I recently saw a picture of a winch mounted on top of a PureJeep stubby bumper (no winch bumper w/fog lights). What are the pros and cons to doing this? I know that some type of plate would have to be fabricated for the fairlead mount, but would this work ok?

 

Yes, it will work, this it the route I decided on. That stubby with lights is about $ 150 cheaper and I like it better! I beleive Off Road Evolution is running that exact setup as well. That is my plan if I ever get a winch. I did not want the winch hole while I was waiting. The con is that the winch will block more of your grill which also blocks airflow, hence not allowing engine to cool off as quickly.

 

A winch mounted on top of the frame rails as opposed to between them is going to cause considerably more stress on all attached components especially at maximum power. Technically speaking at some point it might even break the welds free on either end and peel up the top edge of the bumper whereas if its mounted to the bottom plate in between the frame rail the force is spread out evenly. Thats my 2 cents from straightening frame rails on a frame machine and watching clamps and plates flying across the shop when they let loose.

I'm in the market for bumpers for my JK and would never buy one that mounted a winch on the top instead of inside the bumper between the frame rails. Not only does seem like a weak design but it also blocks airflow to the radiator.

 

I have a q along the same lines. I have a winch plate mounted 9.5 XP with stock Bumper. It bolts to the frame rails behind the bumper. When I add my new bumper, LIKE the PJ Stubby with hoop from SEMA that may be out in Nov, will I have to mount the winch differently?

 

Yup, Off Road Evolution is running one now...



The benefits of this setup is that you can keep your factory fog lights and so far as I know, you do not need to get an additional winch plate as the bumper acts as one.

 

Eddie, Do you see any majoy downfalls to using this setup? I am planning to mount an older Ramsey RE 8000 on one. I was thinking of this setup because I was concerned that my winch wouldn't work well with some of the other bumpers that mount the winch between the frame. The size of the winch and the fact that the free spool pulls from the side leads me to think more about a top bumper mount.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far!

 

kinda like all those TJ, etc. ones right? Can't say I've seen their bumpers delaminating as you suggest.