I'll try to post some pics of this but it really is simple to wire up as well. All you need to do is route the red power lead and the black ground lead up behind your grill or through the first slot on the passenger side, up around the air box and then to the battery. Super simple to do

 

If you want your winch to work, yes, you will have to provide a power source. As far as being a noob, how dare you? It's not like we're here to help each other or anything... we're all experts that know EVERYTHING, and our sole purpose is to flame rookies (a la "STFU Newb!").

(NOT!)

 

I hope you don't mind me recommending a resource just east of you. Give Quinn (Heather or Steve may answer) a call at All J Products (www. boulderbars.com). They just moved their shop from the Riverside area to Big Bear. These people are genuine, honest and love to support people new to Jeeping. Heather's got a JK Unlimited that's already on 37's (I think). They have installed tons of winches and make super high quality bumpers. They are also members of the Dirt Devils jeep club(www.dirtdevils.org), Quinn's a former Prez, which I also recommend. Good luck. I will probably go with a Superwinch on an Expedition One mount (simple, bang for the buck).

Good luck and tell Quinn and Heather I miss all my SoCal friends.
Kurt in Colorado

 

winch depot has the smittybuilt xrc8000 for 279.00 shipped!! i think its a good occasional winch if in 2 years you arent happy you can save enough for a hell of a warn winch! just my opinion. wish there was more ladies into jeepin, nothin like breaking a old stereotype lol

 

I'll do that! I'm a Heather too, maybe that will get me a discount. :P

 

Yet one more noob winch question from me. Changing out the stock bumper for the shrockworks won't affect the safety in a frontal crash or the airbag function, will it?

 

I agree that the hardest part of the bumper swap was getting the old one off. I gave up on trying to preserve the plastic "screws" and just punched them out. Be ready to be shocked at the non-existent weight of the factory bumper. I'm not sure it would take a head on collision with a butterfly. Edit - I had a comment about winchplates, but I think the Shrockworks doesn't require one, so never mind.

As for cheaper winches, I run a Mile Marker. Not the greatest in the world, but its served me on the whopping one time per year I wind up needing it. The Ford Ranger I yanked out of a snowpacked trail loves it, I'm sure!

 

May i also recommend something...if so...in your case i would use removable winch instead of carrying this extra weigh all around during 11 months when itīs not needed, every year. If you use it only few times, leave it to your home until you really know you might need it. And you would be happy with Warn lightweight 9.5 Rc or T-Max Rc winch. Weights 25% less than these normally used ones and you being a female are able to handle it i am sure. With synthetic rope of course.
Just make a quick disconnection for electric cables, using forklift or similar charging connectors. And this winch also, itīs just 4 bolts to tighten or loose to set it on or take it off.
Anyway, just my opinion. Hope this does not mix you up.
On the other hand, it looks nice you have a winch up front.
Do it your way and have a great time !