Ok I've got a question for the guys that have had the front bumper off. I don't wheel as much as I used to when I lived in Colorado but I still want a winch for when I do. I just don't want to drag the weight around every day. Here is the question, would it be possible to mount a receiver down between the frame rails with the 2x2 receiver actually coming out the front of the bumper. I could then have a receiver mount winch and use it in the front and rear and only carry it when needed. Bonus would be that the license plate could be mounted to a receiver blank and it would hide everything up front. I'm not worried about custom fab of a receiver or whatever is needed that's the fun part. I just haven't had time to tear the front down yet and I'm checking to see if it's worth the effort. I don't mind the looks of the bumper and it will get changed when it's destroyed. Thanks in advance.
Rick

 

Just get a bumper with a receiver in it. There are a few companies that make receiver winch mounts. lots of people have done it.

 

Yeah I know I could just buy a bumper with one already in there, but I'd rather spend the money someplace else. Besides it's more fun to make it than buy it.

 

Then make a bumper with a receiver. It would be pretty simple. Your mounting would need to be similiar to how the bumper is mounted now. I made my bumpers on my TJ and put a receiver in the rear. It was really easy. If you can weld then you can make a bumper.