How to Install Winch Bumper and Winch on Jeep Cherokee XJ – Industry Mag industrymag.org

To prevent this, your winch bumper must use long mounting brackets that extend rearward along the frame rails, capturing six or more bolts per side . Many quality bumpers include these extended brackets, but you should also consider adding unibody tie-in plates or frame stiffeners. Some installers even drill through the frame to add additional bolts, or tie the bumper bracket into the steering gear box bolts for extra strength . One forum member famously secured his hidden winch mount at 19 different points along the unibody . This sounds like overkill—but when you’re winching out of a ravine, you will be grateful for every single one.