Relocating winch control box ideas

Hello all. I've just installed a SSO slimline front bumper with a Warn winch on my 2019 TRD Pro. Because of the power steering line, I opted to remove the winch control box. Now I am looking for a good place to mount it, somewhere convenient. I already have a the cable relocation kit connected to the winch.

I would love to hear from those who have actually moved the control box. Where did you move it to and how did you mount it? Attached are some pictures of my engine bay.

I found the thread below from 2021 with similar content but non one mentioned where they might move the box to or any details about it.

Thanks!!

https://www.4runners.com/threads/winch-install-qs-about-relocating-atf-line.19942/

 

You linked my favorite post. When I joined this forum I had gathered every post about installing the hidden winch. Even now when I start typing this forum into the browser that post autopopulates.

I see your request in bold. And im sorry that im not replying with relocating the controller. Conversely i dont think you should. I tried to work this out for over a year and couldn't figure out a clean way to do it. Or a way I found acceptable.

If you scroll a bit through this post ive got pics and I think this is what you should do too. In short, relocating the cooling line.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/crows-2021-orp-super-white.32685/#post-469222

 

I have used a few different options in a few different installs.

You can space the control box up a little using spacers and longer bolts and this will clear the line:



You can also hang the box on its side off of a homemade bracket you bolt to the radiator support. I apparently don't have an image of this installed and visible from the front; this is the "best" image I have which kind of gives you an idea of where it hangs and the angle that it hangs.



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Edit, well shit I should have looked at the link before I posted because this is already in there. For some reason a lot of images aren't loading on this site this morning for me.

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Edit part two, I found these images of the control box mounted sideways to the radiator supports in my files

 

I also have an SSO bumper installed on my 2021 TRD Off Road.

I relocated the Warn winch control box to a "Manor Mount" from Tandem Offroad (Maner Mount - 5th gen 4Runner 10+ Winch Control Box Mount – Tandem Offroad) that bolts to the radiator support. I had to relocate one of the horns to an alternate location below the other horn but was a "bolt on" move with no issues. You can see from the pic below that I took during installation.




I also cut a small access hole in the radiator air deflector so that when needed, I would be easily able to plug in the winch cable to the remote.



I also wired the winch to a remote shutoff that you can see in the top right of the pic below.


Let me know if you have any questions about the install. I installed about 3 years ago and have been very happy with the results.

Cheers,
Bob

 

Thanks for the feedback Thacrow!

 

Thanks MeefZah. I saw the spacer option. I liked the idea but wanted the control box located in a more accessible location. Your second option is more inline of what I am looking at doing. Thanks for the info!!

 

Hey Bob. Thanks for posting This is what I was looking for. I've already ordered the mount. I already have the shutoff switch. My plan is to replace my custom mount that supports my electronics with an L shape mount that gives me the space for the shutoff switch.

BTW, I don't know if you or anyone else are interested but I'm also looking at relocating the clutch. Vice Designs makes a relocation kit for the Warn winches and RAM trucks. I purchased the kit below and hope to modify it so I have access to the clutch at the defector. That will give me easy access to the clutch and the control box when needed. If anyone knows of another clutch relocation kit for the 5th Gen 4R, please let me know. https://www.vicedesign.ca/products/...ARN+VR+EVO+Clutch+Relocation+Kit&_ss=e&_v=1.0

 

Hi Ken,

I clocked my winch clutch 90 degrees from top to front and can easily reach the clutch handle from the lightbar cutout or the lower cutout on the SSO bumper. Note: chose not to mount a light bar in the bumper so I could easily see the winch line on the spool....




Cheers,
Bob

 

Great point Bob. I do have a 30" light bar in mine but my 4R doesn't have the sensor on the grille that yours does and so I can see through my grille to track the winch line. I thought about clocking it as well but since I'd need to open the hood to power the winch and possibly plug in the remote control, I thought I might as well access the clutch from there too. We shall see how well it all works. Thanks again!!

 

I respect a well thought out setup, but OP I feel like you are overthinking this.

If you have to open the hood anyway, just cut an arm hole in the radiator top cover / shroud and stick your arm through it to work the clutch. It's easy to do from above. Image shown is with an SDHQ hidden bumper and placement should be very similar to the SSO.

Also and again, if you are already opening the hood... winch shut offs are great ideas, but you can do the same thing with a wing nut and a longer battery bolt... for $2.

But I am a cheap bastard, so my designs are all built around "how can I do this with shit I already have in my garage"...

 

Ken,

One difference that may be present on my winch is that I've got one of the bluetooth remotes made before Warn discontinued them. So far, I've only needed to reach through the radiator top cover once to use my winch when the battery in the remote died.... That said, I see why you would do it the way you are....

So many good ideas and different approaches - it's great to have this forum to get ideas from other T4R owners....

Cheers,
Bob

 

yeah sorry I wasnt thinking about access for a physical switch or the clutch