front receiver hitch

I was going to save up for an ARB or WARN front bumper, one that could take a 2" receiver for a portable winch. I got a great deal on a Manik brush bar and may go with that instead. (a guy at work has one and showed me how he "re-inforced" it....doesn't move when hit now )
Anyway, the $450 I save on the ARB, would pay for other things....and I never intended to turn my XJ into a bulldozer I would still like to keep my front stock bumper AND have a 2"winch mounting point up front.
Does anyone know of a front receiver hitch or other trick to achieve this?
BLUTO

You can build one that will come out right in the mddle of the bumper.All the bolt-on ones sit right below the bumper.

Do you have any pics or a link to someone who did this? I found (on a search) that Draw-Tite has a front receiver, but it gets a little messy and I think you have to remove a skid plate (from looking at the installation directions)?
Your idea sounds a lot cooler and I can fab it at home (save $$$ )
BLUTO

Yep, look at the Tomken site for ideas of a front receiver bumper...lots more approach angle than a dedicated winch bumper. I saw one in person on Johann's (pre-97) XJ and it seems like a pretty stout piece. I dunno how they fit/look on 97+ XJs.

I bought a 'Hidden Hitch' brand front 2" receiver (one of the first aftermarket parts on my MJ) and it had tow-bar tabs & safety chain loops added to it....The prev. owner pulled his XJ behind an RV.

The bad thing was it mounted very low. I found a rock to play on at the dirt-road part of Tellico trail 5, and of course, bent that sucker down at about a 45* angle :doh: I did push the rock about a half a foot though It came off at camp that night, and I tried to straighten it out. Didn't get much success, so it was added to the 'later' pile.

Someday I may hack the bent mounting brackets off the cross tube and incorporate it into a bumper for something...

Based upon the damage I Inflicted to it, I dunno if that particular brand is heavy-duty enough to trust for mounting a multi-mount winch... And of course, there are much better bulldozers out there if that's your thing.

BLUTO said:

Do you have any pics or a link to someone who did this? I found (on a search) that Draw-Tite has a front receiver, but it gets a little messy and I think you have to remove a skid plate (from looking at the installation directions)?
Your idea sounds a lot cooler and I can fab it at home (save $$$ )
BLUTO

Click to expand...

Ive got some pics of my bumper build that might help with the concept(I'll look for them).What you need to do is build new brackets out of at least 5/16" then add some brackets for the OEM bumper then run 2x2x.25" thru the brackets(behind the bumper).cut a hole in the bumper and weld the receiver on.

Rusty's offroad has a front reciever hitch kit that works with their tow hook kit.

Thanks,
I went to Rusty's and saw the pic, I'm picking up my Manik brush bar tonite....so whatever route I go, I'll need to be able to fit it around the brush bar. RCP makes good mention that I can fab one up (and I just bought a MIG welder too ) and stick it straight thru the stock front bumper. The guy I'm buying the Manik from said it attaches to the tow hook brackets. Since I don't have tow hooks OR brackets, now is the perfect time to custom fab these three items (tow hooks, Manik, and reciever) into one harmonious work of art!

BLUTO

http://home.mchsi.com/~larstr/wsb/html/view.cgi-photo.html--SiteID-337301.html Here is a picture of the front bumper I built, cost $25.00 in steel

DUDE! That is one BigAssBumper!
As formidable as it appears, I'm still wanting to keep some of my XJ's front features intact.....I just want to "accentuate" where AMC/Chrysler left off! .
I would like to get rid of my chrome front grille and get a Patriot blue one instead. Anyone want to trade, mine's in excellent condition.

BLUTO

i have a 2" hidden hitch in the front right now. it hangs low but i hit it alot less than i thought i would.. i run a skid plate in it for those unfortunate moments.... the 2" box is mounted to the bottom of the drawbar.. i am going to have it cut off and re-welded to the front of the bar and gusset/box it with 1/4" plate... still cheaper than most other set-ups.. and then i might run a removable winch cradle in the front without fear..
sid