Installing a winch on your front bumper has many advantages. However, before you do so, there are some factors you have to consider. One of these key factors includes; whether the stock jeep bumper can accommodate a winch.
Contrary to popular opinion, you can put a winch on the stock Jeep bumper and you won’t run into any issues. What you need to have is a winch mounting plate.
These pass their mounting bolts directly to the frame beneath the bumper. Therefore, you can install a winch on your Jeep even without the bumper being there.
If you are researching about this, chances are, you are worried the winch may break the bumper when it’s being used. However, that’s not how car winches work.
They are bolted to the frame below the bumper and with the help of winch mounting plates, the winch should hold firmly to your car.
Does the Sway Bar Affect How a Winch Mounts?
The other thing that may be confusing you is the presence of the Sway Bar on your Jeep. The Sway Bar is often positioned behind the bumper and it will not affect how you can mount a winch. You should still be able to bolt it to the frame inside.
The only issue that may be brought about with the presence of a factory antisway bar is that the winch will have to be installed at least an inch or two forward. This however doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of how the winch operates and overall aesthetics.
Is a Winch Mounting Plate Mandatory?
If you are planning to install a winch on a stock Jeep bumper, a mounting plate is a must-have. When buying a winch for your car, it may come with the kit. But, this isn’t always the case.
Stock Jeep bumpers don’t often come with winch mounting plates. For the installation to occur, you will need to get one. When you buy a winch kit, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as this ensures you won’t run into any challenges.
While we are still on winch plates, we need to discuss the universal and vehicle-specific winch plates.
As you buy the tools needed for a winch installation, you will have to choose between these two options. Universal winch mounting plates are more popular since they can accommodate various types of winches and can be modified.
On the other hand, we have vehicle-specific winch mounting plates. You can get this from your nearby dealer. These are designed to fit your Jeep depending on the model and year of manufacturer.
Is It Advisable to Install a Winch on a Stock Jeep Bumper?
Let’s say you love the look of the stock Jeep bumper. Or your current finances don’t allow you to buy the aftermarket option. These aren’t reasons why you shouldn’t enjoy the benefits of having a winch on your Jeep.
Many Jeep owners have installed winches and winch plates on their cars and have used them for years without running into any problems.
Therefore, if you are stuck in a similar situation, just because you are still driving around with the stock Jeep bumper, that shouldn’t stop you from adding an accessory such as a winch.
Is It Worth having a Winch on a Stock Jeep Bumper?
Every Jeep model has a 4-wheel option available. However, certain models come in 2-wheel drive. These appeals mostly to individuals who prefer the efficiency of two wheels and don’t reside in areas that require powerful four-wheel drive.
Be as it may, there are certain situations where one may find themselves in need of a winch, whether you own a 2-wheel or 4-wheel jeep. If you love exploring, a winch can be a very useful accessory for your 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive jeep.
Winches come in very handy in helping you recover your vehicle when it’s stuck in mud or sand.
In most Jeeps, you will find a 9 LBS winch that is strong enough to get you out of the nastiest situations. For you to decide whether a winch is an excellent addition to your Jeep, you must understand its purpose and use.
If you never drive on bad terrains then it’s not worth it. But one thing about Jeep owners is that they are adventurists and a winch is a must-have.
How to Install a Winch on a Jeep Bumper?
Before we share with you a step-by-step guide on how to install a winch on a Jeep bumper, there are a couple of essential preparation measures that you need to take. They include;
- Upgrading the front suspension. A winch adds weight, you should upgrade the front suspension so that it can support it better.
- You need to evaluate the condition of your front bumper. It should be able to support and securely hold the winch in position. We have already seen that the stock Jeep bumper is very capable of doing that.
- As you shop for a winch, we advise you to get a full recovery kit. This entails shackles, a tree-protector strap, a winch line damper, and a snatch block. Most winch kits come with these accessories.
- Invest in a winch mounting plate. Without one, you won’t be able to install the winch. You can choose between a vehicle-specific winch mount or a universal one.
- Finally, you must upgrade your battery system. We recommend switching to a dual battery. This will ensure that the secondary battery can chip in when the primary one dies out.
Once you are done with the above measures, it’s time for you to install a winch on your Jeep bumper. Below is a step-by-step guide.
Step 1 – Preparations
This includes buying the winch and other accessories. Cleaning the bumper area and ensuring the area is ready for installation.
Step 2 – Mount the Plate
The mounting plate is what goes first. You have to identify a suitable area in your bumper where you should install the winch mounting.
Feel free to go as far up or down as you wish. Once you are sure that no wires are getting in the way, bolt the mounting plate into the base holes.
Step 3 – Install the Winch
With the mounting plate installed, fixing the winch on your bumper should be fairly easy. Place it on the plate and secure it with the bolts.
There are a bunch of configurations you can use. The most popular ones are the foot forward configuration where the mounting holes are facing forward.
The other option is the foot-down configuration where the holes face below. The configuration you choose depends on your preferences.
Step 4 – Carefully Connect the Wires
After successfully installing the winch on the Jeep bumper, what follows is the wire connection. You have to be very careful in this step because wires are very delicate.
Nowadays, most winches are electrical and the best way to power them is by using a car battery. Connecting the winch wires to the battery is fairly simple and you don’t need any special skills.
The first step is to identify the positive wire and negative wires. The negative is mostly black or brown and the positive is usually red. Find a way for the wire to move through the engine section to the battery terminals.
As you do this, ensure the wires don’t pass through heat sources or areas that experience a lot of movements such as the belts. Connect both wires to the respective terminals on the battery and ensure they are secure.
Your winch will be fully installed and you can give it a try to confirm if it’s working.
Winch vs Recovery Tracks
Winches are known for their ability to get your vehicle out of a temporary immobile situation. But it’s not the only solution. Recovery tracks are another common way of car self-recovery when one is stuck.
Allow us to explain a little bit about recovery tracks since it’s not everyone knows how these work. Sand tracks are hard plastic materials that have several gripping points.
They resemble a short road and are often used when a vehicle is stuck. You place them on the wheels and lower tire pressure, then attempt to drive on the tracks.
Compared to winches, recovery tracks require a lot of effort and aren’t as effective. Winches are easier to use and have more power. This is why they are so popular. If you are stuck choosing between these two, don’t hesitate to go for winches.
How Common are Winches in Jeeps?
Nearly every Jeep that you will see on the road features a winch. Why buy a Jeep if you don’t love spending time outdoors?
The presence of a winch on a Jeep boosts your confidence as you explore various areas since you are sure that you will never get stuck even when you are all by yourself. Because of this reason, winches are very common in Jeeps even those with stock bumpers.