I researched looking for a hidden winch mount as I didn't want a winch sticking out front on a big bumper. find one that I liked so I set out to do my own.
I had to cutout most of the front cross member to fit the winch under the grill/radiator. Used a cut down Harbor freight winch moun as a base and welded mounts to it. It is secured in 19 (!) locations to the original bumper mounts, steering box bolts, swaybar mounts and to the factory tow points near the springs.

 

Here it is before I bolted it in. The arrow points to a steering box brace. I used a modified, heavy duty exhaust clamp to secure it. You can see most of the attach points here also. The shackle attach to an area that is 3/4" thick.

 

So.... You taking orders on these?

 

Looking from the bottom up, this is how the steering brace is attached.

 

I have been extremely happy with the results! The whole front of the Jeep is much stiffer, steering box is braced from the plate on the outside of the frame as well as the clamp on the sector shaft area. Attaching it to 19 places is probably over kill, but there is no way this thing will tweek my unibody! It did take some rerouting of the transmission cooler lines and some careful routing of winch power cables, but it is well worth it. I will be moving the control box under hood soon to protect it.

 

I have been considering marketing them. I there is enough interest I will. Pm me if your seriously interested.

 

Does it significantly alter your approach angle? Or is about the same as all these bumpers on the market?

 

I am, I just spent money on a bumper I'm not too excited about because I wanted a hidden winch.






Please excuse how messy my shop was at that time

 

The mount itself actually improve the approach angle. It all depends on what bumper you put in front of it.

 

I've been contemplating this exact thing since I got my jeep, I just lacked materials, experience, useable design, and funds lol.
I wanted a hidden winch that would pull out from behind the license plate on a stock bumper. Like flip down the license plate and pull out the cable.
The steering brace is an awesome addition too.

 

What size winch do you have for it? I imagine the bigger the winch the less likely it'll fit under there.

 

It's got an 8,000 lb smittybilt winch that's a tight fit, but works. My buddies has an 8k Ramsey. Anything bigger would be problematic. Idk if you could make it work with a bigger winch, probably lower the winch plate a bit during construction.

 

Except for the shackle mounts, it looks as tho it would fit behind the stock, or most any other, bumper. The fairlead mount is flush with the grille so hiding it would work. As I ramp up to make these, just let me know if you want the shackle mounts or not. You could also slot the bumper to slide them through.

 

More pics.
This is approximately how much I needed to cut out of the front cross member.
After cut. May need more or less for different winches. I ended up trimming the top a little more. Note the tranny lines you'll have to route carefully.
Clutch handle still hit so I had to rotate the gear box for clearance.
Now it fits!
Top down view. It's flush with grill when reinstalled.

 

Completed unit.
Drivers side mounting. Note that all the steering box bolts go thru the 1/4 mounting plate. And the mount extends back to the factory tow hook locations. This makes for a VERY strong attachment point!
Passenger side.
Driver corner. Note that I used every attachment point that I could. With the Cherokee being unibody, it's very important to distribute the load as much as possible.
Passenger corner.