Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Factory steel bumper winch capable?

MacGuyver

MacGuyver

JK Addict
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Very happy with my latest upgrade to a 2015 Hard rock.

This is the first vehicle with a factory steel bumper, and I've been unable to find out what I have to do to put a winch on it. Googling has made it less clear. I haven't had a chance to pull the top plate off and look yet as it has been pretty cold here.

Has anyone put a winch on a JK factory steel bumper?
 
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MacGuyver said:
Very happy with my latest upgrade to a 2015 Hard rock.

This is the first vehicle with a factory steel bumper, and I've been unable to find out what I have to do to put a winch on it. Googling has made it less clear. I haven't had a chance to pull the top plate off and look yet as it has been pretty cold here.

Has anyone put a winch on a JK factory steel bumper?
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What sone of our Jeep brothers mentioned . The stock steel bumpers have a 3/16 or 1/4”, possibly thicker mounting plate that mounts on the either side of the frame As the stock steel bumpers are pretty thin .
The JL’s may have a thicker bumper . @Dirtydog can probably confirm with his new ride .
 
Speartip said:
What sone of our Jeep brothers mentioned . The stock steel bumpers have a 3/16 or 1/4”, possibly thicker mounting plate that mounts on the either side of the frame As the stock steel bumpers are pretty thin .
The JL’s may have a thicker bumper . @Dirtydog can probably confirm with his new ride .
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Makes sense that they are thin. I doubt car companies would be able to put ones similar to the aftermarket steel bumpers on and still pass safety requirements.

I think it will have to wait, just dropped a bunch on a new Alpine stereo to replace the awful 730N it came with.
 
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MacGuyver said:
Makes sense that they are thin. I doubt car companies would be able to put ones similar to the aftermarket steel bumpers on and still pass safety requirements.

I think it will have to wait, just dropped a bunch on a new Alpine stereo to replace the awful 730N it came with.
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I have the 75th anniversary bumper which is the same as your Hard rock. I found a few winch plates that were a bit more reasonably priced but will have to dig up the links... I haven't pulled the trigger yet, however.
 
There is one on Extreme Terrain that is a bit less, but still pretty expensive. I'd be very interested in a more reasonable one. Thanks!
 
MacGuyver said:
There is one on Extreme Terrain that is a bit less, but still pretty expensive. I'd be very interested in a more reasonable one. Thanks!
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Quadratec and XT both sell the Rugged Ridge for $241. I thought there was another out there but haven't found my bookmark yet. I'll keep looking...
 
Thanks. That is the one I have been eyeing. There are features on both that intrigue me. I wish the D-ring loops weren't so damn expensive on for the one from Rubitrex. I like that option.
 
RubiRecon said:
I went with the Mopar winch adapter kit, If I was to do it again I would go with the Mximus 3 kit.
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The more I look the more I lean that way. The plate is whatever, but the ability to add the d-ring loops, even with the price, has me leaning heavily toward Rubitrex. There doesn't seem to be anything that is similar, and of quality.
 
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MacGuyver said:
Very happy with my latest upgrade to a 2015 Hard rock.

This is the first vehicle with a factory steel bumper, and I've been unable to find out what I have to do to put a winch on it. Googling has made it less clear. I haven't had a chance to pull the top plate off and look yet as it has been pretty cold here.

Has anyone put a winch on a JK factory steel bumper?
Click to expand...

Tr y for a frane mount. They can pull off.
 
I added a winch plate to my factory bumper (Rockhard) that I picked up for a song off FB Marketplace - otherwise you could get a decent winch ready bumper for the price of just a plate, crazy.
 
Fistlaw said:
I went Rubitrux. My issue was that my HF 12k winch didn’t fit with out trimming the grille.
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I'm looking again. The weather is getting warmer up here and I can almost start on the Jeep again.

I appreciate you mentioning the issue you had. I pulled my Badlands 12k off my old jeep before selling and it spent the winter in the shed hanging out with the lawn mower. I would have been quite annoyed to spend the money they are asking and it not fitting perfectly.

So I guess what I'm looking for.. perfect world:
Winch plate for a Badlands 12k winch to go on/in a factory steel bumper. I would really like some d-ring points as I don't mind modifying the bumper and I only trust the hooks so far, but if I have to mess with the grill at all, it's a hard no. I'll sell the winch before I do that.

I'll continue to google for options as I have time and update this if I find something.
 
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