Just catching up on this thread and honestly, you gotta look at the technical trade-offs of weight vs protection. Since you're hitting rocky terrain, skid plates are non-negotiable. I'd skip the heavy steel and look at the Asfir 4x4 Full Underbody Aluminum Skid Plate Kit for Ford Bronco. It uses 6mm 5052 aluminum which is plenty for moderate crawling without killing your MPG or sagging your front end like steel does. For lighting, definitely compare the lumen-per-watt efficiency. The Baja Designs Squadron Pro LED Ditch Light Kit is basically the gold standard for ditch lights right now. They push about 4,900 lumens each but have way better heat dissipation than the cheaper pods. If you want a winch that isnt the standard Warn, the Comeup Seal Gen2 9.5rs Winch 12V 9500lb is killer. It has an external brake which keeps the drum cool, so it wont melt your synthetic line during long pulls. Good luck with the build!

Just saw this! Tbh before you spend a grand on a winch, do you already have a portable air compressor? For rocky terrain, airing down your tires is basically the best performance boost you can get, but you gotta be able to air back up for the drive home. It saves your tires from punctures too. I really recommend the ARB On-Board High Output Air Compressor 12V as a solid, reliable starting point.

Congrats on the Badlands! Honestly, thats a killer starting point since you already have the lockers and sway-bar disconnect. Tbh, before you go buying everything, you really gotta think about your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). A common mistake I see is guys bolting on every heavy steel plate they find and then wondering why their suspension is sagging and their fuel economy tanked. For the winch, definitely prioritize synthetic line over steel. Its not just about the weight savings, though that helps keep the front end from diving; its a major safety thing. If a steel line snaps, it stores a terrifying amount of kinetic energy. Synthetic just drops. Also, make sure you calculate your stall speed and amp draw. Some winches pull massive current that can actually fry a stock battery if you arent keeping the RPMs up during a pull. Regarding the skids, the factory Badlands plates are okay for glancing blows, but they are thin. If you are doing moderate crawling, you need to protect the transmission pan and the fuel tank. Just be careful with steel vs aluminum. Steel can take a beating but adds hundreds of pounds. Aluminum is lighter but it tends to gall or stick when you are sliding over a rock, which can actually kill your momentum. Just some technical stuff to chew on before you drop the cash!

Nice choice with the Badlands! Quick question tho, are you looking at a hidden winch mount or a full bumper replacement? I ask because if you go the winch route, you really need to be careful about your front-end airflow. Ive seen guys accidentally block their intercooler with big light bars or winch setups, which is a recipe for overheating during slow crawls. Definitely something you wanna map out before buying.

Quickly tho, what is your budget? Warn VR EVO 10-S 10000lb Synthetic Winch is super reliable but pricey, while Smittybilt X20 GEN2 10K Waterproof Winch is cheaper but has more failure points.