Please help the newbie’s lol

OleBlue85
Jan 13, 2026

Rank 0

Tue at 8:05 pm

I’m looking at getting a 12,000 lb badlands winch from harbor freight. Any suggestions on what mount to get for it? I have a 2025 badlands with Sasquatch package. Or if there is another suggestion, I would appreciate it. This is our first bronco, and first time off-roading. Help much appreciated.
the poacher, 615_Bronco

Rank 0

Tue at 8:27 pm

#1
IMG_0247.jpegIMG_0243.jpegIMG_0241.jpegIMG_0242.jpeg
Deano Bronc, the poacher

Rank 0

Tue at 8:28 pm

#2
Here’s a few photos if that helps.

Rank IV

Wed at 1:47 am

#3
I can't help you with the winch question, but your dirty bronco looks fun
Deano Bronc, OleBlue85
Moderator

Life is a Highway

Wed at 3:31 am

#4
Having the modular bumper is a great start. If you utilize the magnifying glass option at the top of the task bar, you can search various combinations related to winch and or winch mounts. There are a ton of great posts and threads to reference.
Deano Bronc, OleBlue85

Gladesmen

Wed at 4:15 am

#5
This one looks interesting.if I didn’t have the factory winch I would have gone this route. https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/ford-bronco-removable-winch-mount
BN 1100, Desert Sand Everglades. Reservation 7/30/20. ordered 1/22/21, reordered 10/15/21 dropped tow and hard top, reordered 3/9/22 changed to Everglades. production date 9/7/22 rescheduled 9/14/22 completed 9/26/22, shipped 10/7/22, arrived 10/31/22, delivered 11/03/22
Deano Bronc, OleBlue85

Rank IV

Wed at 12:53 pm

#6
I’m looking at getting a 12,000 lb badlands winch from harbor freight. Any suggestions on what mount to get for it? I have a 2025 badlands with Sasquatch package. Or if there is another suggestion, I would appreciate it. This is our first bronco, and first time off-roading. Help much appreciated.

That Winch will have to be a bumper mount. No matter which mount you go with make sure to reinforce the frame horns. ALL modern vehicles have a "crush" zone... A dimpled area on the frame horns that is weaker on purpose. Mounting a winch in front of these is fine as long as you reinforce the frame at those designed weak points. Straight pulls most likely will not affect this area but pulling at an angle can bend the frame horns.
EZAPAR, Deano Bronc

Rank 0

Wed at 2:03 pm

#7
I can't help you with the winch question, but your dirty bronco looks fun

Thanks

Rank 0

Wed at 2:05 pm

#8
Thank you everyone! I really appreciate it
TK1215, Jakob1972

Rank 0

Wed at 4:31 pm

#9
I went with the JCR mount for my 10K Borne winch: https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/BR6SB-WP.html. I also installed their front camera relocation kit, as well as the Baja bolt on hoop, which I like because it isn't so high that it blocks the Bronco grille letters. As already pointed out, you absolutely should do the frame horn reinforcements. You never know when you will need to pull at an angle to the frame. I installed these from ADD: https://offroadalliance.com/Addicti...xEM8oNs-kbLNzBu8Q16yms0Ltlu4H6phoCqwEQAvD_BwE

To use the added bolts in the kit, you will need to drill one more hole in each side of the frame. Some folks don't bother, they just use the two holes in each side that already line up with the bracket holes. I preferred the belt and suspenders installation.
TK1215, JoergH

Rank 0

Wed at 4:38 pm

#10
Oh yeah, one more thing - you MAY have to re-adjust or relocate your ACC sensor to behind the grille with this type of front bumper plate style winch mount. Some installations interfere with it, others say they have no problem, They do stick out in front of the bumper about 10-12". I did have a problem with the ACC, so when I replaced my grille I relocated it.
JoergH, Deano Bronc

Rank 0

Wed at 4:50 pm

#11
Sorry about that, I clicked on wrong link. I installed these: https://lodoffroad.com/products/2021-bronco-lod-front-bumper-frame-tie-in-brackets/BFT2101
Unicorn

Rank 0

Wed at 5:27 pm

#12
Sorry about that, I clicked on wrong link. I installed these: https://lodoffroad.com/products/2021-bronco-lod-front-bumper-frame-tie-in-brackets/BFT2101

Thank you very much. I appreciate you.
othoap, Unicorn

Rank 42

Thu at 9:26 pm

#13
I have the Turn Offroad front winch mount. It was easy to install. The hardest part was installing the camera relocation kit and the ACC relocation kit. THOSE require a fair amount of disassembly. With my auto mechanic brother, it took us a whole morning to get them all installed.

