I was concerned about the grill not going back on too so I didn't bolt the winch plate in until after I put the grill back on. I wanted to be able to move the winch around and tilt it forward if necessary to re-install the grill. But my M8000 was low profile enough that it really wasn't necessary.

So if there's any doubt that the grill will go back on, just go by the instructions and rest the winch on the crash bar before putting the bumper on. It would probably be just as easy or easier than removing the grill. Just have a buddy to keep a hand on the winch to keep it from falling off the crash bar. That's the main reason I went with the grill removal route. I put it on by myself and didn't want to bump the winch and watch it hit the floor.

 

Yea it was just my winch. This is by far my favorite bumper I've ever seen. Great design.

 

Yeah same thing and it works just tight. So when you take off the grill (like I had to for my tranny cooler install) you simply pull the grill out of the tabs then pull it up...not hard but you can simply rip it out which I'm sure is the case with most of the bumpers if you have a winch.

I agree, don't remove the grill to install your bumper!

 

Cool.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input. I would have probably gotten concerned about the winch not fitting or something had I not heard about the snug fit first.

I'll be sure and NOT remove the grill... I like less work anyhow... fits with my lazy nature

 

That, and dropping the bumper itself, are the main reasons I think a buddy would be a good idea to have around for this install.

I guess the XRC-10 is physically bigger than the 8... I guess that makes sense, I'd never thought about it before.

 

Whoooo Hoooo my winch is in!!!!!!!


So take alot of pics about how to do that winch plate install and pay attention to see if you think I will need to take my bumper back off to put the winch on?

Why don't you guys just throw yours on and since it will be fresh in your mind you guys can road trip up and see me and we can throw my winch on! lol

We both will be rockin winch's on our next wheeling trip now!!!!

Red

 

Hey Red - did mine with the bumper already installed which was a PITA...I would definitely have removed the bumper and installed the winch plate and winch then installed the entire bumper...but like you I ran for a few weeks without a winch so I thought it would be easier to install it onto the plate and simply install the plate to the bumper...learn from me and remove the bumper unless someone else has a trick to make it easier.

 

Thanks for the info sm_rubi! It really isn't that hard putting the bumper on I did it by myself too, but with a winch and winch plate I think I will need some help!

Can you post a few close ups of the winch mounted and stuff please?

Thanks,

red

 

Agree, it'll be heavy with the winch plate and winch so have a friend lend a hand. Here's the pics not sure if they are what you are looking for but wanted to show how tight it is...believe it or not you can still pull the grill out of the tabs and then up but it's tight. Also, because I wanted to keep the air flow to the grill unobstructed I mounted the solenoid to the left which is really too tight I should have just left it mounted on top.

 

Yes good Pics, that thing is snug huh?