Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Front Bumper Upgrade

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-21-2016, 12:35 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Reble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Talking Front Bumper Upgrade

I'm at the point in my build where it is now time to upgrade the front bumper.
I've got my rear Smittybilt with tire carrier done. (Needed to retain interior space.)

I do not want a front bumper with a winch. The winch (future) will be plate mounted for use on the front or rear receiver hitch.

I really like the plain simple style of the JCR Crusader front bumper.
Has HiLift points, LED cutouts and a front receiver.

http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJB/XJFC.html

Was wondering what other great bumpers like this many of you may have experience with?

Will hold off on my purchase for a week or so to gather feedback.
Attached Images  
Old 07-21-2016, 12:43 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Reble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Also saw this style. Doesn't have LED cutouts, but imagine the Angry Eyes look with this:

http://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/moja...erokee-xj.html
Attached Images  
Old 07-21-2016, 02:08 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I would suggest that you rethink your main winch on the front being a receiver mounted one, as they are not designed for any type of side pulls at all only straight ones.

I have my main winch on the front and a second smaller one for the rear that can be used at times but at very rare time it has been over 5 yrs now, almost a waste of money for me.
Old 07-21-2016, 02:17 PM
  #4  
Seasoned Member
 
roadraje's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1999 Limited
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L I6 Power Tech
Default

http://www.ajsoffroadarmor.com/produ...cat=251&page=1
Old 07-21-2016, 02:54 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Reble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Talking

Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
I would suggest that you rethink your main winch on the front being a receiver mounted one, as they are not designed for any type of side pulls at all only straight ones.

I have my main winch on the front and a second smaller one for the rear that can be used at times but at very rare time it has been over 5 yrs now, almost a waste of money for me.
A plate mounted winch would still be used for only straight pulls. If I need to pull sideways I'd use a tackle block or such and an anchor point. That is the correct way to pull sideways even with a front mounted winch ... right?

Also, I do not want a winch sitting on the bumper exposed to the elements all year long. I had one before and this Arizona heat played hell on all the electrical parts.

But, I'll take your suggestion to heart and keep it mind. Thanks for the feedback.
Old 07-21-2016, 02:56 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
shooptube's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Southgate, Michigan
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 I6
Default

I'm running the dirtbound Mojave Front and I love it. Got it for $220 by geting the DIY version. Max and his crew at dirtbound are an amazing group of guys.

Front Bumper Upgrade-forumrunner_20160721_155559.png
Old 07-21-2016, 06:57 PM
  #7  
Seasoned Member
 
Constantine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Louisiana
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

I'm not sure if rigidco is still in business but I dig their bumpers.
http://www.rigidco.com/products.htm
Old 07-22-2016, 04:59 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Yeah a plate mount winch sounds handy but in the real world is kinda worthless.A front mounted winch is all most people will ever need.Watch this video
Old 07-22-2016, 12:25 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Reble
A plate mounted winch would still be used for only straight pulls. If I need to pull sideways I'd use a tackle block or such and an anchor point. That is the correct way to pull sideways even with a front mounted winch ... right?

Also, I do not want a winch sitting on the bumper exposed to the elements all year long. I had one before and this Arizona heat played hell on all the electrical parts.

But, I'll take your suggestion to heart and keep it mind. Thanks for the feedback.

Even using ****** blocks it's very uncommon to have a straight pull in recovery work. I had wrecker services in CO. for a number of yrs. and specialized in mountain recovery, so have made a few of them as have other members and Mods on here have,


As for the winch being exposed I have them on 4 trailers and my Jeep all different brands and sizes. I solved this problem yrs. ago using a business customer of ours that makes tents. He has made covers for every one of them just take it in and he measures the winch and how its mounted then custom makes one (they make large tents and rent them out all over the country). The last one for the Jeep cost me $25 off of his bill they did it while I waited about 25 min.


I would guess a boat cover place would do one also.

Originally Posted by andrewmp6
Yeah a plate mount winch sounds handy but in the real world is kinda worthless.A front mounted winch is all most people will ever need.Watch this video
Reverse Winch - It Works! - YouTube

Had saw that before on you tube I watch all his stuff.

Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; 07-22-2016 at 12:28 PM.
Old 07-22-2016, 02:02 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Jeepin'_Aint_EZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ocean County, NJ
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

...as long as there are places to mount light bars, who needs a winch.....
Old 07-22-2016, 02:57 PM
  #11  
Member
 
Jacobus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by andrewmp6
Yeah a plate mount winch sounds handy but in the real world is kinda worthless.A front mounted winch is all most people will ever need.Watch this video
Reverse Winch - It Works! - YouTube
I lived in Arizona for several years and I don't think this method will be possible for him in alot of the desert/mountains I went.

Last edited by Jacobus; 07-22-2016 at 03:00 PM.
Old 07-22-2016, 07:55 PM
  #12  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Reble's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Jacobus
I lived in Arizona for several years and I don't think this method will be possible for him in alot of the desert/mountains I went.
correct, not a lot of trees where I wheel ...




Old 07-22-2016, 10:02 PM
  #13  
Member
 
Jacobus's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I like the JCR, thats the one I'm getting.
Old 07-23-2016, 01:47 AM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Use a land anchor or pull strap throught your spare tire buried deep.Or i have seen guys in the middle east fill a bag of sand tie a pull strap to it buried and tied the end of the strap to a wheel to use it as a winch.Or don't wheel alone and let your friend pull you out or use their rig as a pulling point if you have to.Theres always a way if you think hard and carry enough recovery gear to get yourself out of touble.
Old 07-23-2016, 02:09 AM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Name:  spare%20tire%20anchor_zpsnzegspvo.jpg
Views: 431
Size:  101.3 KB


Quick Reply: Front Bumper Upgrade



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:34 PM.