preinstall photos of smittybilt bumpers (need some help)
12-23-2012, 04:35 AM
#1
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: naples, florida
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
preinstall photos of smittybilt bumpers (need some help)
I need photos or an explanation on what the back side of a couple front bumpers look like. I'm looking at the smittybilt Multi Optional Design (M.O.D.) system- XRC M.O.D. , as well as the Smittybilt XRC front bumper. I have a little problem. I removed my stock plactic front bumper and chopped the metal insert into a stubby. It looks good and I have been running it for a few years now. Problem is that I installed a winch. I didnt want the winch to sit on top of the frame rails so I fabricated a winch plate out of steel, chopped off the compatibility bar beneath the frame rails and welded the winch plate to the bottom of the frame. It works great and the winch is hidden inside the bumper. The roller guides are ceentered on the bumper both vertically and horizontally. What I need to know is if my winch plate will be compatable with with either of the two bumpers mentoned above. I know they are hidden winch bumpers, so I'm affraid that if their winch plate is welded inside the bumper it will hit the winch plate I have already installed. I don't want to remove my winch plate if I don't have to. I appreciate any help or insight that you all my be able to lend me.
12-23-2012, 05:01 AM
#2
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Abilene
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the mod on my 12' JKU. The bumper comes with a recessed winch plate already welded to the bumper. It looks nice. I would think you would have to cut your winch plate off to accommodate the mod bumper.
12-24-2012, 04:09 AM
#3
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: naples, florida
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. I feared as much. Do you think it would be easy to cut the out the integral winch plate welded into the bumper? I knid of figure thats more along the lines of what I am going to have to end up doing? Does anyone have photos of the back of these bumpers? I really don't want to end up with buyers remorse. I'm affraid no matter which direction I go, I'm going to have to take a leap of faith, and I'll be modifying my new bumber in order to get it to fit.
12-24-2012, 04:29 AM
#4
JK Super Freak
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Keystone Heights
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I too have the mod bumper and you will have tow issues. First being the winch plate which i would not reccomend removing as it is intregal to the bumper design and holds the winch at the correct position to have the fairing in the center of the smitty bumper. Second the bumper actually mounts to the lower crash bar that you removed. You would need to reinstall that to mount the bumper properly. Without this triangulation the bumper may under a heavy winch load.