Was interested in what others had done when researching how to mount this; here is how I did it for reference. Was trying to make it as high and tight as possible.

Plate is 1/4" by 27.5" wide, with 3 bends that are the following dimensions:





Brackets and supports are scrap; for fairlead some 1/4" angle, supports under the winch anchor are 1/8" I think. Cut off factory bumper brackets and attached to outside edge for bumper.

Have about $100 in it (as we always ask), including plate, labor for bends, 1/2" drill bit, some additional bolts. Had some trouble getting the tow hook back in with 1/4" less space between the frame and spring hanger bolt.

Because it is so tight, bezel is trimmed to fit, and fairlead mounting bolts are tacked from behind as there is no room for a wrench.

Overall I am pretty pleased, have not had a chance to use it other than to confirm the connections. 7" of extension with the plate puts the bumper 5" or so further than factory. Doesn't really seem to stick out any more than a late 3rd gen bumper. There is also an inch or so trimmed from fender to remove rust, which sort of realigns the edges. I would guess if you didn't know it wasn't correct, you wouldn't notice. Also that is a Smittybuilt winch; confirm your winch dimensions first.

pics:

 

Wow, that's a pretty sweet adaption using the OEM front bumper!

 

Nice work! That looks great.

 

Awesome work.

I think it looks good.

 

It does look surprisingly good. Best part of this is the fact you don't have to cut the stupid plastic bumper caps to clear tires.

 

I think it looks excellent. Nice work man.

 

Dig it!

 

thanks for the kind words everybody. Here's hoping it works great too!

 

very nice work

 

Taking orders yet??????hehe

 

I'm impressed.
Wanna make another one? Except without the front mounting tabs for the stock bumper?

 

I am wondering what it would look like with a hawse instead of the roller.

 

Unless you stiffen it some more it will bend from anything other than a straigh on pull.

:wabbit2:

 

probably like a stock bumper with a hawse on the front lol.
i still need to figure out a new bumper mount for my pile, i have a whole beefage bumper made of 3/16ths sitting in my shop :/

 

Ok, What more am I needing here? Would 2 more supports underneath do the trick? do they need to be 1/4"? I welcome the input.

Edit: thinking about side pulling, would those on the bottom collapse... are you talking about boxing it in on the bottom?

 

did you extend the front bumper out? looks good. any pictures of it mounted without bumper

 

That looks awesome actually! Creative idea, but Idk how well that's gunna stand up to a couple good hits. Is this just a temporary thing?

 

Have this one, would have to get pics of the mounting points themselves.




It was the quickest, cheapest option as I saw it; if it survives through the summer, that will be great.

 

3rd picture. One that shows the vice clamps.

You have nothing bracing that bend from the backside. You start yanking on it from the an angle and it will bend out. Winching puts a TON of loading on the frame. Think overkill.

:wabbit2:

 

There are 2 bolt holes on each end there that would help that...a little. But I agree, you'll want to atleast add some more bolts in the middle under where the winch sits. Maybe weld a bracket(s) on top of the frame so you can get a bolt or 2 more towards the middle/top of it. Something like the stock bumper mount brackets were/are(?), except towards the middle of the frame more, and beefier. It's gonna wanna pull/bend the center out in a hurry if you don't. Even during a good hard straight pull I'd imagine, maybe more so. It's just not supported enough vertically in the middle, IMO.

Like this for example.


Or for some overkill factor.