Winches Summer 2025

[MileHigh]

We haven’t had a new or an update on the winch threads as far as I can see. What is the state of the winches for the IG?

There is the stock one
I see the GPfactor one.

Are there any other integrated/hidden ones?

There are some that seem like the Jeep style of a winch in a cradle.

Who has retrofitted the GPFactor. It seems pretty solid. I’m also confused as to who makes and who sells it? I thought GP was an Australian company. They list on their website the dealer for CO is Juniper, but in the US I also see OK4WD and that Owl has them too. Owl has a place in Colorado it looks like.

Would it make sense to add the Owl hidden light bar at the same time while the front end is apart?

For those that have added the winch, did you beef up your springs too? To what?

 

[anand]

GP Factor is an American company based in PA; their primary retailer is OK4WD, and Juniper is a dealer for Alu-Cab (OK4WD is the US importer for AluCab and Buzz Overland as well) so it would make sense that Juniper sells GP Factor stuff.

I have the LFD Off Road winch mount on mine with a Warn VR Evo 12 winch. It does not sit flush like the GP Factor unit, but provides a good view of the winch drum, unlike anything that hides the winch.

I would imagine the GP Factor install is similar to the LFD (pop out the headlight trims, remove the front bumper covers, take out the OEM center bumper support, install winch cradle/mount, reinstall the bumper covers); which we were able to knock out in <3 hours with two people including taking photos for the install instructions. We didn't need to remove the grille for the install, and wiring was quick and easy to the terminal in the engine bay.

I upgraded springs considerably after the fact (winch was installed last September, springs were installed last month), but the ride height reduction from just the winch/winch mount wasn't super dramatic. Paired with adding sliders, a roof rack with weight on it, etc; it all added up. My choice in spring was the 2nd heaviest OEM spring (matched with the 2nd heaviest rear spring as well, although I would have gone heaviest if it was available when I ordered them)