Was wondering what peoples opinion was about using a winch plate on a stock TJ front bumper?
Also what you guys think of Smittybilt winches?

 

Just last month I put a winch on my TJ. Managed to pick up a 8500 super winch for $299 at quadratec.
Had to remove my tubular bumper for modifications for the winch, so i put the stock bumper back on.

A few notes, bumber itself does not matter provided it doesnt get in the way of the winch. You are not pulling using the bumper but from the winch plate which is bolted to the frame of the jeep.

Big difference between the TJ and CJ/YJ is on the TJ the frame does not extend out as far past the front of the vehicle. Since there are no leaf springs to attach to it (frame) it is shorter.

I did find out that there are two different styles of winch plates thou.

- first one is the same that is used on the cj's and yj's a simple flat plate that bolts to the frame with a lip in the front for the fairlead to mount.
Because of the shorter length of frame this winch plate sticks out past the stock bumper, making your winch stick out as well. ( if buying this plate make sure it is also for the TJ as there is a second set of bolt holes set back on the plate).

-The second plate is called a raised winch plate (aka piggieback winch plate) which raises the winch up and over top of the sway bar allowing the winch to be set back. Thus providing the winch set up to be flush with the stock bumper .

This raised winch plate is not cheap, $150 and up, from the winch manufactures ( I bought mine off ebay cheaper)

I hope this helps, feel free to PM .

 

Expense for nothing. Take the stock bumper of a tj, go to ur local steel company and buy a 1/4" max steel plate of course measure what size first so that it covers over the hook mounts a little. I did this remounted my tow hooks, but with nr 8 bolts a little longer of course lock washers and voila. Mounted my winch on the plate..lots strong... good english..

 

I bought the smitybuilt XRC winch bumper and it was cheaper than my XRC8 winch. I'd love to tell you how the winch works but i have yet to use it. Tho, the bumper and winch look awesome. Also, The light bar on the XRC bumper doesnt allow the use of the remote for the winch. the bar is in the way not matter if you mount the box over the drum or beside. But like i said, it looks amazing!!