Smittybilt XRC Bumper Tie-In Bracket Options

Hey guys, long story short, i ordered Ares Fab Tie-in brackets before i bought a bumper and i found a smittybilt bumper of craigslist for a good deal so i bought it but now im wondering if i can opt to use my ares fab tie-in brackets instead of the smittybilt ones since the Ares fab ones tie in to the unibody in more places. My only concern is that the smittybilt bumper uses 4 bolts to mount the bumper to the smittybilt bracket versus the Ares fab only uses 3 bolts to mount the bumper to the bracket. Can i get away with mounting the smittybilt bumper with 3 bolts? I guess what im asking is which option would be stronger? I'll be winching off this bumper.

If you use the biggest bolts that fit the holes the Ares brackets should be fine.

IMO a winch set-up should also have a cross-member reinforcement plate similar to this:

www.hooliganoffroad.com/products/xj-front-cross-member-stiffener

www.t-mfab.com/store-3/jeep-cherokee-xj-comanchee-mj-behind-the-front-bumper-stiffiner/

Tim_MN said:

If you use the biggest bolts that fit the holes the Ares brackets should be fine.

IMO a winch set-up should also have a cross-member reinforcement plate similar to this:

www.hooliganoffroad.com/products/xj-front-cross-member-stiffener

www.t-mfab.com/store-3/jeep-cherokee-xj-comanchee-mj-behind-the-front-bumper-stiffiner/

Click to expand...

Great, thank you i think that's what I'll do. I'll look into the cross-member, looks like i might have to remove the front clip to weld it on?

Tim_MN said:

IMO a winch set-up should also have a cross-member reinforcement plate

Click to expand...

I always thought the winch bumper did that job, unless you're suggesting a weak bumper would buckle under winching stress and "bow forward", pulling the frame rails toward one another?

FernGreen said:

..... might have to remove the front clip to weld it on ?

Click to expand...

Just the bumper.

Tim_MN said:

If you use the biggest bolts that fit the holes the Ares brackets should be fine.

IMO a winch set-up should also have a cross-member reinforcement plate similar to this:

www.hooliganoffroad.com/products/xj-front-cross-member-stiffener

www.t-mfab.com/store-3/jeep-cherokee-xj-comanchee-mj-behind-the-front-bumper-stiffiner/

Click to expand...

Ya I agree... those are both good options for a fair price.

I kinda dig the hidden winch designs when I remake my front bumper to take a winch... in which case the crossmenber gets deleted right?