Installed New Harbor Freight Badland Bumper Winch

rmlouden

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I definitely like the look of the Rugged Ridge Arcus bumper but the build quality definitely seems sub par. I had to drill out mounting holes that were missing from the fog light brackets, the powder coating seems to be too thin, and one of the welded nuts on the mounting bracket broke loose. None of it's a big deal but they could try harder.
On the other hand I'm fairly impressed with the harbor freight Bandland winch.

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rmlouden

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Another pic

 

Summitsearcher

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Did you go through the side of the control box or use spacers between bumper and frame?

 

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rmlouden

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I notched the back of the housing so the wire comes out the bottom. I used silicone to seal it up. It still presses right up against the grill though.

 

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rmlouden

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I'd like to relocate the control box under the hood but I'm not sure if there's a good spot.

 

Summitsearcher

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Apr 3, 2023

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This is how I did mine to avoid hitting the grill. Plus I added spacers to the bumper to solve the issue.

 

AstroZombie

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Great post! i have had my eye on these for a while.

 

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If you end up finding a location under the hood I'd like to see where you put it. I also have been considering moving mine to under the hood. I came through grill with mine. I have the RR spartan high clearance bumper and I love it. Didn't have any issues with having to drill out holes and after 3 yrs it's still in great shape paint wise. As good as any of the higher ends ones I've seen on other jeeps.

Your setup looks great!

 

Alan_Hepburn

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I haven't installed a winch yet, but I also went with the RR Spartan, standard clearance - it installed with no issues, and still looks good 2 years later.

 

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Summitsearcher said:

This is how I did mine to avoid hitting the grill. Plus I added spacers to the bumper to solve the issue.

Click to expand...

Bumper spacers only help if the winch plate/mount is part of the bumper.
Otherwise the spacers prevent the bumper from hitting the winch.
I noticed my bulldog winch plate gives just a bit more clearance for things than my prior mount did.
Oddly, I didn't have a real issue with the Apex winch cable, but did opt to relocate it out the end this time. I wanted to be able to more easily remove the grill if I wanted to........ glad I did because I had to remove it to get the plow harness in place.

 

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Apr 7, 2023

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I have a Harbor Freight Badland d 12000 LB winch. It is a good winch for the money.

 

Summitsearcher

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Apr 7, 2023

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ShadowsPapa said:

Bumper spacers only help if the winch plate/mount is part of the bumper.
Otherwise the spacers prevent the bumper from hitting the winch.
I noticed my bulldog winch plate gives just a bit more clearance for things than my prior mount did.
Oddly, I didn't have a real issue with the Apex winch cable, but did opt to relocate it out the end this time. I wanted to be able to more easily remove the grill if I wanted to........ glad I did because I had to remove it to get the plow harness in place.

Click to expand...

You’re right, my mounting plate is integrated into the bumper itself so spacer’s did move it out. Bonus!

 

ShadowsPapa

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Summitsearcher said:

You’re right, my mounting plate is integrated into the bumper itself so spacer’s did move it out. Bonus!

Click to expand...

Yup - that's a great use for those spacers. Bumpers just like that.
otherwise with a plate, especially one that mounts with part of it behind the frame "ears", spacers can only move the bumper away from the winch. BUT - in a case like mine, I wish I would have had the spacers the first time. I wouldn't have needed to trim the bumper to clear the winch better.

 

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Apr 7, 2023

• #14

I did not have any issues with my Arcus and Badlands. I ran the positive out the side, and the winch touches the grill, I just put a bit of ppf there.

Got 2 recoveries with it on my first time out! Lmao !

Winched them right out, no probs. Second vehicle is a JTR, lmao

 

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Apr 9, 2023

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Relocated the entire control box....sorta. I removed it all from the control box and used a inverter cable kit to extend it to a spot next to the battery. Right I have it just kinda sitting in that space. It works just fine but I want to fabricate a bracket for the kill switch, remote switch, and wired socket. I wrapped the solenoid box with some e-tape. Got the idea from somebody else's post, I'll try to find it and update.

I went this route because I definitely did not like how tight it was against the grill.

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