Putting Winch on Freedom (Sport S) with steel bumper sag?

[Redfour5]

I've looked at the other threads and I guess they are not getting at what I'm interested in.

The Freedom comes with the steel Rubicon bumpers "winch ready." I have the plate and am looking to get the winch and install over the winter.

This basically has a Sport S suspension so am I going to notice it lowering in front? Will there be an impact on the ride?

AND, if it does, or I Want to address it pre-emptively, it would seem that getting the diesel engine springs might be the easiest cheapest? solution. Am I wrong?

I don't want to do a lift, nothing extra, just simple and easy and the least expensive without altering the basics of the ride. The only times I've ever needed a winch is in Yellowstone in the winter when tourists come in rent a 2WD vehicle and go off the road. That has been with my 2500 Ram Hemi. It is too much of a beast size wise for four wheeling I've discovered but tows a travel trailer like a dream. So, this is one reason I got the Gladiator.

The four wheeling club I want to go with in the spring requires at least straps etc. but recommends a winch but I am NOT doing hard core four wheeling. Mostly stuff like the linked trail below. The Gladiator is mostly my daily driver transfer station vehicle.

But if someone has done it and did nothing at all relative to the suspension, how did that work? I'll do that too.
https://www.montanaoverland4x4adventures.org/tizerbasinlooptrail.html

Sponsored

 

[articcatbill]

I'm getting mine for Christmas, putting it on my Rubicon. Honestly not thinking it's going to make a huge difference. Sure it's some extra weight, but I sat on my front bumper one day, it hardly moved, so figuring it 200lbs doesn't move it much the winch won't make a big difference.

If you're worried about weight the synthetic ropes are more expensive but lighter.

 

[GWolgamott]

I swapped bumps added about 40ish pounds to front end. Had plastic bumper and ended up with a lighter weight steel bumper with a heavy weight winch plate. On road it was fine offroad it would dive such as on something like sand dunes or offroad with lots of dips, something like if you were disconnected I mean. To fix it and before wanted to add a winch I put 3 inch lift on. Drives ton better, not that I noticed it driving bad but was surprised how much better it felt after on and off road. So will you need it? Hard to tell until you see what it does, but you will not regret it if do add a level or a lift. My profile pic is actually before the lift, so even though it added a slight rake it wasn't that bad. But I didn't like it's behavior offroad plus since I was added a winch in near future I decided it was needed.

Edit: Although since I don't plan on adding larger tires the 33s give me chicken legs type of look now. But that's ok with me...function over being pretty I guess.

 

[ross neill]

I installed steel bump and winch I hated the sag add a 1 1/2 inch spacer lift from Amazon 60 dollars it comes with 1 inch puck and a 1/2 inch puck. I jacked front of jeep up 1 1/2 inch liked the look and ordered lift when your winch arrives stack it on bumper with plate let it sit overnight measure before and after to see how much sag you get lighter winch less sag I didn’t notice any difference in ride

 

[Undecided]

This isn't a 100% match to your request but should help answer your question.
I went from Sport S (max tow cause springs are different) stock plastic (~36lbs) to full width steel (~120lbs) + Apex Badlands 12k Synthetic (~60lbs).

This is on a 285/70/17 with no lift, so slightly taller than stock sport tire.

At time of install, this is my "scientific" measurement for sag.

I've lost the picture from immediately after, but it was down only about 1/2in.

This is today, ~1.5yrs after so plenty of "settling" time:

Essentially, about a 3/4in drop
So if you are just adding a winch/plate I would not expect any kind of notable sag.

 

[Redfour5]

I'm getting mine for Christmas, putting it on my Rubicon. Honestly not thinking it's going to make a huge difference. Sure it's some extra weight, but I sat on my front bumper one day, it hardly moved, so figuring it 200lbs doesn't move it much the winch won't make a big difference.

If you're worried about weight the synthetic ropes are more expensive but lighter.

Oh definitely synthetic, learned that lesson...

 

[Redfour5]

This isn't a 100% match to your request but should help answer your question.
I went from Sport S (max tow cause springs are different) stock plastic (~36lbs) to full width steel (~120lbs) + Apex Badlands 12k Synthetic (~60lbs).

