So i just installed my new Q9500i winch on my Rampage front stubby on my rubicon. The problem I ran into is the fact that the winch plate is countersunk so it will sit flush with the bumper and the bolts that came with them winch are hex head, and if i installed them the winch plate would not sit flush with the bumper once it was installed. I read a few different posts saying that you could drill the bumper or put washers between the winch plate and bumper, but I was trying to install it like it was supposed to be done. I went to a few hardware stores to look for countersunk bolts that were the same M10 metric 10.9 bolts that came with my winch. The closest thing I could find were 3/16 Zinc plated bolts from Taylor's Do it. They mounted nicely, and even tho the nuts were slightly smaller the still fit in the winch without spinning. Winch is mounted up and everything looks great, I'm just kinda scared when I go to use it that those bolts might not hold up? Wondering what everyone thinks and if anyone has had this experience before.

Thanks,

Alex

 

I can't say for sure, but I would be nervous if they were not grade 5 or 8. If they are hardware grade they could shear. Look someplace like a Grainger of a catalog supply like McMaster-Carr for what you need. What you have could hold for a while but might fail if you out a heavy load on them. Jus finished installing the same winch a few minutes ago on an XRC MOD and the supplied bolts worked fine.

 

I agree. If you don't have hardened bolts you're asking for trouble.