Smittybuilt vs Rock Crawler

[Mopar7014]

That is the wheel size, not the spare tire size. But if the spare tire is the factory size, you don't need anything but the factory spare tire holder.

Hey Jerry I have been searching awhile for a front bumper for my TJ. I do not like the big bulky looks of most I've seen nor don't like the bull bars or stingers. I want to keep it simple. I am putting a winch on the front and just want a clean look. With that being said, can I just use my stock bumper and add a winch plate and winch to it? It will probably never be used as I don't climb. It's just a look thing. If so is there any harm in doing this? (see pic)

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Absolutely you can mount a winch on top of the factory bumper. The winch doesn’t actually bolt to the bumper itself, its mounting bolts only pass through the bumper to the frame below. A bumper doesn’t even have to be there.

 

[Mopar7014]

Great

Absolutely you can mount a winch on top of the factory bumper. The winch doesn’t actually bolt to the bumper itself, its mounting bolts only pass through the bumper to the frame below. A bumper doesn’t even have to be there.

! So will this particular winch plate work with my stock bumper?? It says it's for a TJ.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Yes, it bolts on top where your bumper's two pairs of mounting bolts on top go. Using a T-55 torx bit, remove the top four bolts that hold your bumper on. Replace them with slightly longer Grade 5 or Grade 8 1/2x13 bolts that will hold the winch mounting plate in place. Common grade bolts aren't strong enough to hold a winch so make sure the bolts you use are only Grade 5 or Grade 8.

Bolt the winch onto the mounting plate, then mount the mounting plate and winch assembly onto the bumper.

 

[Mopar7014]

Yes, it bolts on top where your bumper's two pairs of mounting bolts on top go. Using a T-55 torx bit, remove the top four bolts that hold your bumper on. Replace them with slightly longer Grade 5 or Grade 8 1/2x13 bolts that will hold the winch mounting plate in place. Common grade bolts aren't strong enough to hold a winch so make sure the bolts you use are only Grade 5 or Grade 8.

Bolt the winch onto the mounting plate, then mount the mounting plate and winch onto the bumper.

Awesome! Thank you so much for all your help.