I was having a hard time installing my Smittybilt XRC 8 winch and for the life of me could not figure out why... until I compared the pics of all the winches I've seen online with the one I actually received...

My biggest problem? The place where the remote control goes into the solenoid is different than all the pictures online.

The one I actually received has the port on top of the solenoid. Because I have the Rugged Ridge XHD bumper with hoop, I can not plug in the remote. Grrr...

Stock photo...



My actual winch...



So for now I have it attached by one bolt so the solenoid can pivot forward, I'll get an extention plate to attach it to the second bolt tomorrow...

Should I contact Smittybilt and see if I can get the older version? I'm sure I won't be the only one with this problem.

 

And another thing... all the stock photos show a black fairlead base, the one I got is all silver and looks terrible on the black XHD bumper.

Hard to compare and do your homework when the actual product doesn't look like the all the pics online.

 

I sent off an email... I'll try that first. Then move on from there. Really bugs me!!!

 

The one I have has the ability to mount over the cable, that's how I wanted it to begin with, but there was no way I could with the remote plug being on top.



^^^ Taken from the instruction manual, so they didn't even update that, haha.

 

That sucks, mine was last years model and it came with both brackets. One to mount center, over the drum and then the one you have to mount on the left.

I had to modify mine slightly as well. I have the Expedition One Basic DX and the control box sat too far forward to fit. I had to drill new holes in the bracket to move the control box back 1/2".

Here's an idea: can you mount the box directly on top of the motor? The underside of mine has brackets that can be used with a pair of large band clamps. It might drop the box down low enough for you to be able to attach the control.

 

Seems like I've read somewhere here that the hoop can be mounted in either direction (angled back or forward). That may not be what you're after aesthetically, but it keeps money in your pocket!

 

installed the same winch on buddys smittybuilt front bumper. remote would not hook up as delivered (front hoop blocked remote.) Made temporary bracket so we could use and contacted smittybuilt. Smittybuilt stated they would send necessary bracket to fix problem. I will contact my friend and see if he rec. it.

 

You could wire your self up an in cab winch control until they get you the necessary hardware. Since I've done that I've never even used my remote. It's nice to have this because the remote seems to always be buried under something.
Here is a link I used from a toyota board for my m8000. The xrc can't be too much different. http://yotatech.com/f131/cab-control...-winch-151571/

 

I too have the Rugged Ridge bumper with hoop and I purchased the Smittybilt XRC10 winch. When I first installed the hoop I had it angled forward and when I tried to install the solenoid the port was being blocked as you stated. So I ended up installing the hoop angled backwards and I can access the port now.

 

Thanks for the info, I was going to get one of these next month, now I am having second thoughts, may go with the superwinch 9.0!