2020 Tundra Hidden Front Winch Clutch Lever Access

Anyone out there running a SDHQ hidden winch mount w/o the Warn Zeon Winch. I like the look of the SHDQ mount. I would love to go with the Zeon wireless clutch winch but don't think I can justify the price for how often I may need it.

My question: is there a way to access the freespool / Clutch lever on a less expensive winch?

 

Not sure about your question, but these guys have a hidden winch mount too that might work for you.

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/

 

I've been looking through threads for the same info and found this one where he has installed the sdhq with a 12,000 Badlands winch.

 

I am about to install the SDHQ hidden winch mount with a Smittybilt X20, 12000 lb winch. I am going to mount the control box up under the hood using my own fabricated wiring to extend the reach. As many pictures as I saw, I could never figure out how a guy can plug in the remote control behind the bumper once the truck is all back together...so, control box will be extended with 5 or 6 ft wires up under the hood. The X20 can be used as a wireless but I don't feel comfortable relying on that only down the road. The remaining issue would be the free spool clutch handle. I anticipate that I'll be able to snip out a section of that plastic lower grill to get my hand in there when I need to move the handle. My best guess is that it will line up sufficiently. Its going to be in the 60's here in Philly on Saturday...I'm thinking that's the day. Anyone searching for the answers to the same questions I had, I can post some pictures after I go through the process. I went with the SDHQ because I didn't want a road warrior look to my truck. Stealth works for me. The SDHQ mount came yesterday, packed like it could survive ww3 and solid as a rock. Stay tuned.

 

@Puba Haven't purchased the mount yet buuut when i do my plan was to extend and cut through the bumper and mount one of these somewhere on the plastic part of the bumper for the remote. I Had a F250 with a semi-hidden winch mount that came with an extended cord to relocate the plug in the skirting. Its what gave me the idea to do it for the Tundy. I agree with you on the cutting of the lower grille for the free spool handle. Unless ya can fabricate some kind of jointed/hinged push/pull knob.

 

That looks workable. I purchased 4AWG, connectors and heat shrink tube in a kit from Amazon already...along with split loom to protect the wires. Stuff is all sitting in my garage at the moment. I've seen some of the Jeep guys mount a connector like that right on the outside of the vehicle. My solution is a bit pricey but it will all be under the hood and up high where I want it. I actually bought two of these winches and have a kit coming from Rogue Fabrication on the left coast for a rear reciever winch mount. Where I go in Quebec, a guy can find himself in a shit show in short order. We try and access the least used lakes for fishing up there and AAA ain't around.....but the gd Beavers are. They never stop finding ways to screw up the old logging roads when and where you least expect it. Washouts can ruin a good day of fishing.

 

P.S. I could not bring myself to fork out almost 2k for the Warn Zeon Premium.....that has the same level of good and bad reviews as the Smittybilt. So far, I've called Smittybilt direct a few times with questions and they answered the phone by the third ring every time and were very helpful. The 12000 lb X20 Comp Smiitys were $508 each from 4W Parts.

 

So when i had my Taco I had an in the cab switch to control my winch made by 12voltguy.....he sells just the wiring kit so you can wire it yourself just fyi....
https://www.12voltguy.com/4-runner (don't mind the 4runner at the end of the link, its universal)
I know this doesn't answer the question you have proposed of accessibility to reach the clutch on the winch, but it does make it nice in lieu of having to get out and plug the handheld in/out remote. His instructions that came with the wires are easy to understand and simple install to the winch wires.

 

Thanks for the tip. More places to spread my money around to keep America great.

 

Answer to CowwFace first question. This install was a bitch but it can be done. I fabricated longer wires for the controller and mounted it under the hood. The clutch handle on the Smiittybilt X20 (mounted on the SDHQ hidden winch mount) lines up perfectly with the lower plastic grill. I snipped out a small section to get my hand in there when needed. See attached.

 

Worth it in the end....but toasted an entire weekend doing this by myself

 

I didn't clock it at all. I don't see how you could get at it from underneath either with the way the mount is designed. Plus, I have a Curtis front hitch for a snow sport plow I use and no way would that work for me. Can you see your truck buried in a mud bog and trying to reach the clutch from under the bumper? lol

I did have to cut the "ears" back on the SDHQ support brackets to get the hitch to mount flush. Part of the reason my install took 2x the estimate.

 

New to this so what all is needed for this build @Puba it looks clean and simple. What I need. Nothing more nothing less. Thanks

 

Depends. Which winch are you going to use? And where do you want to mount the control box? SDHQ recommends the high dollar Warn that is all remote controlled, including the free spool clutch from what I understand. I cheaped out and got the Smittybilt and I wanted to controller up under the hood...so, that required some extras.

 

No Sir. It's manual.

 

The SDHQ mount is a quality product. Originally I was going for front hitch and rear hitch mount but I would have needed a beefy 2" extension to get the winch out in front....and then you end up reducing winch capacity and add in unknown variables under load (especially on angle) that I concluded were not an acceptable risk in a recovery situation. The SDHQ mount is now part of the truck frame for all intensive purposes.

 

I have a Smittybilt X20 10K and a Victory Blitz 1/2 bumper with hidden winch. The holes in the bumper get me to the winch controls, but it is a tight fit for my forearms.