I just recently bought a 2011 JKU Rubicon. I have been wondering what exactly I should do to my jeep first, as far as upgrades. I think purchasing a new Winch would be number 1. Do I need to buy a new front bumper? What kind of Winch should I get? How large 8k, 9k, or 10k? I heard Warn was the best...? If I need to buy new front bumper what should I get? I am not looking to break the bank either considering I am just a college student. Any thoughts, ideas, or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!?!?!

 

The best advice I can give you is slow down and look at all the options available to you as you may not like the one I like. You don't have to replace the stock bumper to mount a winch, but the mounting systems for the stock bumper aren't cheap, so if you want an aftermarket bumper just get your favorite brand that has the winch mount built in. As far as what winch to buy there are a bunch of cheap ones and a few good ones. Be sure the motor is series wound and not a permanent magnet field, which is a weak motor under heavy load. The best advice on which manufacturer I can give is get the brand that has spare parts available, otherwise it is a disposable winch. The rule of thumb is 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle. The 8000 or 9.5 winch will do anything you need to do for your Jeep, add a sheave and it doubles the capacity of the winch. I do agree that a winch should be the first addition IF you plan to get off road especially alone. No matter what lift and tires you have you can still get stuck. Recovery gear goes along with the winch so purchase that as well, kits are available if you don't know what to buy. Read read and read more about all aspects of the jeep. Watch lots of YouTube video, Wayalife, the admin of this site has several on there, as well as others showing technique for wheeling and plenty of how not to wheel. Take your time getting to understand your machine and decide for yourself the way to build your Jeep to fit your needs.

 

Thank You for the advice! I will plan on getting an aftermarket bumper and Winch. Any recommendation on whether I should get new wheels and tires before I purchase a lift or vice versa?

 

I have done it a couple different ways, my last jeep I spent a bunch of useless money in name brand. You have a great start with the Rubi. Your already a little ahead of most. You dont have to break the bank. Get a decent winch, smittybuilt has great bumpers that work well and look great.

 

Ok so smittybuilt is a good brand to look at for bumpers?

 

Also check out rugged ridge. Here is a pic of my bumper with winch. Bumper cost me $450. Bought my winch a few months later.

 

There a lot of people too on here that have ENGO winches. I don't know a lot about them but their website say made in America and they are half the price of Warn. So what's not to like about that.

 

I would keep your eye on Amazon for a winch. I searched and waited and bought a 10000 lbs Superwinch for 295.00 with free shipping. Haven't been stuck yet but I have used it to pull down a couple trees for firewood.

 

Another thing to look into is synthetic vs cable (rope vs metal) Look at the different kinds, and decide what is important to you.

I won't own a cable winch... and I've got buddies who wouldn't buy a synthetic rope winch... we both have our reasons, and both are sound.

Do some searching around, lots of options out there. I know guys who have recon winches who use them a ton & are very happy with them (same with smittybilt) and I know guys who won't buy anything but warn...

in this market there are SOOOO many choices (winches & bumpers), you can ask what people like, but there's just a TON to search, don't buy too quick, do some searching first & make up your own mind.

 

Engo winches was started by the son of mile marker winches......
you are going with a winch and bumper,you need to pick the bumper you like best that will fit the build of you jeep.then pick the winch that fits your bumper.
and there a many to chose from,i have the power plant on the wife's H3 and the 9.5xp on my '12 Rubicon.it came off my LR D2 after it was totaled.i had it repaired and the synthetic line installed.i chose warn due to the warranty shop is close to the house for repairs.
i chose the rough country bumper for the price and deal on this forum.my winch just fits in the bumper.
super winch is another good winch company.as stated earlier...research is your key.do you plan on upgrading your battery? do you plan on running dual batteries??all this helps the winching.do you live in an area that gets alot of water do you run in the mud?are you in a dry area and hardly see the deep stuff.

Good luck with your build........