So as i posted earlier, I picked up a Badland 9k winch at HF with a coupon for $249. I also picked up a Smittybilt winch plate to mount it to the factory bumper. The winch seems to be as good as any offshore brand. Quiet, fast enough, and looks decent.

The winch plate on the other hand was a pain in the ass. It will do the job, and looks fine but not all the holes lined up and the bolts that mount it to the frame are nearly impossible to get to.

Here you can see the mount and winch before the bumper is reinstalled.



The lower two bolts that hold the plate to the frame have no access to the back side to hold the nut, so I had to go to the parts store and get some extra long needle nose pliars to position the nut from above. Install the lower one first, because you wont be able to access it from above after the upper bolt is installed.



Here youcan see the holes for the factory bumper bolts do not line up so I had to hog them out with a file.



You have to cut two lines in the bumper to slide the bumper back on. I cut them a little wider than needed to make sure it would slide on easily. These cuts will be covered by the plate.
Heres a few shots of the finished product.









The instructions say to assemble the plate then slide it between the frame rails, but I couldnt figure out how that would be possible, so I installed the side plates, then the top.
All in all the plate seems pretty stout, but I am not impressed with the instructions or the fit. I hate having to modify something that should bolt right up. Lets hope the winch is as good as my initial impression. I will report back on that.
I cant really complain about getting a 9k winch and mount for $400.

 

Looks good man! Congrats

 

Thanks! Next will be the stubby bumper mod.

 

I know this thread is old but how did the winch end up working out