Hey fellow jeepers, I got a winch for Christmas and was looking for a winch plate. Definitely want a raised one but I can't seem to find a solid answer so whether I can keep my tow hooks with one or not. Looking mostly at the Smithybilt one. Would I need to get longer bolts or would they work with the hardware that comes with that? Thanks everyone
Keeping tow hooks with winch plate
- Thread starter Ken1120
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- tow hooks winch winch plate
I was able to use my stock bolts and hooks with my Warn plate and bumper. Not sure about the Smittybilt.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
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I think I read where you might be able to swap sides with the hooks and get them to work with the Smittybilt raised plate.
If not, these would be a good option. Some reviewers said the holes lined up perfectly with the TJ mounting holes. There is also a version that comes without the clip and hardware that costs a little less.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMZRQ8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
If not, these would be a good option. Some reviewers said the holes lined up perfectly with the TJ mounting holes. There is also a version that comes without the clip and hardware that costs a little less.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001GMZRQ8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
As long as the bolts are long enough you are fine. Those stock bumper bolts work on my new bumper, winch plate, and stock tow hooks. They are surprisingly long for a stock bolt. Look to see that the threads come all the way through the nutplates with a couple threads to spare and you are good to go.
John Scoggins
TJ Enthusiast
Yup, they work great, in my case I had to get longer bolts.....
With longer bolts especially make sure you're using Grade 8 bolts to hold the tow hooks on.
Thanks for all the options and help everyone! Looks like I'll move forward with the Smithybilt winch plate
Neal
TJ Enthusiast
Tomken also makes a raised winch plate, which is what I mounted on my LJ.
https://www.mcssl.com/store/tomken/tj-yj-lj-perm-winch-plate
The photo below shows that there is plenty of room for tow hooks next to the raised portion, although I did use slightly longer bolts when I got around to installing them. I later replaced them with d-ring mounts which required much longer bolts.
https://www.mcssl.com/store/tomken/tj-yj-lj-perm-winch-plate
The photo below shows that there is plenty of room for tow hooks next to the raised portion, although I did use slightly longer bolts when I got around to installing them. I later replaced them with d-ring mounts which required much longer bolts.
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
I wish I had known about that winch plate before I had bought my Smittybilt plate. My Smittybilt plate had been fine, but I really like that winch guard that's on it.
Do you know the diameter of the tube?
That's a really nice mounting plate and my favorite of all the aftermarket designs. I had one on my previous TJ.
Neal
TJ Enthusiast
I had to go out and measure it, it's 7/8" OD. Pretty skinny, but it works fine to protect the winch.
Neal
TJ Enthusiast
Actually, Jerry, I have you to thank for the idea in the first place. I had just bought my LJ about 6 years ago and had been reading up on The Forum That Shall Remain Nameless when I came across a comment you had made concerning the Tomken winch plate and how much you liked it. After looking it up on the web I decided that it was the plate I would buy when I got a winch. I have been very happy with it and recommend it to everyone who asks about it.
EzPeezy
TJ Enthusiast
I flipped my oem tow hooks side to side and was able to bolt them down on top of a winch plate
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
I think it was about a month after I put my Smittybilt plate on that I came across the Tomken plate.
Are you using the factory hooks now ? I had to swap out my OEM hooks for the type shown in post # 5 as they did not sit properly on top of the raised winch plate.
Mrgreg66
TJ Enthusiast
I found this plate that came off a YJ on a local classified for $25 so I made it work including factory tow hooks. Had to get longer bolts also (grade 8). The factory bolts actually made it to the bottom of the threads, but if you look at them, they taper slightly at the tip so I did not want to trust that kind of load to less than full thread engagement. I would like to add d-ring mounts instead of the factory hooks but decided to save the money towards a bumper that will include d-ring mounts.
I had to purchase longer grade 8 bolts, I think they were Grade 8 Coarse Hex Cap Screws, 1/2-13 x 2-1/2 But I could be incorrect, as Im looking at an old Amazon order. To fully answer your question, I purchased a
SmittyBuilt Winch Plate - Raised, and ordered 4 longer bolts to retain the tow hooks, never had issues with multiple recoveries.
I would like to add, less than a year later I purchased a bumper for winch protection and to get rid of the sheet metal stock bumper. I wish I would've just bought a damn bumper in the first place and saved some money.
Edit:
If you want one used, I can hook you up for a good price+shipping if you want. Let me know.
SmittyBuilt Winch Plate - Raised, and ordered 4 longer bolts to retain the tow hooks, never had issues with multiple recoveries.
I would like to add, less than a year later I purchased a bumper for winch protection and to get rid of the sheet metal stock bumper. I wish I would've just bought a damn bumper in the first place and saved some money.
Edit:
If you want one used, I can hook you up for a good price+shipping if you want. Let me know.
These look like a good alternative to hooks.
https://metalcloak.com/hi-mount-shackle-system-cj-yj-tj-lj.html
https://metalcloak.com/hi-mount-shackle-system-cj-yj-tj-lj.html