Pre-Build Questions / Thoughts for Bumpers, Winch, and Skid Plates

[OkieJoe]

In the process of gearing up for some modifications. I have a manual 06 LJ that I’ve owned for about 4 years. The PO used it as a mall crawler, and I’ve used it primarily for pasture/dirt road driving. My goal is to use it as a daily driver but also have it ready to hit some moderate trails. The completed build will have a 2.5” lift along with a small body lift. With this thread, I’m looking for info on bumpers, winch setup, and skid plates. Thanks in advance

I should add that some of my daily driving consists of driving in pastures with unknown obstructions, logs, and larger rocks at times. The rest of the daily driving is either highway or county roads.

1. Currently, I have the stock front bumper with no winch. I’d like to keep the front bumper and add a winch plate. Any recommendations on good ones or are they pretty much all equal? Thoughts on stock bumpers versus aftermarket is also appreciated. I have a knack for getting into places where I probably shouldn’t be so a winch is something that will definitely get some use.

2. The PO added a chrome Brush/Grill guard that’s bolted on top of the bumper. I’m not crazy about it, but I’ve left it in place for now. I live in a rural area with a large deer and elk population. The only reason for leaving it is to hopefully reduce the amount of damage if I hit something. I go back and forth as to whether it would actually help or cause more damage. I’m open to input on whether it should stay or go.

3. I have the factory skid plates for the transfer case and gas tank. They’re still in good shape. Is this something that I should consider upgrading or is the factory setup good for now? Also, thoughts on a radiator skid plate would be appreciated.

 

[BlueC]

3. I have the factory skid plates for the transfer case and gas tank. They’re still in good shape. Is this something that I should consider upgrading or is the factory setup good for now? Also, thoughts on a radiator skid plate would be appreciated.

Are they in good condition? Do you have any other reason to replace them? If they're in good condition, used them until you have a reason to replace them.

These Jeeps in stock form are pretty capable, and I think plenty capable of what you're talking about. A 2.5 inch lift and 1-1.25 inch body lift will give it clearance for a 31" tire. You don't mention tire size, but that's pretty much the go-to setup for that lift. I suggest not changing many things until you know actual needs and why.

 

[Zorba]

As for the radiator skid, its cheap and easy to install. It protects a fragile piece of plastic from getting whacked by branches and similar detritus you might run over.

 

[BlueC]

Speaking of skids, I do recommend some kind of engine skid. I have crossed rocks that have come unnervingly close to my oil pan. A radiator shield sounds like a good idea for those of us driving around sticks.

 

[Harold&Cat]

I agree , that's not an attractive brush guard ....lol.
I went with a standard winch plate with the stock bumper . I did remove the end caps .
We custom built the rear bumper , but you can purchase one pretty much just like it .
I'm running approximately 2 inches of suspension lift with 2 inch bump-stops . Tires are 33 inches tall and 10.3 inches wide . Works just fine for our wheeling . I did re gear to 4.88 gears , which helps a lot with the automatic transmission .

 

[JMT]

In the process of gearing up for some modifications. I have a manual 06 LJ that I’ve owned for about 4 years. The PO used it as a mall crawler, and I’ve used it primarily for pasture/dirt road driving. My goal is to use it as a daily driver but also have it ready to hit some moderate trails. The completed build will have a 2.5” lift along with a small body lift. With this thread, I’m looking for info on bumpers, winch setup, and skid plates. Thanks in advance

I should add that some of my daily driving consists of driving in pastures with unknown obstructions, logs, and larger rocks at times. The rest of the daily driving is either highway or county roads.

1. Currently, I have the stock front bumper with no winch. I’d like to keep the front bumper and add a winch plate. Any recommendations on good ones or are they pretty much all equal? Thoughts on stock bumpers versus aftermarket is also appreciated. I have a knack for getting into places where I probably shouldn’t be so a winch is something that will definitely get some use.

2. The PO added a chrome Brush/Grill guard that’s bolted on top of the bumper. I’m not crazy about it, but I’ve left it in place for now. I live in a rural area with a large deer and elk population. The only reason for leaving it is to hopefully reduce the amount of damage if I hit something. I go back and forth as to whether it would actually help or cause more damage. I’m open to input on whether it should stay or go.

3. I have the factory skid plates for the transfer case and gas tank. They’re still in good shape. Is this something that I should consider upgrading or is the factory setup good for now? Also, thoughts on a radiator skid plate would be appreciated.

