Review: SDHQ Winch Mount

[xBX]

Ok, so for the better part of yesterday my friend and I were busy installing the winch mount.

For starters, we probably ran into ever problem that I could think of or imagine and this slowed us down dramatically.

First we start trying to remove the stock nuts and bolts. The guy from SDHQ I spoke to told me that it is a 21mm socket wrench. I went to 3 stores, no 21mm so I get a 22mm. This works.
So we remove all the stock shit and now our next issue is what was does this mount go. Now it might seem too easy or whatever but my friends going to Yale and even he was stumped. We end up spending 4 hours putting the stuff on upside down and all sorts of shit.

Ok now I remove everything and start over... **** me.

So I put everything back in, this time correctly and start to drill the frame and bumper out. ****** A this is what took the longest time by far. Especially cause I don't have a plasma cutter, just a regular old drill.
Finally I get the bumper back on and looking normal. But Its now 9:30pm. Too late.

Problems we ran into:
SDHQ mount holes were too small- called SDHQ and they told me to redrill there holes out. Not sure how you sell a product that doesn't fit.

No directions or instructions so we installed it incorrectly the first time and all the pictures on the Internet are shit.

Drill bit broke- took that much longer

All these nuts are on so tight taking that shit off takes forever. An putting on is the same dance.

I would have to say that this product needs a direction kit or something. Not just metal and nuts and bolts in a package. Also maybe include a drill bit the right size. For 300$? I think it was, it really does not fit so snug. It may look good but **** that, there was no ease in putting this shit together.

I'd really like not to cut there company down but you can't sell a product with 0 literature unless it's VERY straight forward. I think of myself as mechanically inclined and now if I did this again it won't take forever but this is a bit ridiculous.

Overall I cant recommend this unless it makes some improvements along a more user friendly line.

 

[SDHQ]

Brad,

I'm sorry you feel the way you do about our product. I take 100% blame ON not having directions on our web site for the winch mount, It is not any help to you now, but we will have detailed instruction on our site by the end of the week. That being said, we have been happy to put a tech on the phone and help anyone through the install process. Some people needed just one call in to use, some none, and others took 3-4 phone calls to walk through. To remove the factory bumper it takes a 21 mm socket and you will need to drill 2 5/8" holes for the winch mount (no plasma cutter needed).

In your "review" you said "it really does not fit so snug". IMO if it does not fit "snug", there is an install issue and or a bent frame. I would be happy to take back the winch mount and give you a full refund since you are not happy.

For others, here are a couple emails we have gotten the last few weeks about our winch mount -

Comments or Questions: I just wanted to let you guys know that I was able to sucessfully mount the Raptop winch mount into my 2011 F150 Lariat Limited. There were a few holes I had to drill and a minor amount of work to create a hole for the fairlead, but overall pretty smooth install. I installed a SuperWinch Talon 9.5 on the mount adn it fit no prob. Just thought you'd like to know in case other customers inquire as I had. I'm super happy with the product and suggest advertising for other f150 models.

Cheers,
John



Comments or Questions: Hi Guys,
Just wanted to say NICE JOB on your winch mount! Installed mine yesterday and was truly amazed that there was no fitting, cutting or trimming. I'm in the grading business 30+ yrs. and have fabricated a lot of stuff large and small. It's truly nice to see a product that is nicely built and fits like it is supposed too.
Job well done!!!!

Thanks,
John Watson

 

[xBX]

No I like the mount. It fits better, I had to reassemble everything and just screw a few things in better since that post.

It's in and done, I would just like to heed caution to people who were looking on purchasing the mount. Stating that it was done in 30 minutes is astonishing, but that's not realistic for the average consumer.

I would say 5-9 hours is a solid amount of time and even working hard, it'll take that long.

I do really appreciate your tech Kevin. He asked me to take pictures, reviewed my pictures and called me back. If it wasn't for him, I would not have finished....

Again thank you for the reply, I do not want to hurt your company or bad mouth y'all because the transaction was very smooth.

Also any Warn winch will fit that mount. It's all about the mounting holes on the winch not specifically the winch itself.