i have noticed that many fellow jeeps have a front receiver made in to the front bumper and some have been fabricated somehow...what are they used for ?

 

A winch. That way they can use it on the front or back.

 

Also there are hitch mounted plows. Obviously not for commercial use but good to clear your driveway ( for your other vehicles to park in the driveway ).

Also you can hook a trailer to the front hitch to push it into a tight spot.

Also you can install a license plate holder if your bumper does not have a spot for it.

or... a hook as a secondary snatch point.

or... I've seen people put in a bar with a trailer connector to be used as a towbar although I really don't know how much I personally like that idea.

and...a front mount bike rack or tire carrier or cargo carrier. I've also seen people with homemade fishing pole racks in the receiver.

However like the above post said I believe most people use it with a winch cradle so they could mount it to the front or back. Also so the winch is not in the weather and accessable to theives all year round.

 

They can be used for winches, push bars, anchor/shackle receiver, license plate receiver, fishing pole rack receiver and MORE... You want to have it welded High into the frame for strength.

 

Ill edit this with a pictures later, but I have a D-ring shackle in there most of the time, and a homemade 6-rod holder for when fishing.

I'm surprised its not more popular and how few JK bumpers are made with front hitch receivers - for fishing and recovery it works great.