Project Raptor focuses on off-roadability. A winch is one of the critical components for serious off-roading or rock crawling. The Ford SVT Raptor is not really meant for crawling over huge rocks, but it can handle some difficult terrain. The winch provides additional level of safety for your vehicle or other vehicles on the trail. You can help pull the Raptor out of a mud hole or up a steep slope, or help recover another vehicle. The winch can also be useful for loading a stranded vehicle onto a trailer. It is a useful tool.
Our partners at AutoAnything.com have sent us a SmittyBilt X2O 12K winch, accessories, and an ICI Ford Raptor hidden winch mount to get the job done. The winch includes synthetic line, which is not as durable as steel cable, but is much safer to use and weighs less. It comes with a wireless remote, which can also be used in a wired configuration. The ICI hidden winch mount attaches to the frame rails with existing tow hook and some additional bolts and provides a solid mounting surface. It gets covered by the factory skid plate for a clean look. The installation appears as if it was done at the factory.
Using a synthetic line for winching has its pros and cons. One disadvantage is that you will need periodically replace the cable, depending on how much you use it. Synthetic cable simply does not last as long as steel. However, the advantages are significant. First, it weighs less than steel. When you are adding a mounting plate and a winch to the front bumper, you want to minimize the additional weight or it can significantly affect the handling dynamics of your vehicle. On-road handling of the Raptor is unchanged after this installation.
More importantly, the synthetic cable is safer to use. If it happens to fail, it does not have a tendency to recoil and cause damage like a steel cable might. Wearing gloves, boots, and long clothing is still recommended when winching, but the synthetic line make the experience safer.
This upgrade includes:
– ICI Ford Raptor hidden winch mount
– SmittyBilt winch accessory kit
Thanks to Ross Houk and John’s 4×4 for the help with the demonstration.
