In5ane

Just wanted to see if anyone has mounted a winch to the stock bumper without the $280 plate that people sell?

Capndik

Check out this thread, there's apparently a winch plate for $65! It will just require a bit of cutting on the plastic bumper. As far as mounting a winch with no winch plate at all? I don't think it's possible.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...t=stock+bumper

In5ane

I see you are ordering one..please let me know how it looks when you get it on....and take detailed pics!

sharkbite

I bought the universal mounting plate from Harbor Freight for $29.00 and just had to do a little trimming to make it fit perfectly. Of course I mounted mine upside down, but it worked either way.

BlackNorthernJK

It is most definately NOT possible to mount a winch on the stock bumper without some kind of plate...and it should be a sturdy one at that...if you search the forum you will find many threads where it has been done with various plates...cheapest one being a Harbour Freight winch mount. Have a peak at some pics and you will see that with the stock bumper off you need to create some kind of platform with which to mount the winch between the end frame horns. There is another 'cheaper' mount that I used...the Olympic Winch mount (about 130.00)...it can be used to mount a winch while utilizing the stock bumper...however there is some pretty extreme cutting of both the plastic bumper shell and it's metal inner, plus with this mount you can no longer utilize the stock fog lights should you have them.
If your looking for the cheapest method, probably a custom fab'd plate, or the Harbour Freight one are your best bets to be utilizes with the stock bumper...just try to mount it as high as possible so you can minimize bumper cutting and fitment issues.

Capndik

I love the loom of that, but isn't it weird not being able to see the cable spooling? How do you know if it's going on evenly?

Also, is it a pain to switch it to free-spool? Seems like you would be feeling around under there...

tambil68

I will be selling my winch plate and modified front bumper very soon.
Read here https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ghlight=bumper

A winch SHOULD be mounted to a 1/4 plate that is securely mounted to the frame. A stock bumper will NOT withstand any forces applied to it with regard to winching.

capndik... Nice job on that bumper.

sharkbite

the switch to free spool is easy to reach, after you've done it once, you don't have to fumble around much to find it. The winch is actually as easy to use as the top mount on my old rig.

Capndik

I wish I could take credit for that job. I was just quoting Sharkbite. I think he's the one that deserves the credit.

Capndik

But you can't see the cable spooling. How do you know if it's pulling in correctly, and not overlapping all funny?