Wench and bracket for a 2-door? Help

Bronco760

Mar 16, 2026

Any Winch recommendations for a two-door bronco? How big do I really actually need? Is There any good brackets to install the winch that don’t cover the bronco sign?12k seems like over kill but i was looking at this.

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Laura

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Yesterday at 2:39 pm

#40

robatl067
How do I get the recoil back to a smooth even roll?

EZAPAR
Youtube has a vid or two.
Basically. Pull out the line to the last coil, attach it to a car on a slight incline. Pull the car to you and guide the line around the barrel.

As stated above, you can use another vehicle or if out in the field, you can also use a tree (use a tree protector) a large rock / boulder or whatever as long as it's a secure anchor.

If you have a wireless remote, or of your wired remote cable is long enough, you can also use your strength and body weight to keep tension on the line when spooling it back on the drum.. This works better with 2 people but is doable with one person. If solo, you might need to back it out then back in a few times to get an even spool but it's doable..

Safety 1st! Always make sure the connection to the anchor and shackle(s) is solid, use tree protectors etc, wear gloves and use a winch damper..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member

EZAPAR

Yesterday at 4:08 pm

#41

Q1svt
You have a very nice setup… It’s been hinted that Ford might be looking at that approach. Someone attended an meeting online survey where they were looking at different changes and one was a winch setup ( he described, HB like)…

Re: your question on why… some states/ laws consider changing intercooler as ‘tampering w/ emissions’ Like Kalifornia

So we hope Ford does change their winch kit to a hidden style.

but the Ford winch kit can be gussied up ;^)

I forget about some of the rules in other states.

I guy recently moved here from Illinois. Has an Aerial Atom (one of my all time favorite cars. He says Illinois would not let him license it for the street so he used it as a track car. When he moved here, Idaho told him since it is a "car" and not a motorcycle he needed to put a 6 inch tall windscreen on it and he would be good to go. Needless to say his ecstatic response since I met him at a cars and coffee driving the Atom.

Not sure how the intake is going to effect emissions but those politicians obviously know way more about cars than I do... LOL...

Q1svt

Yesterday at 5:06 pm

#42

Unicorn
I forget about some of the rules in other states.

I guy recently moved here from Illinois. Has an Aerial Atom (one of my all time favorite

Not sure how the intake is going to effect emissions but those politicians obviously know way more about cars than I do... LOL...

… Leno’s is cool, more so with the new engine.

Kalifornia and states that follow those rules require OEM/aftermarket companies to ‘show’ there is not change … because they charge them many don’t get certificates.

Intercooler, down pipes etc are more about performance enhancements.. even if your rig passes tailpipe test you still need to pass visual inspection…

It sucks but it’s what it is

Unicorn

Yesterday at 6:09 pm

#43

JoergH
Yeah, I know that feeling ... or spend a ton of money having someone else do the work.

I ordered the DV8 horns. I'll probably go get an install estimate from a shop after they arrive. Then, based on their estimate, decide if I want to have them do it or have my son come help me do it...

If they quote me more than a couple of hundred smackaroos, then I'll be me doing it as I don't feel like dropping a ton of cashola on installing the horns..

I'm also not completely sold that they are needed as the best I can tell, there have only been a few failures (?)

But since I am solo most of the time it's probably better to be safe rather than sorry..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member

Yesterday at 9:40 pm

#44

raqball
I ordered the DV8 horns. I'll probably go get an install estimate from a shop after they arrive. Then, based on their estimate, decide if I want to have them do it or have my son come help me do it...

If they quote me more than a couple of hundred smackaroos, then I'll be me doing it as I don't feel like dropping a ton of cashola on installing the horns..

I'm also not completely sold that they are needed as the best I can tell, there have only been a few failures (?)

But since I am solo most of the time it's probably better to be safe rather than sorry..

Do you know why they are needed? The front frame horns are part of what is the "crumple zone". There is a dimpled area about 6 inches or so back from the bumper mount on the frame that is DESIGNED to bend in a crash. Without the frame stiffeners the winch will pull fine in a straight line, but the minute you start pulling a bit off line (to the side a bit) the frame horns can and will bend in that direction. Yes I have seen bumpers pulled off a vehicle but that is not the issue with these.... (that is a bumper mounting issue). These are to "stiffen" the frame so it does not bend when pulling a little or even more off line..... It also means it will not absorb crash impact energy as designed. Just a heads up on that.... Not sure what insurance would say if you were in a head on....

