🛠️ Member Build GX 550 Front Winch Bumper options
- Thread starter SethGX
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I, too, like to live dangerously.
I just ordered the JW Offroad front bumper. Deciding on a 12K winch in the next day or two.
Let us know your thoughts once it comes in. While I would love to get set up, I am still Leary about spending a bunch on a safety product from unknown vendors.
This guy gets it.
You’re changing the dynamics of your crumple zones etc.
This is a completely new design, so I’m gonna wait a bit and see what the competitive industry produces.
I've been doing steel winch bumpers on my trucks for a long time now. As far as I know, ARB was the only manufacturer that did (or had done) actual crash testing and they utilized crush cans in their bumper frame mounts. On the Land Rovers, the ARB crush-can bumpers were also famous for rotating upward and damaging the body work if the bumper hit the ground, in a steep descent for instance.
Of course it is true that a steel winch bumper will change the crash dynamics. If you're not willing to accept this fact, then you must stick with the OEM equipment or wait and see if any companies come out with full crash-tested bumpers. I doubt that the Lexus GX550 will specifically be on ARB's radar but the new Land Cruiser probably is....if it's a direct-fit swap then the Lexus may be in luck.
Of course it is true that a steel winch bumper will change the crash dynamics. If you're not willing to accept this fact, then you must stick with the OEM equipment or wait and see if any companies come out with full crash-tested bumpers. I doubt that the Lexus GX550 will specifically be on ARB's radar but the new Land Cruiser probably is....if it's a direct-fit swap then the Lexus may be in luck.
Not sure about their testing, but Ironman (generally not held in the same esteem as ARB but a big brand) has had bumpers on sliding mounts that at least protect the frame (not to mention the bumper itself) in certain types of collisions. And they've had models for past Lexuses. I expect we'll see from inter-brand compatibility among future ARB bumpers too, but it will probably be a while.
I know everyone's needs are different, but mine don't involve climbing over fields of rocks and boulders or up extremely steep, low-traction surfaces. I think most people who go over that stuff have more purpose-focused rigs than our Swiss Army knife GXs. I expect to use a winch in my GX the same way as in my old Land Cruiser--as a recovery device in the rare situations I get stuck in more moderate terrain and can't get out with my 4 traction boards (which take care of 90% of problems). And in those recovery situations, I've almost always wanted to go backwards. I have a hitch-mounted rear winch for now for that purpose, and I expect I'll skip the front winch to optimize the highway safety of my rig. But again, that's just me, based on my needs. And I might change my mind as my travels or the available products evolve.
I know everyone's needs are different, but mine don't involve climbing over fields of rocks and boulders or up extremely steep, low-traction surfaces. I think most people who go over that stuff have more purpose-focused rigs than our Swiss Army knife GXs. I expect to use a winch in my GX the same way as in my old Land Cruiser--as a recovery device in the rare situations I get stuck in more moderate terrain and can't get out with my 4 traction boards (which take care of 90% of problems). And in those recovery situations, I've almost always wanted to go backwards. I have a hitch-mounted rear winch for now for that purpose, and I expect I'll skip the front winch to optimize the highway safety of my rig. But again, that's just me, based on my needs. And I might change my mind as my travels or the available products evolve.
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Did you settle on one? I was looking at the X-Bull XRS... but I'm very new to this world so any advice will be freely taken!
X-BULL Electric Winch XRS 13500 LBS 12V Synthetic Rope for Towing Truc
Buy X-BULL Electric Winch XRS 13500 LBS 12V Synthetic Rope for Towing Truck Off Road with 2 in 1 Wireless Remote for only $429.00 at X-BULL!
www.xbullauto.com
I have this winch sitting in my garage waiting for the bumper to arrive:
SCAR 12S - 12,000 lbs. Rated Synthetic Rope Winch
SCAR 12S - 12,000 lbs. Rated Synthetic Rope Winch
X-BULL Electric Winch XRS 13500 LBS 12V Synthetic Rope for Towing Truc
Buy X-BULL Electric Winch XRS 13500 LBS 12V Synthetic Rope for Towing Truck Off Road with 2 in 1 Wireless Remote for only $429.00 at X-BULL!
www.xbullauto.com
I'd read (or watch on youtube) as many reviews as you can. Ignore the "sponsored" reviews, those are just paid commercials. Badlands winches seem to be all over the place with good reviews. The days of Warn being the only winch to have are long gone - the majority of winch internals all come out of the same china sweat-shops nowadays and only the stickers are different. But you wouldn't know it with Warn's prices!
I just noticed that X-Bull is advertised at 13,500 lbs. That's a monster! I'd investigate that to see how true it is....make sure the advertised pull ratings are apples to apples (max pull is only for the first wrap of rope on the drum - is that what Brand A is advertising, is that the what Brand B is advertising?).
As I mentioned before, most of these winches are pretty much the same - planetary gears, similar power, similar speeds, similar waterproofing, similar electronics, etc. Check the power rating, line speeds, rope or cable specs, etc. Also, is the winch cheap because the fairlead and hook are optional at extra cost? Is shipping free? Etc.
As I mentioned before, most of these winches are pretty much the same - planetary gears, similar power, similar speeds, similar waterproofing, similar electronics, etc. Check the power rating, line speeds, rope or cable specs, etc. Also, is the winch cheap because the fairlead and hook are optional at extra cost? Is shipping free? Etc.
A couple final comments on the X-Bull:
Check the size - it's big!
Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) - 23.6" X 13.4" X 10.2"
For comparison, the advertised dimensions of the SCAR 12k winch are
21.3” L x 6.3” W x 7.9” H
I'd check with Josh at JW Offroad to make sure it will fit. The bolt pattern is the standard 10" X 4.5" so it should bolt into the bumper's winch tray just fine, but make sure it will fit in the space allotted in our trucks. I haven't yet investigated the space up there/back there as I have yet to disassemble anything on this GX550. I don't know why the X-Bull would be so wide (13.4" vs. 6.3").
Also, can you "clock" this winch? This means that you can unbolt and rotate the right side cover with the free-spool handle so the handle faces forward. That would be a benefit for our application with a winch that's pretty much hidden with only small access ports in the front face of the bumper.
Check the size - it's big!
Overall Dimensions (L x W x H) - 23.6" X 13.4" X 10.2"
For comparison, the advertised dimensions of the SCAR 12k winch are
21.3” L x 6.3” W x 7.9” H
I'd check with Josh at JW Offroad to make sure it will fit. The bolt pattern is the standard 10" X 4.5" so it should bolt into the bumper's winch tray just fine, but make sure it will fit in the space allotted in our trucks. I haven't yet investigated the space up there/back there as I have yet to disassemble anything on this GX550. I don't know why the X-Bull would be so wide (13.4" vs. 6.3").
Also, can you "clock" this winch? This means that you can unbolt and rotate the right side cover with the free-spool handle so the handle faces forward. That would be a benefit for our application with a winch that's pretty much hidden with only small access ports in the front face of the bumper.
Regarding the size of the X-Bull, I just noticed that the pictures they have show that it's much smaller in dimensions....it certainly looks smaller.....something is incorrect....
Yea the more I read on it (which is not much) the less confident I am it's something I want to invest in. Just too many questions marks for that money.
