Hello everyone. I started work on my front receiver and winch mount. I got the frame tie in brackets from nates 4x4. The receiver came from my dad's truck because the insurance company paid for a new one after a fender bender (even though it was fine). The winch plate came from harbor freight. Total cost so far: $90. It's still a work in progress. I plan on adding d ring tabs and also light tabs. I will also add "wings" on the sides to protect the corners of the jeep. Let me know what you think.
























I just threw a quick coat of primer on to keep it from rusting until next weekend.

 

I like the way that's coming out. Good idea using the receiver. Does the winch plate from HF seem stout enough? I think I'm going to use the receiver idea when I build my bumper. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

Looks great! I put a receiver in mine as well, I think it will be invaluable later on.

 

Thanks guys. The winch plate is only 1/8" steel but there is over 4 feet off weld holding it to the receiver and I'm considering adding some 1/4" plate as gussets as well. It's not going anywhere.

 

Looking good! Definitely add some front and rear gussets to the winch plate. Not hard at all to do. Look forward to seeing how this turns out.

 

Hey everyone. I finished the winch mount today. I pretty turned it into a bumper. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I have yet to drill the holes for the d rings. I am going to wait to do that until I buy a pair of them.

 

I will add more pictures when the weather is nicer as well.

 

fantastic job! Love the look for sure

 

Looks good. I like the receiver up front but I'd have to look into raising it up and moving it back some. Looks like a serious approach angle killer. Other than that, good job.

 

The receiver mounted underneath is how I got it, I cut up an old truck reciever. I don't think it makes the approach angle too bad, but if I keep hitting things with it, I will move it up and back.

 

As promised more pictures:

 

I guess it's not as bad as it looked in the other pictures.

Then again, I'm biased as I sold a bumper that stuck out about as far as yours and in the process of building a new bumper to improve my approach angle. I mounted the winch where the cross member was.

I'm not finished with it, obviously, but you get the point. It sticks out from the grille by about one inch. I don't have a profile view of it with me.



Then again, if you aren't climbing super steep rocks then you'll never know the difference.

Looks good. The hitch up front is very useful. I had one in my old bumper. I used to move boats all around the yard with it. Makes parking a boat in a tight spot super easy.

 

Mines not finished either but approach angle inspired

 

I did consider mounting the winch where the cross-member is, but i was hesitant to cut it up. I don't do any crazy hill climbs or rocks, so it shouldn't affect me. I wanted the front receiver for three reasons: 1) It was Free. 2) It will allow me to park my dad's camper into tight camping spaces much easier. 3) bullet-proof recovery point. To me, that outweighs the con of the less clearance. Regardless, it is better than the stock bumper. and if I so choose, I can simply cut off the receiver portion if I never use it.

On another note: Does anybody have a solution on what i can do with my front licence plate? I hate just having it zip-tied on to the grille.

 

Im so glad we here in Ga only need one license plate and don't have to use mudflaps