Change of Plans for My Winch Set Up

[KimsJeep]

Well, this just came about today. LOL Hubby and I were talking about my winch again and I was saying that we really need to get the wiring done so I can take it with me if I decided to go on a Snow run.

As some may know, we bought a hitch mount winch plate and I put the winch on it and was planning on putting it in the hitch on the front bumper. Well, I think hubby has been thinking it over and today he said that he thinks he just wants to put it on the bumper. He just isn't sure how it would do hanging out the front. Which I agreed. I had said something before about I was concerned about stabbing it in the ground if I go down a steep ditch and try to come up the other side.

He decided that we will scrap the idea of doing the hitch mount winch and go ahead and mount it to the top of the bumper. I am kind of excited about that because at least I won't have to worry about stabbing it into the ground. LOL That and it will always be with me.

So now I need to figure out a mount for putting it on the bumper. We have this one ( seen in pic below) that the winch was on when we got it. It was made to go on a trailer so the PO had cut and welded on the tall pieces on the sides.

Here is a pic I got from the internet on how I think this mount actually looked before the PO modified it.

I'm not sure if we can use that one because I think it kind of goes up in the center. I now have a bigger guard on my bumper and it doesn't give much room. I need to find a plate that will work with that guard and the stock bumper.

There is someone on the forum that has this same guard, sorry, I don't remember your name, but I am pretty sure you have a winch with this guard. Would you mind sharing how you mounted it? Would really appreciate it.

Here is my front end with guard. I haven't actually tried measuring things yet as we had just talked about it a little while ago. Tomorrow I plan on measuring the area where the winch would go and the guard spacing. I'm hoping the winch isn't to big to go in the spot in the guard. I'll probably have to figure out something for the light bar, again. LOL We will also have to cut the receiver piece off. It was put on for a different purpose in the beginning so no big loss as the purpose didn't work out. LOL

If it all works out, I will have to add a winch cover to my list of things I want to get.

I also hope I like the looks of the winch on there. LOL It may take away from my purple front end.

 

[TJ4Jim]

A flat winch plate should do fine for what you have in mind and HF has a very basic mount that is inexpensive and should work fine. There are others out there if you goggle around.

https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-channel-winch-mount-62446.html

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Was your hitch mount plan going to be used for "semi permanent" temporary winch installations whenever you wanted to keep it handy?

If it was just going to be "semi permanent" temporary, maybe rotating the receiver so it points up and down, then modifying the plate so the winch will be right side up with that receiver. With the winch being higher and sticking out less that should allow more clearance and reduce the chances of stabbing it in the ground.

It would also let the whole world see your purple front end whenever you have the winch removed.

 

[Goatman]

A flat mount will require you to drill holes in the top of the bumper where the winch feet bolt. I found that out when I got the flat plate to try and keep my winch as low and clear of the radiator as possible. Luckily for me my bumper was built with just enough room to be able to drill holes and have enough room for my hand to fit inside to install nuts. Go with a raised plate and save yourself a lot of work and keep from alot of head scratching.

 

[KimsJeep]

Ok, I decided to test my strength and picked that bad boy up and took it out and put it on the Jeep. It really kind of surprised me on how high it actually sits. I took it around to where my hubby works and first he said that it would probably be ok like that, but then said he may put it on the bumper anyway. LOL So I just told him lets work on getting the wires ran first, then decide how we want to mount it. I figure with the wires ran I can at least use it while we decide on if we want it on the bumper permanently.

Here are some pics on how it looks.

Here is one thing I don't like. I wish it would sit further in the receiver. I guess we could drill a new hole to make it go back further.

In the pic above and below, you can see some flat stock that hubby welded to the bumper. It's actually a piece of angle iron. He still needs to finish welding it at the bottom and I think if I will have him weld some pieces on each end to help reinforce it.

The other thing I'm not liking is it has a lot of jiggle.

Part of it could possibly be because of the piece he needs to finish welding and some of it is obviously the play in the receiver. He said I could always tie off to the hooks to help stabilize it if I needed too.

To answer your question @JEEPCJTJ . The original plan of the receiver was to hold a T pole to haul my kayak. That went to the wayside once we figured out that the kayak wasn't 20 foot long. LOL That is why I decided to just get a hitch mounted winch. It really didn't dawn on me till I went on a couple 4 wheelin' trips that there could be a possibility of it actually stabbing into the ground. But, after seeing it actually on the Jeep just now, I'm not sure it would really. It is pretty high. I don't do extreme stuff, so I think it may be ok. I also was thinking it would be a better route to go because of the fact I drive on the road for the most part and with it on a hitch style, I wouldn't have to haul it around everywhere and the chances of it getting ripped off would be less on a hitch style one because I can leave it at home while I go back and forth to work. Then again, I guess we could always tack weld the bolts to make it harder to get off, if we decide to put it on the bumper.

I'll update this when we decide on what we are going to do. LOL

 

[KimsJeep]

Ok, so I lied. I'm updating before we decide. LOL

I was looking at wiring kits to go from the battery to the winch. I found this.

https://www.ebay.com/i/183839574954...b3LwRC-igDm2i69Douu1s5fco6hIFWVwaAvk2EALw_wcB

Is 8 gauge going to be big enough for a winch?

 

[jjvw]

The winch really ought to go on the Jeep itself. Right now the receiver mount is just an enormous boat anchor and battering ram.

