lift and tires or winch and bumper

[hourang]

im trying to decide what to do first on my exploder. if you had the choice, which would you do first?

winch and nice winch bumper with offroad lights (~$1000-1500)
OR
lift kit and wheels/tires(~$1-2k)
?

i really really coulda used the winch over the weekend woulda saved my cousin $150 tow bill, and the ex is very capable right now and if i ever get stuck i can get myself out, or should i just get the kit and tires which would make it look bad azz?

 

[Ren1010]

I would go with the winch and bumper.
But you got to think about it, and where you like to ride. Cause if you have lift and tires, you can get to different (harder to get to) places. With the winch you might not be able to get to the places you might really need a winch plus, I have the bumper, lights & tires already, and I am prob gonna get the lift soon.

 

[hiridin]

since your doing both anyways it doesn't matter too much. regardless i'd go with the lift first. it would be more fun to drive where u want to go rather than drag yourself there. and soon enough u'll have the winch to go with it.

 

[Mutineer]

I would go with the tires and lift first.

Lift and tires do more than just let you look badass:

Remember and increased ground clearance afforded you by the addition of larger tires will allow you to get to many places that you would not see without them, winch or not.

A winch should be thought of as a rescue device, and not a 4wheeling tool; a last resort peace of mind.

Outfit your truck to make it there and back without the winch, and then have the winch as a backup.

I have no wich, and I have yet to need one on any of the many 4wheeling trips I go on. But I dont rock crawl or anything that you would routinely need a winch for. If that is your plan, the winch may very well be the best choice, having safety in the forefront of your mind.

The trick is to (1) build your truck to suit your needs, (2) remember the limits of your truck, and (3) always have a backup plan. Thats where the winch comes in, in my opinion.

My 2 Cents.

Daniel

 

[hourang]

yeah im gonna do both eventually but who knows how long before i do the other one so i want the one that will be the most useful until then.

the trails we go on are not that bad but then out of no where you hit really bad spots, and in the winter you cant see them, my buddy has gotten stuck twice since he has had the truck (1k miles on an 06 f150) and it would be cool to just pull up and winch him out or me if i get stuck.

plus im kinda limited on the lift,tires and gears i can do since its a daily driver and i do a LOT of highway driving and the parking structure at work has like a 6ft roof (not sure if my ex will be that tall, guess i should find out). im still researching what lift,tires,gears i want. and im pretty much set on what bumper and winch i want so hense the poll.

i appreciate all the input.

 

[tgertz77]

6 foot roof is very short... I have a 2" skyjacker lift and 31"s and I havent measured it but I know its higher than 6 ft.

 

[hourang]

6 foot roof is very short... I have a 2" skyjacker lift and 31"s and I havent measured it but I know its higher than 6 ft.

yeah i think its actually 6ft 4in, ill have to check when i leave today, im still at work this sucks. i was actually thinking of going with that setup but i sure hope it will fit in the structure or im screwed.

 

[hourang]

ok the structure is 6ft 5", i looked and it and it looks like i have a good foot between the roof and the ceiling, so im thinking ill be fine with a 4" lift and 33's? actually my 85 f250 with a 3" lift and 31" tires fits so this should work. anyone measure there heights with this?

 

[white95explorer]

I have gone down the winch and bumper route first. I would have rather had the lift first but, as things had it the winch bumper route has all costed me less then $500. I built me a custom bumper out of 5x5 3/8" thick box beam. I also have made custom mounts to my frame and this weekend weld my winch mount to it. Cost of the bumper is no more then $75 in it. As far as my winch was concerned, I got a heck of a deal on a 12,000lb Warn winch for $300 (long, long story...). Even then you still could get a Mile Marker winch for about $500 (we used them in Army if that tells you about reliablity).

 

[SplashMan]

Mix it up a little...
Get yourself a set of tires in the next size up... then get yourself a winch and a front reciver. Buy or have a reciver winch mount made.
Should be able to do all that for around what you are looking at spending and now you got bigger tires to get you more places and a winch that you can pull yourself and others out with.