attach the control cable from under the hood and if I need to I can route the control cable thru the Lexus emblem so I can close the hood without fear of cutting the cable.


The next step is cutting the bumper for the fairlead. After installing the winch mount and the right and left ends of the bumper reinforcement I put the bumper back on without the winch being installed. This gave me access to the back of the bumper so I could trace the fairlead mount on the winch plate to the back of the bumper. Then I removed the bumper, placed my fairlead on the back side and lined up the traced bolt holes with those of the fairlead, I traced the outside of the fairlead on the back side of the bumper and then I cut the hole using my jigsaw. I still have to spool my rope on the winch.

 
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Very nice write up. I’m still on the fence about going w/ a mount like this or a full bumper. I kinda lean towards a full bumper just for clearance and basic badassery. Also, because my wife will hate it and won’t want to drive it. Hahaha
 
Love this, in my dream world this would have been a factory option.
 
Thanks for the write up. I think this is the route I will be going.(Hopefully later this year.) Its primarily my wife's truck. She is not a fan of any of the available after market bumpers. I cant say I blame her. They all "feature" increased approach angle at the expense of overall looks of the truck. Also why increase approach angle when stock approach angle exceeds what the break over point is? Not saying the aftermarket bumpers don't look good for what they are and I would like a beefier bumper to be able to run things over. :grinpimp: Wish somebody would make one that more mimics the looks of a stock bumper. The truck is so nice looking as is.
 
Thank you so much for this detailed write up. I don't have $1500 to drop on a bumper so this hidden winch mount is pretty much my only hope to get a winch with stock bumper
 
I'm a longtime lurker here, but just wanted to thank you for the great writeup - it's exactly what I've been looking to do. I placed my order with Jason last week...can't wait to install it!
 
I'm a longtime lurker here, but just wanted to thank you for the great writeup - it's exactly what I've been looking to do. I placed my order with Jason last week...can't wait to install it!

Please post before and after pictures. Im also in the market on my LX470.
 
Did the front sag at all after the install? What what you do to correct? I am waiting on the same mount to be delivered and I have a warn 28500 XD9000 that I am going to mount on it with synthetic rope to save on weight.
 
Did the front sag at all after the install? What what you do to correct? I am waiting on the same mount to be delivered and I have a warn 28500 XD9000 that I am going to mount on it with synthetic rope to save on weight.

I have not installed, but plan to in the future. I would assume it might sag a little. All you would need to do is crank the torsion bars.
 
Did the front sag at all after the install? What what you do to correct? I am waiting on the same mount to be delivered and I have a warn 28500 XD9000 that I am going to mount on it with synthetic rope to save on weight.

I did nothing after the install. I still have AHC and it did not move my pressures outside of the acceptable range according to the FSM. I'm using the standard wire rope from an XD9000i, it provides an extra 25 feet over the cable the XD9000 comes with (125ft vs. 100ft).

The mount weighs about 35 pounds and the winch is about 75 pounds with the standard cable so you'll save a couple pounds there. If you needed to you could adjust your front suspension if you saw a considerable drop.
 
Has anyone tried installing this kit on a later model LX470?

(sample picture of a "nightview"/later model bumper stolen from another thread):
1963243
 
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Has anyone tried installing this kit on a later model LX470?

(sample picture of a "nightview"/later model bumper stolen from another thread):
View attachment 1963243

In addition to my 98 I own an 05 without night view and this mount would fit the 05 without any issues. If you have nightview YMMV.
 
In addition to my 98 I own an 05 without night view and this mount would fit the 05 without any issues. If you have nightview YMMV.

Unfortunately I fall into the YMMV group.

I'm less concerned about if the mount will fit, and more concerned if there's enough "meat" on the later model OEM bumper for the fairlead. If I'm going to have to go down the replacement bumper path anyway, I hate to start out down the "hidden mount" rabbit hole.
 
The fairlead mounts onto the winch mount, not the bumper.

Understood, but I do have to "poke" a hole though the OEM bumper for the rope to pass through the fairlead, don't I?

If I'm going to create a situation where the OEM bumper is going to tear, I may as well go down the Dissent/Kavik/TJM route.
 
Unfortunately I fall into the YMMV group.

I'm less concerned about if the mount will fit, and more concerned if there's enough "meat" on the later model OEM bumper for the fairlead. If I'm going to have to go down the replacement bumper path anyway, I hate to start out down the "hidden mount" rabbit hole.

Agreed with the statement above ^^^ my concern would be how the nightview mounts. If it is only mounted in the bumper cover I'd think it would mount fine. If it attaches to the reenforcement behind the bumper check my pictures above and see if enough of the reenforcement remains to mount them.
 

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