1. A winch plate that bolts into the frame rails. Common, but all you need. Make sure when you mount your fairlead you check to make sure the opening on the winch plate is large enough so the rope or cable doesn’t rub on it during use. It is common for the opening to be enlarged. I suggest a Warn winch (used on FB and rebuilt are nice) with synthetic rope and a safety thimble (go to Wizard Recovery Gear).
2. Up to you entirely. The fenders will fold over easily in order to keep impacts from damaging other areas of the tub. Deer are big though. I used to live in a heavily populated game area and I definitely had a big bull bar bumper. I don’t even think I ever hit one in 8 years. LOL.
3. Factory TCase skid plate is fine unless you want more clearance which involves a body lift, motor mount lift, and tucking the transmission and transfer case up higher. Gas tank skid is up to snuff for what you are doing. If you want it higher there is a gas tank tuck mod that is free if you have a body lift. It gains about 1”.

 

[OkieJoe]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll be adding a radiator skid and engine/oil pan skid. The brush guard will more than likely be removed because I’m pretty sure that it will interfere with a winch.
@Harold&Cat You have a good looking rig. What brand of winch do you have?
@JMT I know that Warn winches are a top of the line winch, but a new one is probably out of my price range. I’ll keep an eye out for a rebuilt one, but I’m not hopeful of finding one within a reasonable travel distance. I don’t use Facebook, and I’m an old fart so I’m probably not going to change my ways. I looked at Wizard Recovery Gear. Would you recommend getting a synthetic line and safety thimble from him to replace the existing line no matter what winch I get?

I’m looking at a 13,500 lb winch made by X-Bull. It has good reviews, but I have never heard of them. The price is a little over $400. Any thoughts on X-Bull winches, or another one that’s around the $400-500 price point?

 

[Camdenst]

As for the radiator skid, its cheap and easy to install. It protects a fragile piece of plastic from getting whacked by branches and similar detritus you might run over.

What he said... i think I had the skid row installed in 15 min. Rustys also makes one.

 

[JMT]

Would you recommend getting a synthetic line and safety thimble from him to replace the existing line no matter what winch I get?

I’m looking at a 13,500 lb winch made by X-Bull. It has good reviews, but I have never heard of them. The price is a little over $400. Any thoughts on X-Bull winches, or another one that’s around the $400-500 price point?

Safety thimbles, synthetic rope, soft shackles. I advise these rather than hooks, cable, and d-rigs because they are much safer.

You want a winch rated for twice the weight of your rig. Usually the thought is an 8k winch. However, I think most rigs are over 4k, so a 9-9.5k winch seems about right. I don’t have other recommendations for that price range.

 

[Harold&Cat]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll be adding a radiator skid and engine/oil pan skid. The brush guard will more than likely be removed because I’m pretty sure that it will interfere with a winch.
@Harold&Cat You have a good looking rig. What brand of winch do you have

I’m looking at a 13,500 lb winch made by X-Bull. It has good reviews, but I have never heard of them. The price is a little over $400. Any thoughts on X-Bull winches, or another one that’s around the $400-500 price point?

I have a 13,000 Open Road winch . It has worked fine in the few times I've used it . I do know of people who have Open Road winches and use them regularly and highly recommend them . I believe ours was $350 .

https://openroad4wd.com/collections/truck-trailer-winch

 

[RHanna]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll be adding a radiator skid and engine/oil pan skid. The brush guard will more than likely be removed because I’m pretty sure that it will interfere with a winch.
@Harold&Cat You have a good looking rig. What brand of winch do you have?
@JMT I know that Warn winches are a top of the line winch, but a new one is probably out of my price range. I’ll keep an eye out for a rebuilt one, but I’m not hopeful of finding one within a reasonable travel distance. I don’t use Facebook, and I’m an old fart so I’m probably not going to change my ways. I looked at Wizard Recovery Gear. Would you recommend getting a synthetic line and safety thimble from him to replace the existing line no matter what winch I get?

I’m looking at a 13,500 lb winch made by X-Bull. It has good reviews, but I have never heard of them. The price is a little over $400. Any thoughts on X-Bull winches, or another one that’s around the $400-500 price point?

Facebook marketplace is my go to for jeep stuff. People are always upgrading or changing things on their TJs so it's pretty easy to find used items that could be useful. It isn't uncommon to find nice used warn winches, front bumpers, doors, skid plates. Just depends on how far out you live.

I bought a used warn zeon 10 for $500 on facebook and I don't think the owner every used it, that's over 1,000 new. Just know that not all warn winches have the same quality of built. If you are dead set on a new non-warn winch, I think many have had decent results from the harbor freight winches.

I bought the safety thimble from Wizard recovery gear and at the time he didn't have the synthetic line for sale but his prices are great and the thimble is already installed now. Grab a couple of soft shackles from him while you are at it.

I think 99/100 people on here will recommend a used warn winch over any x-bull type winch. When I was shopping for synthetic lines, I found out that a lot of the knockoff lines might perform just as good as the real deal but the reason is they are thicker than advertised. They might say 3/8" but you'll find out they are thicker when you try to wind it on the winch and it won't all go on the drum.