I purchased a Rough Country JK winch mount kit and an Superwinch EPi 9.0 for installation on my 08 Rubi. The installation is rather simple. It involves your standard bumper removal and the addition of 4 brackets which attach to the frame rails. The front brackets replace the tow hooks if you have them, if not then the directions show how to cut out the plastic bumper to create an opening for the front winch plate mounts. The process went fairly smooth with the exception of me having to purchase a 7/8" drill bit to drill out the D-ring pin supports. The kit comes with everything you need including the D-rings. Oh yeah, Rough Country makes two JK winch mounts, one with the D-Rings and the other without. Big difference in price. I paid $264.00 total for the mount kit. Attached are some pics. Notice the Red coating on the D-Rings. I bought some Plastic Dip from a local auto supply. Two coats.. Stopped the clanking. I now have a 2" difference in height between front and back. What is the best way to level out the Rubi? Comments please.

 

I purchased the RC winch plate with the shackle mounts also.

Quick shipping, good customer service and the powdercoating and conditions of the components upon arrival were excellent.

The install itself is pretty straightfoward except for crappy Jeep plastic screws.

THe brackets the mount connects to pretty much go on in one way and are secured. My biggest problem was while the shackle mounts and winch plate itself lined up well, they both didnt line up with the frame brackets. It too ALOT of clearing of the factory mount holes to get the mount to work.

I tried with the frame mounts loose/tight/combo before I started wallowing out the winchplate holes to fit. The directions do state this might be a possiblity, however I didnt think I would have to do every hole.

Overall, it's an OK mount and while a little high for what a winch plate should cost even with shackles, it will do well until Shrockworks gets their act together and get the wait times below 13 weeks or so. It's almost like waiting for a custom gun holster!

 

I bought the RC mount for the same reason. I'm waiting for a bumper to come out that I like. I was leaning towards the LOD medium width w/factory light holes. I forgot to write in my post that I had to wallow out the mounting holes on the passenger side front bracket. Did you attach a winch yet? If you did, are you having the same front end sag I'm having?

 

those things are a great way to add a winch to the stock bumper. I think the price is about 2x too high though.

 

Yeah, considering you can get a stubby winch bumper for 189.

 

Very true. I do think the RC price was a little high. However even those stubby winch bumpers (most likely Expedition One) still had a wait on them.

Im sure I can turn this around in online for sale when my bumper comes back and get some of the money back. And whoever buys it knows that it will line up first time around.



I didnt notice too much as far as front end sag. I have a good rake to the front end anyway.

 

Let us know if you encounter any overheating issues with that. With warmer weather around the corner, I'd be interested to know.

 

Ill let you know, however I doubt with that much radiator showing it will be a problem. On my TJ I had much more covered and wheeled alot in AZ mid summer with no problems. I know it's a engine driven vs electric issue here, but dont think it will be an issue.

Honestly, the plate is for the next few months before I deploy again and my shrockworks should be here while I am gone and Ill have it on by the fall anyway!

 

Get some 2" spacers for the front springs and you will level out nicely.

 

Nice looking Rubi! I have a Warn 9.5 XP with Warn winch plate and I am not so thrilled with the looks. Can't wait for my Shrockworks mid.