This is on a 285/70/17 with no lift, so slightly taller than stock sport tire.

At time of install, this is my "scientific" measurement for sag.

I've lost the picture from immediately after, but it was down only about 1/2in.

This is today, ~1.5yrs after so plenty of "settling" time:

Essentially, about a 3/4in drop
So if you are just adding a winch/plate I would not expect any kind of notable sag.

Thanks, I think this gets at what I wanted. Just wondering about the diesel springs. They are all about addressing the difference in weight between engines. Much appreciated on the measurements.

 

[KrashEd]

Thanks, I think this gets at what I wanted. Just wondering about the diesel springs. They are all about addressing the difference in weight between engines. Much appreciated on the measurements.

I used a cheap rough country 3/4 inch spacer to compensate for the winch and it took out the weight-induced rake; ride was fine. For me, it’s almost part of installing a winch anymore, I've done it a few times. I did install diesel springs later because I added a few more pounds to the front of the Jeep and was chasing the right springs for towing - the ride is definitely firmer with those.

 

[Redfour5]

I used a cheap rough country 3/4 inch spacer to compensate for the winch and it took out the weight-induced rake; ride was fine. For me, it’s almost part of installing a winch anymore, I've done it a few times. I did install diesel springs later because I added a few more pounds to the front of the Jeep and was chasing the right springs for towing - the ride is definitely firmer with those.

Thanks for the info on the Diesel Springs... Firmer ride, you'd do it though again?

 

[Gvsukids]

Thanks, I think this gets at what I wanted. Just wondering about the diesel springs. They are all about addressing the difference in weight between engines. Much appreciated on the measurements.

I added diesel Springs to the front of my max tow after adding a Warn Evo 12s winch and Mopar front bumper with a 1.5 spacer lift. The ride was too firm. It seemed to throw me when I was taking bumps. I then added Rubicon springs up front, which are too soft and bottom out over bumps. I have now ordered Synergy dual rate springs.
For me, 1.5-2 inch lift removes the rake on stock Sport springs with the winch and bumper. I also drive fast on the dunes and off-road, so I might see more spring settling.

 

[KrashEd]

Thanks for the info on the Diesel Springs... Firmer ride, you'd do it though again?

For my setup, yes, but I have the skids, steering cooler, lights, and supercharger in addition to my winch and plate. If I didn't have those things I wouldn't do it, the 3/4 spacer compensates for the winch - it's what I ran before adding all the other stuff. I also can dial in the ride a little better with the fox 2.5s. That's my experience, hope it helps.

 

[Redfour5]

For my setup, yes, but I have the skids, steering cooler, lights, and supercharger in addition to my winch and plate. If I didn't have those things I wouldn't do it, the 3/4 spacer compensates for the winch - it's what I ran before adding all the other stuff. I also can dial in the ride a little better with the fox 2.5s. That's my experience, hope it helps.

Thank you. That's how I will approach it AND save a bunch it looks like.

 

[Josh00333]

Yes you'll sag. Not a huge amount but it will settle in. Get a spacer kit or Diesel springs. You could probably order the Mopar lift front springs also.

 

[Redfour5]

I added diesel Springs to the front of my max tow after adding a Warn Evo 12s winch and Mopar front bumper with a 1.5 spacer lift. The ride was too firm. It seemed to throw me when I was taking bumps. I then added Rubicon springs up front, which are too soft and bottom out over bumps. I have now ordered Synergy dual rate springs.
For me, 1.5-2 inch lift removes the rake on stock Sport springs with the winch and bumper. I also drive fast on the dunes and off-road, so I might see more spring settling.

I'll wait for your report on the Synergy along with the cost. Sounds like you are getting your money's worth out of your Gladiator.

 

[Gvsukids]

I'll wait for your report on the Synergy along with the cost. Sounds like you are getting your money's worth out of your Gladiator.

The springs were under 300 with forum savings from @Northridge4x4. The other springs were close to free.
I've got 92k on the Jeep, so we've been getting our money's worth.

Sponsored