ARB Bumper and Winch Installation Questions

Good morning everyone,

I just ordered a Smittybilt X20 Winch and I'm planning on installing it tonight. I did some searching and didn't find a whole lot, but it seems to me like the winch needs to be clocked 90 degrees so that the "feet" are pointing directly forward in the bumper, while the free-spool handle and wire posts are pointed directly upwards? Does that sound right?

Thanks!

 

The first gen tacoma need to be clocked about 144 degrees, the ARB bumper has the handle access from below next to where you have your plate mounted in your bio photo.
I have a Warn in mine but it should be roughly the same position as your X20.
You can see in this photo where the feet are (Bolt sticking out) and the lever is positioned so that it is on the bottom when installed.
Hope this helps.

 

Unfortunately this X20 can only be clocked in 90 degree increments, I may have to play with the position to see what works. I am thinking I could point it up and be able to reach it from the top slot?

 

No way to reach it from the top, the handle ends up too far to the side. The only decent access is from the bottom, you should set it to stick directly down.



If memory serves, I also had to clock the motor side to get the wiring to line up like I wanted.

 

thanks! That looks like an X20 also? It looks like you mounted the controller on the top of the bumper as well? Does the winch come with the proper hardware to do that?

 

It's an XRC, but I believe they're pretty similar. Between what it came with and the bumper did, I had enough to mount it there. Since I did them at the same time, I can't be sure what came with what.

 

Gotcha, thanks

 

The bumper should come with a bracket for mounting the license plate and a bracket for relocating the solenoid box to the top of the bumper.

 

I don't have any of that with me, I've had this bumper for years. Am I screwed?

 

No biggie for the license plate bracket. The winch solenoid bracket is pretty handy though. It is essentially a C shaped piece of steel with holes drilled in it. I know that it is the same bracket for the 1st and 2nd gens, it's likely the same for all ARB bumpers. If you can't make or find one used you could give ARB USA a call, they've been helpful when I've called.

 

Yeah, I'll have to see what I can make work in the meantime. I assume the control box won't fit on top of the winch itself?

I've seen a couple 80s series guys flip the winch so the control box is poirting towards the back of the vehicle, I may have to play around with different orienations or maybe flirt with the idea of putting it in the engine bay if the wire length is sufficient.

 

Well I ended up putting the handle pointing forward, seems ok to access either from the back or through the lower hole of the bumper. Handle is a bit difficult to turn right now though.

the solenoid won't work where I mounted it so it'll def have to go on the bumper. I may resort to self tapping screws and/or industrial strength Velcro lol

 

@penadam did you end up having to use the "feet" bolts also for the fairlead? I'm not seeing any other holes for the fairlead.

 

Glad you got it to work. How are you accessing the clutch handle from the back? Isn't the plate that goes between the bumper and skid plate in the way?


As for the fairlead, it's attached using the lower winch bolts. ARB calls for 1-1/4" bolts for the top of the winch and 1-1/2" for the bottom to account for the thickness of the fairlead.

 

I've never used that filler plate, I took one look at it and figured it was a useless cosmetic thing and never installed it haha.

I plan to go to the hardware store today to get a couple of new bolts.. and probably some velcro haha

 

I'd reconsider the filler plate if you still have it. It can really help keep stuff from splashing onto the winch and cable which will help prolong the lift of both of them.

 

I'll have to check, it might be with a parts pile in my hometown.

 

I made a bracket, but not really a good way to fasten to the bumper so i just went with the double sided industrial tape route.

 

So I reconsidered while waiting for a new clutch housing o ring, and you're right, it's a bit easier to manipulate with the handle facing down. Might be a struggle for people with very large hands or arms to fit through the bumper slot but oh well. I'll see if I still have that filler plate at my mom's house back home.

 

Ended up needing to clock the electrical side to face directly to the back of the truck in order to get all the connections bolted on. Also it's not terrible lifting up the bumper by yourself with the winch on (no line attached), just a little awkward.

Finally finished.