Recessed winch bumper build
 

I had previously installed the JCR Unibody tie in plates which I am very happy with and which should allow me to run a decent quality bumper that will bolt on in the stock location yet be much stronger without having to pull the steering box any time I need to pull the bumper.
Here's the JCR tie in plates
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Whipped up some new bumper brackets from 1/4" plate 5" high 8" long drilled accordingly
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Used a universal winch mounting channel as I had it sitting around, welded up about 30 extra holes in it and trimmed the edges down to fit up to the 5" high side plates
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Approach angle with the new bumper
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I am waiting on my D ring mounts to fit them in, then it will all get welded up and I am planning on some tube work for side protection and a small stinger type bar in front and then of course mount up the winch and trim the front crossmember when I get the money together.

where will the winch go? I think I'm a bit confused... will it go behind the plate?

Yes it'll be mounted feet forward behind the bumper, similar to the ORS stubby bumper. It will require trimming out of the front crossmember.

Any fender protection plans? Poat some pics with it off whhen you go paint it.have you clearenced a winch in thier ?

Yes I'm going to bend up a hoop and some side protection. Waiting on my d ring mounts to get here, then it will all get welded up and I can start bending up the other pieces. I will definitely post up more in the next few days, hope to get it all finished this weekend.

You need to weld your brackets to the frame plates, 3 bolts per side is not enough for a hard tug or winching. The frame plates maybe strong but aren't affiliated with you bumper mounts.

No the advantage of using the JCR plates is that the bumper plates bolt through them essentially tieing it all together as one but you can still remove your bumper without having to drop the steering box. It is the same system JCR and a few others use on their winch bumpers. With the JCR plates in place my bumper will be bolting to metal about 1/2" thick. With the bumper plates I will be about 3/4" thick there so yes the frame plates are affiliated with my bumper mounts.

how big of a winch are you planning on putting in there?

Standard 8 or 9k lb non integrated solenoid style like the Ramsey, Harbor Freight, Engo, Tabor, Warn Mseries, etc...

Sheering 6 bolts is way easier than 12 or 14...

The problem with bumpers mounting on XJs is not the strength of the 6 bolts, it's what they bolt to without any reinforcement there, thin sheet metal which rips out. This has been taken care of. All the CJ, YJ, and TJ winch plates I have used bolt on with 4 or 6 bolts and have no issue. If you are worried about 6 bolts shearing take a look at what holds your hook to the end of your winch cable....

Okay dug out the bender and started playing around
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Bent up a small stinger
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I also started the extensions that will go in front of the fenders but didn't get pics of them in place
My d ring mounts showed up at 5pm so after the kids went to bed I snuck out to fit them in and start welding it all together, who cares if its 19 degrees and snowing there's jeep work to be done, I just finished up a few minutes ago
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Tacked in place
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The d ring mounts will be fully perimeter welded and plug welded through the mounting plates
Mostly welded up
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That's where it sits for tonight, I didn't want to piss off my neighbors too much by grinding this late. Hopefully after I finish shovelling this snow tomorrow I can get my tube work welded on and paint this thing up and mount it up. I might have a line on a super cheap winch too.

Good job ive got to get motivated to do mine.

Finished the welding and got the hoop welded on too. Attempting to paint it but its only 16 out right now so I'm not sure how it'll come out. I'm going to add some fender protection and supports to the hoop but that can wait a little bit and I still need a winch.
Attachment 330714

I've never heard it put that way. Good point.

Bumper looks good, btw.