EcoDiesel Winch Install - Part 1, Components & Coupon Codes

The goal was simple - add a very capable winch to a 2015 4th Gen RAM EcoDiesel for around $1,000.  Why do I need a winch?  Mostly just for work around our property (tree removal, bushes, etc.) and the occasional off road trip.  I don't wheel much anymore but with long trips to rural Virginia and Pennsylvania in the wintertime, having a winch can't hurt.

  

With my $1,000 all-inclusive budget, an aftermarket bumper was out of the question.  While my truck has a mild 2.1" lift (Bilstein 5100 leveling shocks up front), I don't think it has an "aggressive" enough stance to warrant an expensive aftermarket winch bumper.

I quickly learned that there were few bolt on options that where aesthetically pleasing to me that would work for this fourth generation RAM while retaining the stock bumper.  There are a few grill guard options starting at around $600.  The closest thing I found to the Warn setup was Fab Fours DR09N26501 Winch Mount that is in the same ballpark price-wise as the Warn Trans4mer.  I personally didn't like the way the Fab Fours option looked on the Ram. 

I stumbled upon the Warn Trans4mer 90135 - Gen II Bracket Kit and Warn 88240 Gen II Trans4mer Black Mid-Frame Winch Mount Kit.  And let me tell you, it was no easy task finding this combination and figuring out that it would indeed work on the 4th Gen RAM Ecodiesel.

At the time of the install, I was unable to find this combination listed on any purchasing site that stated this setup would actually fit my truck.  Hours of research later (and zero pics on the web of a 4th Gen RAM 1500 with this setup), I finally figured out this combination should work after checking with Warn.  One of Warn's PDFs (Warn's Application Chart LINK) verified everything once I stumbled onto the Gen II Trans4mer kit.

Here's what I bought:

1) Warn 90135 Gen II Bracket Kit (10/2016 Retail on Amazon = $332.96, paid $288.07 on Jet.com using coupon code "Triple15".  Order fulfilled by "eCustomhitch" out of Florida.  Excellent service - delivery only took 2 days) 

Warn 90135 Gen II Bracket Kit INSTALL PDF LINK

2) Warn 88240 Gen II Trans4mer Black Mid-Frame Winch Mount Kit (10/2016 Retail on Amazon = $163.09, paid $160.54 through 4WheelParts.com using coupon code "BUYNOW" which knocked off 5% on their price.  Excellent service - delivery only took 2 days) 

Warn 88240 Gen II Trans4mer Black Mid-Frame Winch Mount Kit INSTALL PDF LINK

3) Smittybilt (98512) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 12000 lb. Load Capacity. Retail on Amazon = $649.99, paid $617.99 through 4WheelParts.com using coupon code "BUYNOW" which knocked off 5% on their price.  Excellent service - delivery only took 2 days)

Smittybilt (98512) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch INSTALL/OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS PDF LINK

My out-the-door total for everything needed to do this project was $1,066.60.  Had I ordered everything through Amazon, it would have cost me $1,226.26 after tax using Prime.  A little bit of digging saved me roughly $160...not bad.

I really like the way this kit looks and the fact that it is modular.  If you want to add a grill guard, lightbar, etc., Warn sells many add-on components that give the user a lot of styling options.  For me, I just left it basic and bolted on my Rigid Industry Dually spotlights and a forward facing waterproof camera (more on this DIY project coming soon).

The build continues....EcoDiesel Winch Install - Part 2, Installation & Tips LINK