RH447

Decided to remove the four bolts that hold the front bumper cover on. Yesterday I installed four 275/70/18 Wildpeak AT3 on my jk with out spacers or a lift. I had some rubbing I found out at full lock on the airdam. Removed it along with the bumper cover to show them off. 😁

Rednroll

Where are your front tow hooks?

karls10jk

Front recovery points weren't always standard, I'm not sure if they were or not in 09.

RH447

Unfortunately it came stock without them. I plan on cutting the crush cans off, and doing a c-channel mount. Then I can throw a winch plate etc on there all while saving some dough 😁

Rednroll

I originally looked at that when I was looking to mount my front winch. I came to the conclusion, it was easier and cost about the same to just purchase an inexpensive replacement winch mountable front bumper or find a take off winch ready bumper on Craigslist. I lucked out because I found an AEV front take off bumper on Craigslist for $250. I still needed to purchase the winch mounting plate, skid plate, do some minor paint touch up and purchase some missing pieces such as crush can covers which brought my total out of pocket cost up to around $500 but was still well worth it. Made in China front winch mount bumpers can be found between $300-$500 and I think I would rather go that route than trying to mess around with mounting a winch into the front stock bumper.

This is my Craigslist $500 AEV front winch bumper setup with winch.

RH447

Dang man, that looks like a great find! I've got all the tools - welder, compressor with air grinder etc... just wanna do something my own style. Although I like that AEV setup you snagged looks good man 👍🏻

resharp001

If you're going to keep that factory bumper, I'd rather throw the cover back on, chop the ends of the entire bumper/cover off creating a stubby (for clearance), add the end caps that Rugged Ridge or whoever makes, then throw winch plate/winch on it. Having said that, I also agree with Rednroll that you can get an aftermarket bumper that is winch ready on CL for pretty cheap and less effort, and if you ever upgrade it later, you can probably recoupe almost all the cost you have in it....vs. putting any money in to a factory bumper that will likely not bring the same return down the road.

karls10jk

Craigslist up near DC or south to Richmond is a gold mine.

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...633113553.html

There's an ARB stubby in Richmond (I'd like to buy it for some odd reason) and also a full width AEV without the hoop in EC, NC for $300. Both have been online for a long while so the prices are probably flexible.

resharp001

Dang, $160 for Warn stubby and call it a day! Spend practically that just for dang winch plate for the factory bumper.

Rednroll

Damn you're right! I just did a quick search on CL in your area. A GenRight Aluminum bumper is being sold for $100.
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/pts...656985617.html