The problem with this location is what it does to your approach angles. There are loads of places where you come down steeply, and probably, you will hit the winch mount. Fins and Things in Moab is a good example. I have done it only without the winch mount, and I am "concerned" about trying it again with the winch mount.

A removable option seems good, but the front mounted ones seem like little benefit. I almost went with the rear hitch mounted removable winch mounts, but a rear pull seemed mildly less useful.
Unicorn, Jakob1972

Gladesmen

Thu at 9:54 pm

#14
I have the Turn Offroad front winch mount. It was easy to install. The hardest part was installing the camera relocation kit and the ACC relocation kit. THOSE require a fair amount of disassembly. With my auto mechanic brother, it took us a whole morning to get them all installed.

The problem with this location is what it does to your approach angles. There are loads of places where you come down steeply, and probably, you will hit the winch mount. Fins and Things in Moab is a good example. I have done it only without the winch mount, and I am "concerned" about trying it again with the winch mount.

A removable option seems good, but the front mounted ones seem like little benefit. I almost went with the rear hitch mounted removable winch mounts, but a rear pull seemed mildly less useful.

Yes I can tell you that winch sticking way out there can get abused by the rocks. That is why I suggested the removable winch bracket, you could take it off for an obstacle then reattach it after. Now you would have to shlep that bracket and the wench over the obstacles but it could be done. I don’t remember scraping on fins n things but I have found several other trails to scrape it on. After your first scraped you don’t really notice the others. LOL


This was after Sagasour Black in Merus.
BN 1100, Desert Sand Everglades. Reservation 7/30/20. ordered 1/22/21, reordered 10/15/21 dropped tow and hard top, reordered 3/9/22 changed to Everglades. production date 9/7/22 rescheduled 9/14/22 completed 9/26/22, shipped 10/7/22, arrived 10/31/22, delivered 11/03/22
TK1215

Rank 42

Thu at 9:57 pm

#15
Yes I can tell you that winch sticking way out there can get abused by the rocks. That is why I suggested the removable winch bracket, you could take it off for an obstacle then reattach it after. Now you would have to shlep that bracket and the wench over the obstacles but it could be done. I don’t remember scraping on fins n things but I have found several other trails to scrape it on. After your first scraped you don’t really notice the others. LOL


This was after Sagasour Black in Merus.

So you have done Fins with that winch mount? THAT is great intel. Thanks!
TK1215, Jakob1972

Rank IV

Thu at 10:01 pm

#16
Well there is always this option.... but you are limited to a short drum (which I happen to prefer because you get to the first layer pull, and therefore most pulling power faster) AND it does require a high mount intercooler...PXL_20250706_002345497.jpg
dirty with winch.jpg
Jakob1972

Rank 42

Thu at 10:18 pm

#17
Well there is always this option.... but you are limited to a short drum (which I happen to prefer because you get to the first layer pull, and therefore most pulling power faster) AND it does require a high mount intercooler...PXL_20250706_002345497.jpg
dirty with winch.jpg
That does look great, and does not affect the performance on the trail... But on another thread, someone noted that you can't turn the clutch to free spin, so you have to use the motor to play out the cable.

Edited to add: That is one pretty build! GREAT job!!!
othoap, Jakob1972

Rank IV

Thu at 10:20 pm

#18
That does look great, and does not affect the performance on the trail... But on another thread, someone noted that you can't turn the clutch to free spin, so you have to use the motor to play out the cable.

Nope... wrong... I can reach the clutch lever just fine. The winch is mounted inverted placing the lever directly reachable through the passenger wheel well... I have photos of that at home I can post a little later.

Edit: oh and thank you...
Jakob1972, SocalBonanza

Gladesmen

Thu at 10:30 pm

#19
Well there is always this option.... but you are limited to a short drum (which I happen to prefer because you get to the first layer pull, and therefore most pulling power faster) AND it does require a high mount intercooler...PXL_20250706_002345497.jpg
dirty with winch.jpg

Look how much bigger the Bronco looks with a hidden winch. 😂



That is a nice build.
BN 1100, Desert Sand Everglades. Reservation 7/30/20. ordered 1/22/21, reordered 10/15/21 dropped tow and hard top, reordered 3/9/22 changed to Everglades. production date 9/7/22 rescheduled 9/14/22 completed 9/26/22, shipped 10/7/22, arrived 10/31/22, delivered 11/03/22
OleBlue85, othoap

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