JMac202

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with JCR for my bumpers. Thing is I'm trying to decide the winch pre runner bumper or the Reg. Pre Runner bumper with the front hitch mount.

I dont do any hard core wheeling. Im mainly thinking a winch would be handy out hunting, around the house etc.

I think being able to move the winch from front to rear would be the most beneficial if I got stuck. Plus it saves me a few bucks. Plus it wouldnt be exposed to the elements or risk being stolen.

Any pros or cons to this? Is it more ideal or should I just get a winch bumper? I know I'd have to get an extra wiring kit for it to run to the front and rear.

Also might have to upgrade the battery. I have an Optima Red Top now. I'm gonna snag their rear bumper as well when I order.

Any opinions?

Xj88

Look at l&l fab, he is a vendor on here, hr has a sick looking pre runner winch bumper shipped to your door for under 400, looks better than jcr in my opinion

JMac202

I was seriously considering him but I dont wanna wait and I dont like how thick the bumper looks from the front. For the money though he makes the best bumper. I will give him that.

Personally the bumper I really want is the Trail Ready bumper.


I'm not out of my mind so I wont pay 1k+ for a bumper but I love how it looks.

Jeepineasy

You could get the reg one the get the hitch witch mount and use it that way

JMac202

That's what Im planning on doing. Trying to find out any drawbacks to it over a regular winch bumper.

mr white

Drawbacks of hitch mount winch:
1. Winch and mount can weigh 100lbs. If you are a lightweight, you might not be able to muscle it around in the even you are stuck.

Pros:
1. Harder to steal assuming you keep it inside and under cover
2. Doesn't get dirty
3. front or back winching capability.


Check out hudfab bumpers in the vendor section. He is boss and so are his bumpers. Plus it would save you a little money.

wiggles

I have a nates4x4 slimline winch bumper, it was $510 to my door as is mega beef! I have a 12.5k tuff stuff winch on it that was $285. You should look into it.

Cons of hitch mount... You have to pull straight otherwise you will damage the hitch and winch cradle.
A hitch isn't as strong as a bumper because of how it mounts, my bumper has like 12 bolts to the "frame" 2 of witch are 3/4" bolts
Also, when you get stuck you don't always have access to the front and or rear to put the winch on.
You should never wheel alone so needing to put the winch on the back shouldnt matter, and you can use a front mounted winch to go in reverse anyway with the right process

wiggles

Nates4x4 slimline winch bumper, without and with winch

AoA

first JCR pre-runner bumper



Gee Oh Dee's new Crusader Bumper

JMac202

Even if the hitch is welded into the bumper and the bumper is installed with unibody tie in brackets?

I didn't think about only being able to winch straight. That needs to be seriously considered.

wiggles

A regular hitch mounts different then a bumper. Normal hitch bolts to the bottom of the frame instead of bolting to the sides. A bumper with a hitch in it is a lot better then just a hitch but then you still have that weak point of the single tube running from the cradle to bumper so winching sideways is still not the best.
The best option for a winch is a winch bumper but its up to you on how much you want to spend and what your looking for.
The best options are the bumpers and not the normal hitch and at that point they don't cost all that much different
Just look around the internet at all that are offered for the xj, you have like 10 manufacturers to choose from

MallCrawlXJ

Check out the bumper link in my sig. I also do custom work.

I love that trailready bumper!...sooooo clean

junior3382

I really like the looks of the bumpers from LMP... have mo\ine on the way... I ordered this one.... if it helps...





http://logansmetals4x4.com/id9.html


I know that on here, they have a bad rep from guys who have not had the best experience, but if you look at the dates of the posts, they are more then two years ago... and I have had no issues with them communicating since then..... and they are pretty cheap comparatively. IMO

JMac202

I like the Trail Ready bumper because of the guard and how it spans all the way across the bumper and as tall as the hood and offers the corners some protection. It would be handy for me while hunting because I see deer all the time and have had some close calls. Haven't hit one yet but who knows when my luck will run out.

Jarrett

I have this JCR crusader winch bumper. It's held up pretty well to the abuse i give my jeep and all the winching i've done. http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/mercha...t_Code=XJ-F-WN
There's two pictures of my jeep up on this page also.