Anyone use this winch plate https://www.quadratec.com/products/92122_2900_07.htm. or something similar you can recommend for mounting on a stock bumper? I have the Mopar “Stubby” end caps and I am satisfied with this setup for the time being. Would like to throw a Warn winch on as my first mod. I would also like to be able to keep my stock recovery hooks as well and on some raised winch plates I have seen on YouTube it’s not always feasible.
Quadratec Winch Premium Winch Plate
- Thread starter BDS
- Start date
FWIW, its possible to use the stock front recovery hooks with most/many raised plates if you have an angle grinder:
Primed, repainted, and bolted back on!
Primed, repainted, and bolted back on!
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
Any reason why you can't just flip them to the opposite side?
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
I posses them but they aren’t on their currently . I like how it looks better without. So it sounds like I should just go with a raised one to get it back over the sway bar and out of the way. Anything wrong with the smittybilt one or is there a more preferable brand that allows use of stock recovery hooks?
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The hook ends up in the stock fog light territory if you switch them side for side...
Without fog lights in the stock location switching hooks around is a quick solution for winch plate interference, usually…
Murf926
TJ Enthusiast
I have that exact plate. It has held up very well for about 10 years now.
It's actually the 2nd winch plate I've owned. The first one I believe came from Harbor Freight about 15 years ago. The powder coating started peeling off after only a year or so. It was awful. This one has been great!
I still use the stock bumper (chopped down to my liking) without the rubber bumperettes. I think it looks fine, but you can judge for yourself.
It's actually the 2nd winch plate I've owned. The first one I believe came from Harbor Freight about 15 years ago. The powder coating started peeling off after only a year or so. It was awful. This one has been great!
I still use the stock bumper (chopped down to my liking) without the rubber bumperettes. I think it looks fine, but you can judge for yourself.
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MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
That quadratech on will work fine if you’re ok with the winch sticking out some.
I have a smittybilt raised winch plate and with an aftermarket bumper and roller fairlead, it still stuck out some. I never had it on the OEM bumper though, so I don’t know about that.
I currently have Blaine’s ST fairlead and it’s slightly back from my bumper now.
Also, some Curt tow hooks are slim, cheap and fit perfectly in the OEM spot.
CURT 22411 Bolt-On Black Steel Tow Hook with Spring Clip, 10,000 lbs Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMZRQ8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
With roller fairlead.
With ST fairlead
I have a smittybilt raised winch plate and with an aftermarket bumper and roller fairlead, it still stuck out some. I never had it on the OEM bumper though, so I don’t know about that.
I currently have Blaine’s ST fairlead and it’s slightly back from my bumper now.
Also, some Curt tow hooks are slim, cheap and fit perfectly in the OEM spot.
CURT 22411 Bolt-On Black Steel Tow Hook with Spring Clip, 10,000 lbs Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMZRQ8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
With roller fairlead.
With ST fairlead
Vtx531
TJ Addict
So if the steel winch plate is 1/4" thick, how thick is an aluminum winch plate?
I think mine is a rough county plate. Its on a stock bumper and still utilizes the tow hooks with the ability to use a stock sway bar. I think I paid $50 for it but that was also a number of years ago.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
Can you get a flat winch plate that's not drilled or cutout for the bumperettes?
I'd like to keep my factory bumper and be able to push the winch plate back farther since I no longer have the stock swaybar.
I'd like to keep my factory bumper and be able to push the winch plate back farther since I no longer have the stock swaybar.
Murf926
TJ Enthusiast
If I'm understanding your question correctly, I believe you would either need a plate that sticks out a bit or you would need a raised plate on the factory bumper. This is because the bolts to mount the winch to the plate would interfere with the bumper, otherwise. I don't think you could have a flat (non-raised) plate on the factory bumper that doesn't stick out a bit.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Notice the 2 front winch mounting bolts in these pictures just above the license plate. This plate can't slide further back because they would interfere with the bumper.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
I was thinking you could move it back far enough for those to be behind the bumper.
Maybe that puts the winch into the grill.
Worse case; you could notch the bumper, use countersunk bolts, or some other work around.