 

[LONGJP2]

No, maybe something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00029XEFM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Also...
1) I hope the front receiver mount is tied into the frame and not just the bumper.
2) Depending on the type of wheeling, you could haul it in the back till it's actually needed to avoid digging in.
3) You could also run wires to the back for rear hitch use.

 

[KimsJeep]

No, maybe something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00029XEFM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Also...
1) I hope the front receiver mount is tied into the frame and not just the bumper.
2) Depending on the type of wheeling, you could haul it in the back till it's actually needed to avoid digging in.
3) You could also run wires to the back for rear hitch use.

Ok, that was weird. The first time I clicked on your link, it took me to a kit similar to the kit I posted, but a Warn wiring kit for 94 bucks. I read the question and answers in that link and they were saying it was 6 or 8 gauge. Clicked on your link again to go look at it again, and it is a different wire. It is only 1 end and it is 0 gauge. I would need the end to go to the battery and the end to hook to the winch. At least I know what gauge to look for now. Thanks.

Also, sadly to answer your number 1 concern, No, it isn't going to the frame. When he was first putting the receiver on, and we were talking about being able to use it for a winch too, I told him it needed to go to the frame then and that it would just rip the bumper if I tried to get unstuck from something. (sorry for my next comment guys, LOL) Then, being the typical MAN he is, he said "it will be fine!", and proceeded to tell me that because of the angle iron welded to it to give it support, it wouldn't rip it. LOL I just said, "ok dear" like a good wife should do. LOL I also chalked it up as, once it does rip the bumper, I can then go buy a bigger bumper. LOL

With that being said, this is another reason I was kind of liking the fact that he was considering putting the winch on the Jeep itself. I could at least go buy a winch plate to make sure it gets put on correctly.

And for number 3, yes we were thinking of running wire back to the back to use it back there too if the need arose. If we decide to go with the mount to the jeep itself I won't run the wire, unless we get another winch for the reciever in the back one day. LOL

 

[LONGJP2]

Yes, I edited my response several times. I couldn't find a good example of the proper wiring kit for a large winch.

I have a front Warn quick connect on mine, but I only use it for jumper cables and/or a 12v power source.
You don't have to get Warn or any other name brand. You can buy the wire and plugs separately to make your own cables.

 

[KimsJeep]

Yes, I edited my response several times. I couldn't find a good example of the proper wiring kit for a large winch.

I have a front Warn quick connect on mine, but I only use it for jumper cables and/or a 12v power source.
You don't have to get Warn or any other name brand. You can buy the wire and plugs separately to make your own cables.

I probably won't have to worry about buying any because he will probably bring something home from the tow yard he works at. They probably have extra wiring hanging around for the tow trucks. I just wanted to start looking "just in case" I decide to stop waiting. LOL I did send a pic of the kit to his phone as a hint. LOL

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

... LOL I also chalked it up as, once it does rip the bumper, I can then go buy a bigger bumper. LOL...

You have just proven that you are definitely a real Jeep owner.

 

[KimsJeep]

You have just proven that you are definitely a real Jeep owner.

Well, kind of. I just told him I want to mount it on the Jeep instead of using the hitch mount. So now I will go buy a proper mounting plate that goes to the frame. I will also be hard wiring it it in instead of having the quick connects. So just need to find wire to go from battery to winch.

 

[KimsJeep]

Ok, now I have another question. Since I have the stock bumper, I am curious to know if I will have to take my plastic cover off the sway bar to install the winch, or will it sit on top of it?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

2 gauge is what a Jeep size winch requires. Make sure the + and - power cables connect directly to the battery's + and - posts.

Do not (!) connect the winch's - (negative) connector to the chassis for its - ground connection which would start blowing the light gauge ground wiring scattered around the Jeep the first time the winch was used with a load on it.

 

[Goatman]

What do you think of that grill hoop? Does it do a good job of keeping saplings crowding the trail from wanting to grab onto the grill and fenders? I'm guessing it's made by Rampage. It's the only one I've found that protects the front.

 

[derekmac]

Follow what Jerry said. 8 guage is way too small for a winch. I ran 1/0 (not needed, but I had it), and wouldn't run anything smaller than 2 guage. A welding supply shop, or battery shop should be able to supply, cut to length and crimp the ends needed on the wire for you.

 

[KimsJeep]

2 gauge is what a Jeep size winch requires. Make sure the + and - power cables connect directly to the battery's + and - posts.

Do not (!) connect the winch's - (negative) connector to the chassis for its - ground connection which would start blowing the light gauge ground wiring scattered around the Jeep the first time the winch was used with a load on it.

Thanks. I will look for 2 gauge.

Anyone have a rough length it would take to go from winch to the battery?

 

[KimsJeep]

What do you think of that grill hoop? Does it do a good job of keeping saplings crowding the trail from wanting to grab onto the grill and fenders? I'm guessing it's made by Rampage. It's the only one I've found that protects the front.

I really like it but I can't say how well it does for protecting things. I have only went off road twice since I put it on and haven't ran into any brush yet.

That is another thing I have been thinking about. I will have to put that on top of the winch mount. That will make it a tiny bit taller but luckily it appears to have plenty of area to go up and not look too out of place.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thanks. I will look for 2 gauge.

Anyone have a rough length it would take to go from winch to the battery?

6' is enough. Have the connectors hydraulically crimped on, no soldering!