Yesterday at 9:45 pm

#45

raqball
I ordered the DV8 horns. I'll probably go get an install estimate from a shop after they arrive. Then, based on their estimate, decide if I want to have them do it or have my son come help me do it...

If they quote me more than a couple of hundred smackaroos, then I'll be me doing it as I don't feel like dropping a ton of cashola on installing the horns..

I'm also not completely sold that they are needed as the best I can tell, there have only been a few failures (?)

But since I am solo most of the time it's probably better to be safe rather than sorry..

Also it is not really a difficult install... I am not even sure you HAVE to pull the bumper but it sure would make it easier.

I am literally a little old man and I did it all myself. No I did not add the frame stiffeners but I did install a high mount intercooler and then mount the winch in one weekend. I worked slowly often stopping for a sip of beer.

raqball, JoergH

Yesterday at 10:44 pm

#46

Unicorn
Also it is not really a difficult install... I am not even sure you HAVE to pull the bumper but it sure would make it easier.

I am literally a little old man and I did it all myself. No I did not add the frame stiffeners but I did install a high mount intercooler and then mount the winch in one weekend. I worked slowly often stopping for a sip of beer.

Love the carpet!

OnX Expert Trail Guide and Tread Lightly Member.
4 Door BadSquatch | Soft-top | Velocity Blue | 2.7 Auto

Unicorn

Yesterday at 10:52 pm

#47

Unicorn
Do you know why they are needed?

Yes I know why they are 'needed' but I've not read about widespread failure because they were not used.. Maybe there has been widespread failure and I've just not seen the posts, videos, etc..

Thanks for the detailed explanation though, good stuff! 👍

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member

Unicorn

Yesterday at 11:24 pm

#48

JoergH
Love the carpet!

Rather than throwing it out... It just makes life on my knees a little bit easier.

Q1svt

Yesterday at 11:29 pm

#49

raqball
Yes I know why they are 'needed' but I've not read about widespread failure because they were not used.. Maybe there has been widespread failure and I've just not seen the posts, videos, etc..

Thanks for the detailed explanation though, good stuff! 👍

I can not say I have read about wide spread failure either. I have read about a number (a few) of examples though. I have even seen one where the guy was not sure why his bumper sat about a little less than an inch to the driver side. I think a lot of people may only occasionally make a direct line pull with it though if they use it at all.

Q1svt

Today at 12:39 am

#50

Unicorn
Without the frame stiffeners the winch will pull fine in a straight line, but the minute you start pulling a bit off line (to the side a bit) the frame horns can and will bend in that direction. Yes I have seen bumpers pulled off a vehicle but that is not the issue with these.... (that is a bumper mounting issue). These are to "stiffen" the frame so it does not bend when pulling a little or even more off line..... It also means it will not absorb crash impact energy as designed.

... Unicorn, I understand what you are trying to say... but it's off a little... imho

1) the crush area is not affected since the added material is in front of it. Like an accordion it's designed to collapse. YES if the design load is exceeded 'crush' they will bend in the direction of the force

2) anything attached to the frame horn can/will act as a force multiplier... as shown in my post # 29; simply lifting the vehicle weight 2,500-3,000# upwards by the tow hooks damaged the components, since the hooks were about 10-11" forward of frame end brackets.

THE Reinforcements are to help spread the load over a greater area than just the end flange .... and for greater angles [depending on design]

Your winch is in a good place being at/very near centerline of the frame rails. The line feeds from the top of the spool too

All winches, placed above/below and or forward are a force multiplier and that force is increased the more they are outward /up/down.

I have installed the M-1820-B Ford winch kit. The reinforcements are extensive... and my winch line is just a couple of inches off centerline ... est about 4" so pulling with winch is not an issue but I have not see any information on what the tow hooks are rated for/at either the fronts or rears without or with the reinforcements...

Today at 1:24 am

#51

Q1svt
... Unicorn, I understand what you are trying to say... but it's off a little... imho

1) the crush area is not affected since the added material is in front of it. Like an accordion it's designed to collapse. YES if the design load is exceeded 'crush' they will bend in the direction of the force

2) anything attached to the frame horn can/will act as a force multiplier... as shown in my post # 29; simply lifting the vehicle weight 2,500-3,000# upwards by the tow hooks damaged the components, since the hooks were about 10-11" forward of frame end brackets.

