bertjnkns

I went the cheap route, Smittybilt winch, Harbor Freight plate, and my stock bumper.

Everything seems ok, except for the bolts on the winch have already began to rust after last nights rain. Thanks to everyone who posted the tips on installing one like this, your threads were very helpful.

Here are some photos from today.

rfrogman

Looks good!

My Smittybilt winch is sitting on the floor awaiting my harbor freight winch plate. Hopefully it will get here before this holiday weekend.

Robar

Looks good. I like the way you cut the bumper.

bertjnkns

Thanks. The bumper cutting was probably the worst part of the whole deal. It just takes patience, which I'm a little short on sometimes.

I un-spooled it and wound it back up and that's it so far. I went out to the farm and crossed a creek thinking I'd need it. After all the rain my crossing has washed out pretty bad. Last time we were out there I almost didn't make it back across. Well, today it was dry, still needed to have it in 4wd to make it but it crawled right through it.

I need to get a snatch block and some place to hook to on my bumper, I don't have the tow hooks on front, so no place to hook to until then.

mcnaught6

would you post some close up pics of your cuts around the plate and winch, please?

nice job! looks great!

what did you use to make your cuts? utility knife? sawzall? did you do anything (or even need to do anything) to smooth up the edges of the cuts?

VBS4

Great job! I'm glad you found Redrocks thread helpful. He did a great job explaining it so I added my pic.s to help people along.

For others that want the write-up:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/superwinch-epi9-0-mounted-factory-bumper-12716/

Oh and I never posted this, but instead of using the sawsall, I used my jig-saw for the plastic bumper. I taped it off first so not to scratch the plastic.

bertjnkns

Thanks. Sure, I'll get some close up pics but they don't look as good as Redrocks and VBS4's. He's right, tape before you cut, and I think a jigsaw would have been easier to handle although I used a reciprocating saw.

You can cut through the plastic with a utility knife if you make multiple cuts, but the thickness of the plastic varies and some spots are tough. I did go back and clean up my cuts with the utility knife.

I'll try some in a little while and if they are too dark I'll take some tomorrow.

bertjnkns

Here are some close up shots, i wasn't as careful as i could have been, and I could stand to whittle a little more off.

Bamoman

nice job....looks good