Am I the only one that thinks $120-$250 for a winch plate is extreme! I'm guessing not so on to my question....has anyone fabricated their own winch plate for a base mounted winch? What were your dimensions?

 

There has been several guys I've seen take a flat piece of 1/4" Steel and drill their holes, then mount the winch to it.

That simple. Also drill your mounting holes.

 

The winch should come with a template or drawing with the dimensions needed to mount the winch.
I had an aftermarket bumper on my jeep when i bought mine and it had a winch delete plate...bought a harbor freight winch plate to cut and mod and still had tons of problems with spacing and mounting the plate flat, (which was more related to the style of bumper i had in there)and then realizing it said it was rated for 9000lbs but it was only 3/16"plate... So i was rather unsure of its strength. I decided to get a rc stubby hybrid winch mount bumper..under 200 bucks(new on ebay) and everything was pre drilled and lined up perfect.
If you do decide to make your own, make sure you use grade 8 bolts and use at least 1/4" plate for mounting the winch. But i do agree the prices for just the plates are high, but when it comes to safety and piece of mind i can see why they charge what they do

 

Have you looked at ASFIR mounts? They just bolt on without removing the bumper. Very simple, two brackets one plate. Nosy sure of cost but saves much time and grief.

 

is that used with a stock bumper?

 

You can get a universal mount from Summit Racing for $30. I saw it recommended on another thread, and have personally not used it.

 

Thanks for the helpful tips so far guys. I bought some grade 8 bolts at Home Depot, def gonna use at least 1/4in steel. Mounting a used Warn HS9500i on a new Ranch Hand Bull Nose bumper. $615 for the bumper and $400 for the hardly used winch. Wallets lookin busted and disgusted! Lol