I could easily make it happen... the trick is to make it happen correctly.

I can butt weld some D-ring tabs to the front face of the winch mount all day long but I don't think that'd be the safe way to do it.

 

Found it!
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/d...02/index3.html
Some others for ideas and stuff.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/t...build-1157408/
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/s...lates-1125870/

 

Your first link there wouldn't work for me since I want to be able to reuse the OEM bumper brackets. The D-Ring tab would be in the way.

The second link is pretty dang cool but what I have in mind is way simpler. I'd have the fairlead mount to the outside of the bumper instead of inside the bumper. Ideally, a HAWSE fairlead. There's no way I could manufacture that and keep the price reasonable.

I'd like to know how he remounted the OEM bumper.

 

I would buy this in a heartbeat if you built it.. I have been looking at doing the exact same thing, but don't have the equipment for it right now. I plan to eventually, but I'd rather have a winch sooner than later.

as for d rings, I personally don't need them.. I've already got an IRO front recovery setup installed with d ring mounts on that.

here's a pic to show how that sits in relation to the oem crossmember.. should be able to clear a winch mounted in the same spot


edit because I forgot to post pic.. derp

 

My guess would be that he just smashed the D ring brackets in between the unibody and the bumper brackets. The tow hook I have is off a 1992, which wouldn't bolt right up to my 2001, I had to shave the part that bolts to the bumper on off the tow hook bracket and use my factory bumper bracket with it. I ended up sandwiching the tow hook bracket in between the unibody and bumper bracket.

I don't know exactly what you had in mind for your winch system but that's what I'd think would be the way to do it. I can try to get a pic of mine tomorrow

 

Right, the winch mount will be sandwiched between the unibody and the bumper bracket. I don't think I could get away with the mount, tow hook bracket, and the bumper bracket.

 

OEM brackets would go on the outside, would just have to elongate the 4 holes top and bottom on the bumper.

 

Gotcha, what if you welded your own tow hook bracket to the mount though? The mount would tie it in to the unibody

Just trying to help you brainstorm here haha

 

I could do that but with the design I have in mind the tow point would have to be butt welded to the face of the mount. I'm not comfortable with that method. It'd at least need to pass through the face and be welded inside and out.

 

or you can do up something like the IRO setup I posted.. have the bracket attach to the sway bar mount points and hang the d-rings below the bumper just like the IRO recovery piece does. plenty strong, and easily accessible with the bumper cover in place

 

That's fine too if someone would want to add those on. I'm not making something that is bolted to some sway bar mount holes in single shear. That seems, to me, like a good way to rip the body apart and lose an eye... or a head.

 

Not sure if you're buying the brackets or have a connection to get them made, but why not incorporate a D ring mount straight out from the bracket, through the bumper that would need two other 1/4" pieces welded on each side to help hold the shackle better. Like what boost happy has for his.

 

Because I intend to cut the whole shebang on a CNC laser and have it bent into one piece. The part you're referring to would be made as part of the front of the mount.

I built my tube bumper using the method you're referring to.

Now, with some longer bolts and wider OEM bumper brackets I don't see why you couldn't use Boost Happy's brackets with the winch mount that I have in mind.

It'd be a ***** to line all the holes up when installing it all but it'd be doable.

 

Ah. Makes more sense. But what would you run your winch line to so you look cool having it clipped on a shackle??

How do you bend that? Score it and heat?

 

If it was all one piece that wouldn't be a problem would it?

Maybe it could be added, just hand down a bit lower and still be made from one piece?