Adding 121 lbs. (winch + mount) to my front end

[BroncoTrail]

I'll be getting a Warn winch and JCR winch plate installed soon. The total weight will be 121 lbs.

I am guessing this extra weight will drop the nose a little bit, affecting my ride height and decreasing my ground clearance slightly.

What do I need to do suspension wise to make up for this additional weight and get the vehicle to drive the way it always has?

Thanks!

 

[madcratebuilder]

Up your spring rate. When I added a Warn Zeon 12-s with plate to changed from a 575lb spring to a 600lb spring.

 

[JackAttack]

You'll need springs rated for the new weight on the front end.

 

[BroncoTrail]

@madcratebuilder
@JackAttack

OK how long did you wait after you added the weight (winch, etc.) to the front-end before you took measurements and then installed the new springs?
My installer is saying to wait 4-6 weeks after installing the winch + mount before ordering and installing new springs.

 

[MidOH]

He said that so you can wait for the newish suspension to settle, before picking new springs.

You're new springs may be too tall for a little while. Something most noticeable on 4" lifts, on Rams and Superduties.

But if the Bronco guys are all running the same spring with winches........

 

[JackAttack]

@madcratebuilder
@JackAttack

OK how long did you wait after you added the weight (winch, etc.) to the front-end before you took measurements and then installed the new springs?
My installer is saying to wait 4-6 weeks after installing the winch + mount before ordering and installing new springs.

A month is how long I waited after installing all the extra weight before pulling trigger.

 

[Adam_32194]

I'll be getting a Warn winch and JCR winch plate installed soon. The total weight will be 121 lbs.

I am guessing this extra weight will drop the nose a little bit, affecting my ride height and decreasing my ground clearance slightly.

What do I need to do suspension wise to make up for this additional weight and get the vehicle to drive the way it always has?

Thanks!

I’m guessing by your pic and name it’s a new bronco? With that said. You need to get a stock height measurement. Try from the bottom of the fender to center of tire hub. (Axle). Get a second measurement after install of your gear. What you’re most likely going to notice is the front springs, which hold the weight of the vehicle and gear are going to be compressed more statically (just sitting there). As you ride along a bouncy trail you’ll notice your vehicle bounce some more as the springs MAY be slightly undersized to adequately absorb the movement. So with all that said, you’ll need to put on a stiffer spring. Either as a complete kit shock and spring or just spring. Could be a time to put a lift on if you want to also increase your ride hide. So bottom line. Get some measurements loaded and unloaded. See how it rides on the type of trails you expect to go on. Then look into replace your front and maybe rear springs.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Put your winch on and drive it for a year.

If in a year you're still worried about it, re-spring it.
People get way too caught up in these deals. What about when you put your 250 pound buddy in the passenger seat?

 

[Chris Starling]

I couldn’t tell a difference on my Jeep when I added a new steel bumper and winch. Best advice I can give is put it on and try it out.

 

[BroncoTrail]

Put your winch on and drive it for a year.

If in a year you're still worried about it, re-spring it.
People get way too caught up in these deals. What about when you put your 250 pound buddy in the passenger seat?

Small details matter. Why do people care about having 9.6" of ground clearance vs. 10.7"? Ever been to Moab? Ever "almost scrape" or "almost hit" or "almost tip over"? Do you know what an approach angle is?

Anyway, I took measurements before having the winch installed, took measurements after, and noticed a difference in nose height and decrease in approach angle. I waited I think a month or so and then had new springs put on and it brought the nose back up to wear it should be. Problem solved.

 

[BroncoTrail]

P.S. I sold my Bronco since then, hah.

 

[MOAK]

Small details matter. Why do people care about having 9.6" of ground clearance vs. 10.7"? Ever been to Moab? Ever "almost scrape" or "almost hit" or "almost tip over"? Do you know what an approach angle is?

Anyway, I took measurements before having the winch installed, took measurements after, and noticed a difference in nose height and decrease in approach angle. I waited I think a month or so and then had new springs put on and it brought the nose back up to wear it should be. Problem solved.

Wow that's harsh, what does being to Moab have to do with anything? I've been to the 4 corners region 15-20 times, lost count, I'd have to go back through my photo files to know for sure. But Moab? Its a town of about 5,000 people with paved roads, a lot of little tourist trap type shops, and way too many tourists. But, hey, street cars with 3" of clearance seem to have no problem in Moab. So what's your point. Ah, that's right, small details matter! Forgive my sarcasm dude, but lose the attitude. You don't even work on your own vehicle. Bruce is absolutely correct, people get all caught up in this stuff trying to make their vehicle perfect and losing an inch of clearance is not a big deal for an overlanding rig. Competition rock crawler? Then ya, an inch of clearance might be the difference between winning an event or not. I've been doing this stuff for 30 some years, building as I go. It took over ten years to get my cruiser dialed in perfectly for what we do. You sold your Bronco, already? That doesn't surprise me. It doesn't even have a solid axle.