JK Front Bumper compatible with FRONT receiver hitch

[Deleted member 48574]

Hey Jeep Friends,

I'm looking to add a better-than-stock front bumper to my JK that will add a bit of critter protection.

I'm also medium to long term looking at a winch option. I know there are countless debates for the Receiver-mount vs. hard mount; for my needs the receiver mount makes more sense (I spend 99% of time on highways or gravel roads with only the occasional bit of rough stuff; I typically don't need major side-pulls nor do I need to worry much about approach angles as the terrain is rarely that bad. I OCCASIONALLY get stuck in mud where a road is washed out -- but when I'm not using it for adventure, my jeep is a DD for the wife and we don't need the extra 100+ lbs of a winch on all the time)

So the next part is this: I have 600 dollars worth of "stuff" to get from the dealer in terms of aftermarket accessories, so the MOPAR Off Road bumper looks like it'll be basically free to me (I won't use the $600 for anything else besides maybe maintenance).

Does anyone know if the MOPAR off road bumper (http://www.quadratec.com/products/12116_1021_07.htm) will work with a front receiver like this one: http://www.quadratec.com/products/92011_0001_07.htm

I know Olympic 4x4 offers a stubby with a built in receiver but I'd prefer more protection, so I don't really want a stubby.

Does anyone have this set up that can offer some advice?

Cheers
Craig

 

[lupinsea]

I can't speak to the JK setups as I run a TJ but I would suggest re-thinking the receiver mounted winches. I used to run a receiver mounted winch on my old Samurai and I'll never run a receiver mounted winch again...... NEVER. It just doesn't make much sense in my mind for the following reasons:


Storage and Securing Load
When not mounted on the bumper where is it stored in the vehicle? Winches and their mounting plates/receivers aren't small and it'll take up precious interior cargo room to stow the winch. Then, too, it's heavy so you'll want to make sure that it's securely locked down in the rig.

Projection / Leverage
If you plan to drive with the winch mounted in the receiver when you go out you are going to have this big "thing" sticking way out in front of the rig. I know you said approach angles aren't a big deal but you never know what situation you might come across. You could take the winch off in those situations but it's annoying. Then, too, it's not just approach angle but also making turns with this thing sticking out there. On top of that, you are then pushing all that weight further out in front which will make things even more nose heavy. Not to mention more leverage on the bumper, frame, and receiver mount during winching. Have you done much winching before? I've winched A LOT over the 15 years of offroading I've done. It's hard to remember more than a few times where I wasn't doing some kind of side pull. Maybe you can get your rig into the perfect winching position EVERY TIME to have a straight pull, but not me. And it's not something I'd want to count on. Heck, the point of the winch is often for those unforeseen circumstances, after all.

Noise / Movement
Receiver mounts aren't exactly known for their tight tolerances. So you're going to have this big heavy metal thing out front that will be rattling around. Unless you remove it and store it in the rig where you'll then be taking up interior space.

Weight
I gotta thing that the receiver mounts are going to add extra weight to the whole set up. Why not get a bumper with a built-in winch mount that likely would only add an extra 3-5 lb. in steel to a bumper vs. adding ~40 lb. for a receiver winch mount cradle. Lest we forget, that cradle / mount weight adds to the ~90 lb. winch weight that you have to lug around every time you want/need to mount the winch on the bumper. 130 lb. may not sound like much to you but it does to me. Especially for the following reason . . .

Manipulation / Emergency Use
This is my BIG bugaboo about receiver mounts. . . . unless it's going to be "permanently" mounted on the rig while offroading, it's going to be a MAJOR MAJOR pain to bust out the winch, lug it up to the front of the rig, and try and it it mounted and plugged in . . . . when you're in an emergency situation or stuck. That's not the time you want to be farting around with a clunky, awkward 130 lb. chuck of recovery gear. Oh, and lest we also forget, most of the time you'll need a winch you probably won't be on nice, stable, easy-to-walk on flat ground. I remember once time I was stuck in a mud hole with the front end of the Samurai under water (well, that back end, too) at a weird angle. Yay, it was time to get the winch out and hook it up. Trying to move that from the back of the rig to the front through the water not being able to see the mud-slicked submerged wheel ruts was not fun, not to mention trying to align the receiver under water.

Where as in similar situations since then with my Jeep I just release the engagement lever on the winch and pull out the winch line. Sooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier and safer. Trust me. You want that winch solidly bolted to your rig.

Receiver mounted winches "sound" like a good idea but they really aren't. Best just to permanently mount the winch in a winch bumper and call it a day. Sure, it adds 100 lb. to your rig but that's like driving around with half a passenger all the time. Not that big of a deal. Certainly well worth it for the safety and convenience.

Also, don't forget the extra goodies you'll need with your winch some day. My recommendation is at least:

3/4" clevis shackles (get two)
Snatch block rated to double the winch rating
10 ft tree strap
20-30 ft recovery strap w/ looped ends (no hooks)
Sturdy leather work gloves.
Handy tote bag for the above

Plus make sure you have sturdy tow-points mounted to the frame / bumper in both the front and back.