THE Reinforcements are to help spread the load over a greater area than just the end flange .... and for greater angles [depending on design]

Your winch is in a good place being at/very near centerline of the frame rails. The line feeds from the top of the spool too

All winches, placed above/below and or forward are a force multiplier and that force is increased the more they are outward /up/down.

I have installed the M-1820-B Ford winch kit. The reinforcements are extensive... and my winch line is just a couple of inches off centerline ... est about 4" so pulling with winch is not an issue but I have not see any information on what the tow hooks are rated for/at either the fronts or rears without or with the reinforcements...

Oh I agree there is a huge force multiplier on anything extending beyond the frame dimples. But you have seen the frame dimples right? It is a designed weak point. AND you are right adding a longer lever arm just makes it easier to bend. Spreading that force out over a larger area absolutely helps.... but you want to do that behind the dimples or it will not help at all. I absolutely believe in the stiffeners. You also make a very good point about the tow hooks. I think we are talking the same language here.

Today at 2:30 am

#52

Unicorn
Oh I agree there is a huge force multiplier on anything extending beyond the frame dimples. But you have seen the frame dimples right? It is a designed weak point. AND you are right adding a longer lever arm just makes it easier to bend. Spreading that force out over a larger area absolutely helps.... but you want to do that behind the dimples or it will not help at all. I absolutely believe in the stiffeners. You also make a very good point about the tow hooks. I think we are talking the same language here.

I agree same language.

Frame dimples yes, BN has a good view as part of a Hoss write up https://thebronconation.com/broncos-boss-hoss-system-4-levels-of-performance/

But for most/all going into/past dimples is out of question… but people like Lobo does https://lobooffroad.com/product/crash-bar-erase-brace-kit-bronco/

But I don’t need that… I looked at Ford and for an OEM to offer a winch factory option they had to meet very high standards (far more than aftermarket). They engineered a complete system, crash tested, and airbag settings for a 10,000 # winch. That’s more than enough for me and the OP is correct a 12,000# is overkill.

what I can see you’re building a heck of a rig and may need to address the dimples. ;^)

I would have done your hidden winch… but to old to deal w/CA bi-yearly inspections

PS, keep the carpet .. I have a small one too . Still young enough to crawl under and work, to old to be cold from concrete lol

Unicorn

Today at 3:16 am

#53

Q1svt
I agree same language.

Frame dimples yes, BN has a good view as part of a Hoss write up https://thebronconation.com/broncos-boss-hoss-system-4-levels-of-performance/

But for most/all going into/past dimples is out of question… but people like Lobo does https://lobooffroad.com/product/crash-bar-erase-brace-kit-bronco/

But I don’t need that… I looked at Ford and for an OEM to offer a winch factory option they had to meet very high standards (far more than aftermarket). They engineered a complete system, crash tested, and airbag settings for a 10,000 # winch. That’s more than enough for me and the OP is correct a 12,000# is overkill.

what I can see you’re building a heck of a rig and may need to address the dimples. ;^)

I would have done your hidden winch… but to old to deal w/CA bi-yearly inspections

PS, keep the carpet .. I have a small one too . Still young enough to crawl under and work, to old to be cold from concrete lol

I think the Ford/warn option was a hell of a good buy and well designed..... I am not so sure 12000# winch is exactly overkill. My 10K is fine but remember if you are only on the 2nd layer with a 12k you really are pulling with only about 9k... third layer is right around 7K and forth layer about 5K.... (really rough guesstaments off the top of my head). Typical sizing suggests 2 times your weight... so 10K seems perfect to me. That short drum only gives me 50 foot of line but I am on the first layer pretty quick. If I have to pull further than that I have to pull it again. I do carry 150 foot of extensions though. It is also not as easily accessible as a front mount bumper winch. I can "see it alright through the fairlead mostly because Hammer Built did one more thing I had not thought of... they added a little LED light so you can see it. Pros and cons. Nothing is perfect.

I looked hard at the LOBO... really like it. I just wanted to get the winch up a little higher. I was actually designing my own when the Hammer Built came out. I was talking to a guy about his design that I really liked (very similar to this one) when Hammer built got on the same thread to say they were about to release this one. I have to admit I had not thought of inverting the winch... Really smart idea (for this location)... so I ended up with one of the first batch of 10. Seems like I keep getting one of the first batch of 10 with just about everything.... And why the hell are the first batches always 10?

And oh hell yea I am keeping the rug. It ain't pretty but it is soft(er).... I will replace it when I buy new ones for the house.

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