Is it possible to do this, or am I stuck with the choices of either never getting stuck, never having a winch/bumper, or spending a lot of money to relocate the intercooler on my 2023 F-150? Surely someone has figured this out by now. I saw a guy on YouTube who tried it, but his solution involved gluing parts, which didn’t seem ideal.
I have had winches on four different vehicles. While I did use the winches, it wasn’t to pull myself out when I got stuck. Despite getting stuck at times, I was never in a situation where I could use the winch. I mostly drive on the beach, and I find traction boards and a shovel more useful. I have considered getting a winch again, but at 71, I’m reassessing what I actually need.
Although it’s unfortunate to have to purchase a front mount intercooler, it is a fantastic upgrade even for an otherwise stock truck. It’s the top modification I would recommend, along with perhaps a Hellwig rear sway bar.
That said, I had a winch on my 1995 4Runner with 37" tires and rarely used it because my traction boards were more effective in tough situations. I only used the winch once just to test it out; otherwise, it was always easier to use the traction boards to get out.
A custom-made winch bumper, designed specifically for your vehicle, can usually fit the intercooler without needing to move it. These bumpers are typically built to allow space around the intercooler while still protecting the winch and other parts. 