If you don't fully tie the bumpers in using a winch can pull the bumper off the jeep.If your going to build your own i would look at a few diy kits like jcr and dirtbound offroad offer.You bend and weld it up all the hard work is done for you.

 

I am using all 8 bolts on each side in the rear as well as all 8 in the front not just the factory bumper mounting locations. My rear mounts are 2x4x3/16 tubing. The front are 3/16 sheet tie-ins and I sleeved the front frame rails.

I debated the JCR DIY kits. I like them and they are pretty easy to put together. I welded a rear for my brothers GC. I just decided to start from scratch, since I already had the steel.


I just didn't know if there was something I needed to be aware, of beyond this, specific to XJ's and hitch mounts.

 

With a good front bumper/winch combo there is no need for a receiver at all even in the rear if you use ****** blocks and rigging.


A winch mounted on the receiver sticks out to far for even a slight side pull or anything other than a straight pull. That happens very few times when your stuck.


Besides the fact of trying to mount them if its full of mud/ice/or your buried up past the receiver. Nothing takes the place of a good winch bumper with D-Ring recovery points to hook back into.

 

oh thats nuts..

 

abodyjoe https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/do...ts-inc-207300/

 

Oh ****. When did Rustys come out with that? I like it. Hidden winch is the way to go. I dislike the way most winch bumpers look on an XJ.

 

I've got to admit that is one of the ugliest bumpers ive seen on an xj.

 

I've seen that one and never liked it but I hadn't seen this pic with the hoop. Maybe it's the different angle that makes it look so different?

 

Yeah that ones a lot better.

 

But I think it's the same bumper just with a hoop. Camera angle is key I guess.

 

The "Hidden Winches" are a real PITA when it comes to trying to rewind the cable on the spool as it has to be wound straight on the spool under load. I have been doing this since the mid 70's on tow trucks usually in parking lots late at night with emergency brake on and cable hooked to a lite pole winching and using a 2x4 to guide the cable, still use a 2x4 with the Jeep.


How do you do this with a hidden winch, or do you just let the cable pile up on the spool? I guess if its a Mall Crawler it makes little difference as it would be for looks only.


My Rustys $50 winch bumper I bought off of from craigslist was a good buy but I did do some extra work to it.

 

That's a good point but depending on how the winch mounts you probably could guide it from under the bumper. A synthetic line would probably make it easier too.

 

I built my bumper around the hitch receiver boxed it in so far its done great its mounted so its the furthest forward point just like the rear one is.

 

THANK YOU !!!