Rough Country Winch Plate Write-Up
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: SoCal/Montana
Rough Country Winch Plate Write-Up
Well, I received my Rough Country Winch Plate last week, and decided today was a good day to put it on. Let me start by saying that this thing is beefy! I have no doubt that this will hold up to anything you can throw at it. Also, I was surprised at how good the powder coating was; it was nice and even all around and it matched the factory bumper and fenders pretty well. Installation for the most part was easy and straight forward and can be done with basic tools. Also, the instructions that were include where great! Very detailed and lots of pictures. Makes it so ANYONE could install this. 
You’ll find a write up of the winch plate below:
Tools Required:
1. Phillips Screw Driver
2. 13/16” Socket
3. 7/8” Wrench
4. 9/16” Socket
5. 19mm Socket
6. 18mm Socket
7. 15mm Socket
8. ½” Drill Bit
9. Drill
10. Cutting Tool (Dremel would be best)
Installation:
1. Remove the front factory bumper and tow hooks. If you are unaware of how to do this, a great write-up by Piginajeep can be found here. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/factory-bumper-removal-2714/
2. After you have removed the factory bumper, place the front U shaped brackets into the same spot the factory tow hooks sit. Just sit the bumper with the brackets placed in to the side for a few minutes.
3. Find the driver side winch plate bracket, attach the bracket using the 9/16” x 1.5” bolt, washer, and nut right above the factory cross member as seen below in this picture.
4. If your Jeep does not have tow hook cutouts in the top of the bumper, it is necessary to cut access holes in the top of the bumper, as this is where the winch plate will attach to. This is very simple to do with a dremel.
5. With a dremel, simply cut out the recessed squares in the factory bumper, where the tow hooks would be placed.
6. Once you have the cutouts, it is now time to reinstall the bumper using the studs from the new U shaped bracket and the 12mm-1.75 nuts. Once you have tighten all (8) bolts you are nearly done.
7. Plug the fog light harness back up (if you have factory fogs).
8. With the factory bumper back in place, it should be very straight forward.
9. Rough Country recommends that you place something between the rear brackets and the grill to prevent scratching. I didn’t place anything there and had plenty of room, if you like to be on the safe side, slide a rag in between.
10. Place the winch plate on the top of the bumper and line up the holes
11. Using the supplied 3/8” x 1 ¼” bolts, washers, and locktight, tighten them using a 9/16” socket. Then using the 9/16” x 1 ½” bolts, washers tighten them with a 13/16” socket.
12. Your finished!
And yes, I know the bolts arent in all the way in this picture. Camera was dying and just needed to grab a few quick shots before it was completly screwed in. Gives you and Idea of what it will look like though.
You’ll find a write up of the winch plate below:Tools Required:
1. Phillips Screw Driver
2. 13/16” Socket
3. 7/8” Wrench
4. 9/16” Socket
5. 19mm Socket
6. 18mm Socket
7. 15mm Socket
8. ½” Drill Bit
9. Drill
10. Cutting Tool (Dremel would be best)
Installation:
1. Remove the front factory bumper and tow hooks. If you are unaware of how to do this, a great write-up by Piginajeep can be found here. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/factory-bumper-removal-2714/
2. After you have removed the factory bumper, place the front U shaped brackets into the same spot the factory tow hooks sit. Just sit the bumper with the brackets placed in to the side for a few minutes.
3. Find the driver side winch plate bracket, attach the bracket using the 9/16” x 1.5” bolt, washer, and nut right above the factory cross member as seen below in this picture.
4. If your Jeep does not have tow hook cutouts in the top of the bumper, it is necessary to cut access holes in the top of the bumper, as this is where the winch plate will attach to. This is very simple to do with a dremel.
5. With a dremel, simply cut out the recessed squares in the factory bumper, where the tow hooks would be placed.
6. Once you have the cutouts, it is now time to reinstall the bumper using the studs from the new U shaped bracket and the 12mm-1.75 nuts. Once you have tighten all (8) bolts you are nearly done.
7. Plug the fog light harness back up (if you have factory fogs).
8. With the factory bumper back in place, it should be very straight forward.
9. Rough Country recommends that you place something between the rear brackets and the grill to prevent scratching. I didn’t place anything there and had plenty of room, if you like to be on the safe side, slide a rag in between.
10. Place the winch plate on the top of the bumper and line up the holes
11. Using the supplied 3/8” x 1 ¼” bolts, washers, and locktight, tighten them using a 9/16” socket. Then using the 9/16” x 1 ½” bolts, washers tighten them with a 13/16” socket.
12. Your finished!
And yes, I know the bolts arent in all the way in this picture. Camera was dying and just needed to grab a few quick shots before it was completly screwed in. Gives you and Idea of what it will look like though.
Last edited by FunN4Lo; May 3, 2008 at 12:09 PM.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: SoCal/Montana