Adding a winch to the plastic front bumper?

[Backwoodsraider]

Yeah, that grill took them a lot of effort. There was a ton of engineering that went into the AIR FLOW and cooling for the towing abilities on these.
Read this and you'll see the grill size is a big deal on the JT -

https://jalopnik.com/the-engineering-behind-the-jeep-gladiators-tow-rating-1833657453

Perfect. Thats what i like to see, statements backed up by facts

Reading that, all this is to get to the max rating for towing. But as soon as you add larger tires (like who isnt going to add larger tires, right?) you loose the max to rating anyway. Looks like they were getting 6k rating prior to all the improvements. So my whinch bumper, with the winch sitting up higher will decrease the cooling for the tow rating up to 1000 pounds. With this engine, probably wouldnt tow more then 4k anyway. so i should be good with my plan.

@ShadowsPapa and the rest, thanks for digging for the information, appreciate it

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[Troybilt]

Well the wifi is back up. The bull horns where to make the wife lady crazy. They worked.

 

[Jonny55]

If I was going off roading, I would want a steel bumper before a winch? There are many options besides the overpriced Mopar steel version that can offer more protection to the front of your truck.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Fab Fours certainly isn’t my favorite design, but Quadratec has their front stubby bumper for $379. Then they have a $200 rebate, so it’s really $179 with free shipping. Still a little too high, too, but an option.

https://www.quadratec.com/special_offers/fab-fours-jeep-parts-200-rebate

 

[MarineHawk]

Fab Fours certainly isn’t my favorite design, but Quadratec has their front stubby bumper for $379. Then they have a $200 rebate, so it’s really $179 with free shipping. Still a little too high, too, but an option.

https://www.quadratec.com/special_offers/fab-fours-jeep-parts-200-rebate

It looks like the Quadratec Stealth winch sits a bit lower in the Quadratec steel front bumper:

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/qrc-front-winch-ready-bumper-jeep-wrangler-jl-gladiator-jt/full-width-12000-lb-synthetic

 

[Troybilt]

Fab Fours certainly isn’t my favorite design, but Quadratec has their front stubby bumper for $379. Then they have a $200 rebate, so it’s really $179 with free shipping. Still a little too high, too, but an option.

https://www.quadratec.com/special_offers/fab-fours-jeep-parts-200-rebate

I am hesitant to believe this pricing. There are items on the list that are priced under $200.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Fab Fours certainly isn’t my favorite design, but Quadratec has their front stubby bumper for $379. Then they have a $200 rebate, so it’s really $179 with free shipping. Still a little too high, too, but an option.

https://www.quadratec.com/special_offers/fab-fours-jeep-parts-200-rebate

Wow that thing looks like it's ready for the military - outfitted for battle for sure.

 

[Slapping_Rabbits]

If you do it right the winch plate is the only thing under any amount of stress. I pulled many of trees out of the woods with my JK setup.

Wait... explain this? I thought the winch plate was on the flow hooks somehow and they were adding support?

 

[Troybilt]

Do it the right way from the get go
Mopar steel bumper $800 and warn winche
Plate $250

Looks like your right way and mine are way different

 

[alM]

View attachment 48868

View attachment 48872

 

[Backwoodsraider]

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Are you sure it's supposed to be on top of the plastic bumper? Looks like big gap between it and frame

 

[alM]

Are you sure it's supposed to be on top of the plastic bumper? Looks like big gap between it and frame

it actually is engaged with the tow hooks and support by the two post below and attached to the frame by mounts at the rear of the plate. If you watch ROCkHARD 4x4 video on installation you will get an idea of how it is engaged with not the bumper but the actual frame. It does not really even touch the bumper. It is supported above it by a very small amount. It’s marriage to the tow hooks is where it derives it’s strength and is engaged with the frame.

 

[alM]

it actually is engaged with the tow hooks and support by the two post below and attached to the frame by mounts at the rear of the plate. If you watch ROCkHARD 4x4 video on installation you will get an idea of how it is engaged with not the bumper but the actual frame. It does not really even touch the bumper. It is supported above it by a very small amount. It’s marriage to the tow hooks is where it derives it’s strength and is engaged with the frame.

I have admittedly taken this companies word that their design was worked out and tested. Just as anyone takes their winch plate companies word.
The plate has absolutely no play and is locked in place behind the tow hooks with two contact points right beneath the area it meets the tow hook is a steel post that supports it on the curve of the hook that is out of site below the bumper. You can see these post in my photo with the plate and winch upside down on my work table.

 

[alM]

Here is a close up

 

[alM]

I realize in reality the tow hooks are attached to the bumper which is attached to the frame by the 8 bolts which attach the bumper.
This may be viewed by some as not sufficient. But if the tow hooks are rated for the vehicle and could be attached otherwise to recover then why not in this circumstance.
I am not saying this my forever solution and may next spring upgrade the bumper and allow for lower winch placement.
I am just waiting for the firestorm here.

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