Winch plate for JK stock bumper

[bluehash]

Hello All,
Thought it would be a good idea to ask here first, before I went ahead and bought one for my JK '13. The winch is an XD9000.
Do you guys have any recommendations? I know Harbor Freight has one for ~50, but needs a lot of modifications.

or would it be a good idea to invest in a bumper from the getgo.
Thanks!

 

[shays4me]

I had a Warn winch plate on mine and it worked great. I'd bought it used with a Warn winch and planned to use it until I could get a bumper. I pulled it off last weekend after a year and installed a bull bar. I used the winch plate from an early JK and it worked great, I just had to move the vacuum pump. If you can find a used one for a decent deal it would be worth your while. Mine's for sale, but shipping would probably be a killer.

 

[bluehash]

Thanks... I'm certainly on the look out for a second hand one.

 

[wanabxtrm]

I have one already notched for the stock bumper hidden winch mod if your interested. I have a stock spare bumper to go with it too if your afraid of cutting into it and want/need a backup. Long story short I ended up finding some used aev bumped cheap and never finished the hidden winch install. If you don't know what I'm talking about google it on jk forum or similar. I'm in NJ, but moving in a month and need to get rid of the stuff anyway.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Has anyone used the Hardrock one? It only attaches with two bolts. Not sure how strong that is.

 

[shays4me]

Has anyone used the Hardrock one? It only attaches with two bolts. Not sure how strong that is.

That's a novel idea, but I'd hate to depend on it, especially if I was in a bad situation and needed to pull any way but straight on.

 

[bluehash]

I have one already notched for the stock bumper hidden winch mod if your interested. I have a stock spare bumper to go with it too if your afraid of cutting into it and want/need a backup. Long story short I ended up finding some used aev bumped cheap and never finished the hidden winch install. If you don't know what I'm talking about google it on jk forum or similar. I'm in NJ, but moving in a month and need to get rid of the stuff anyway.

Thanks for the offer wanabxtrm. I have seen the hidden winch idea. The only thing that is keeping me away from that is if the winch is bogged in mud and also maintenance. Can I just use your winchplate to mount it topside? I have a warn XD9000 btw.

 

[Longtallsally]

That's a novel idea, but I'd hate to depend on it, especially if I was in a bad situation and needed to pull any way but straight on.

It's worked perfect for me with multiple uses.

It's been on there for about 2 years now and I've pulled myself out of a couple spots (including a couple non-straight pulls), pulled a foot diameter tree out of the way on the trail (actually snapped it), and most recently just some simple 30 year old dug in shrubs in our front yard for removal.

So I guess what I'm saying is, I depend on it just fine. Simple install with no relocation of anything.