My new Winch Bumper

Well, I finally was able to get pictures of my new Winch Bumper for the xj.

The Warn winch I bought came with a winch plate for a TJ with a nice tubular brush guard, so I had to find a way to mount it on the xj. Using the tow hook brackets (which are actually flat tow brackets that I found at a jy) that I already had as a starting point, I fabbed up the rest. The brackets already tied into the frame and bumper mounts with 14 bolts total, so I just had to figure out how to use that as a base.

It sounds a lot easier than it was, but I basically just connected the two brackets with a 1.5" square tubing, 1/4" thick, and ran a vertical 1/4" plate (with 1/4" plate reinforcements on the back) up and then connected the winch plate onto the face of that with diagonal braces between the two.

I think it came out really well and is sturdy as all hell. Can't wait to test it out!

Is it mounted any farther back on the unibody than stock? It looks really good but the strength seems questionable.

I would recommend adding some of these :

http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=3UNBF&Category_Code=XJB

I wouldn't think you could do many hard pulls without some tie-ins. :dunno:

It ties in back into the frame. I didn't have to worry about the mounting because I used the tow hook brackets, which are actually flat tow brackets, and bolt back into the frame a good 12 - 16" as well as using the side mounts where the bumper attaches. In total, it mounts with 14 bolts and is all 1/4" thick steel with reinforcements. You can't see all the bolts because the skid plate covers them. It will hold! It's a sturdier mounting system than I see on a lot of aftermarket winch bumpers out there.