I am probably going to get blasted for this but.. here goes.

I have no desire of getting a winch, never have, my GF hopes i never will. My current bumper is a winch bumper, the OLYMPIC 4x4 BOA three hoop. I like it, it does what i originally intede it to do, turn heads. It also keeps brush off my paint job (I got a black jeep and scratches show bad) when I want to turn around in a tight area. Any who, The bumper has a big empty spot between the frame rails. It looks bad, unfinished, and... usable. So here is my grand scheme:

I am going to get the winch mount from OLYMPIC 4x4 to fill in the hole. Additionally, I want to mount a metal Tool Box to the winch mount. Brilliant I know, it should just barely peak above the bumper, no problem. Has anyone seen this, or better yet have pictures, tips on a particular brand of tool box that works best?

I figure I can either bolt it in using the winch mount bolts and some proper hole placement. Or, I can make a craddle, for it and black bungee cord it.

It will be nice getting all the tools I carry in the Jeep out of the back and into a purpose built spot.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I'm running the same bumper/winch plate and a smittybuilt winch...you could bolt anything you wanted to to that winch plate. You're only real limiting factor will be depth (amount of room between bumper and grill) and height (blocking airflow to the radiator). It goes without saying, but you're definitely going to want a weather-sealed toolbox, cuz it's gonna get beat up with everything you drive through.

Doesnt seem like a bad idea to me though!!

-Adam

 

Try to find an old ammo box at a army surplus store.

 

I have the Rugged Ridge bumper with the storage ends and find them very conveinient. I can see the benefit in what you are looking to do. I have a winch as well, but have only used it for others because this Jeep never sees trails only beach. I equate it to jumper cables. 99% of the time they are to help someone else.

 

The tool box I am looking at is the Craftsman 20" Metal Hand Box. It is about the same size as a winch, and only $35. I'll also look at yard sales, and goodwill/thrift stores (by-the-way, great place to pick up tools, you can find some good deals, cause the people selling don't know what they have). The dimensions I'm looking at are 9"x21"x8".

Good point about the weather proofing, shouldnt be too bad. I'll probably rhino-line, or herculine the outside, rubber grommets on all holes, etc.

 

I know this is an old thread but, did anyone ever end up mounting anything where a winch would have gone?