You can enhance the offroad capabilities of your Jeep, by adding a winch. However, many Jeep owners wonder if it’s possible to install a winch on their stock bumper. The good news is, in most cases, it is possible to mount a winch on a stock Jeep bumper with the right equipment and installation techniques.
Hang on tight as we’ll dive deeper into the process of installing a winch on a stock Jeep bumper and discuss some important factors to consider before doing so.
Can You Install A Winch On A Stock Jeep Bumper
If you’re wondering whether you can install a winch on stock Jeep bumper, the answer is yes! While some believe it can’t be done, it’s actually possible with the help of a winch plate. With this simple addition, you can easily install a winch without any hassle.
Many Jeep owners have successfully installed a winch plate on their stock bumper, and there have been little to no problems reported. One of the biggest concerns when using a winch on a stock bumper is the risk of damage, but a winch mounting plate attaches directly to the frame behind the bumper, eliminating this risk.
Another advantage of using a winch plate with a stock bumper is that it helps you save on weight and is an economical option for weekend wheelers. With the right tools and techniques, you can install a winch on your stock Jeep bumper and enjoy all the benefits that comes with it.
How To Install A Winch On A Stock Jeep Bumper
Installing a winch on a jeep stock bumper is possible by using a winch plate. This eliminates the risk of the bumper facing any damage when the winch is used. By using a winch plate with a stock bumper, you can save on weight and it’s also economical. This method is good enough for weekend wheelers. In this segment, i’ll give you step by step process of how to install a winch on a jeep stock bumper.
1. Removing the Jeep Bumper
So the first thing to do is remove the jeep bumper. Unscrew all the nuts that are connecting the bumper to the frame and disconnect the fog lights.
Watch this video to learn how you can safely remove your bumper.
2. Installing Winch Plate
There are two types of winch mount available, a frame winch mount and a bumper winch mount. It is better to use a frame winch mount as the stock bumper can’t hold as much pulling weight.
Installing a winch plate usually involves sliding it under the frame rails and bolting it in.
But depending on your jeep model and the winch plate you choose the mounting process could slightly vary. The bumper might need some fabricating or customizing but it’s nothing to worry about. You can find tons of tutorials on the internet to show you the detailed process of mounting the winch plate you buy for your jeep.
3. Install Winch Fairlead
The fairlead is what guides the rope into the winch. It’s mounted to the winch plate by bolting it in. Again this process can vary depending on the type of winch you get. Some fairleads are mounted to the bumpers and others are fitted to the winch plate.
4. Install Winch
Next you need to wire up the control box to the terminals on the winch.
The wires are usually color coded and can easily be wired up. The other terminals are connected to the battery. The winch is then bolted down to the winch plate.
5. Testing the Winch
Keep in mind to check everything is connected properly and the winch functions properly.
6. Install Jeep Front Bumper
The last step is to reinstall the jeep bumper that we removed earlier.
Voila! You have successfully installed a winch to your jeep.
Check out this video for visuals on how to do the whole thing.
Why Do You Need A Winch On A Jeep?
Off roading is fun. It can be even more fun with a Jeep. Off-roaders commonly face the problem of their vehicle getting stuck on mud, sand or water. Winch is the friend you want by your side in such situations.
Why you need a winch :
- Allows you to unstuck your vehicle safely.
- Winches are incredibly stable, providing very steady motions.
- Easily climb a rocky slope.
- Pulling your buddies out of mud.
- You’ll be able to confidently travel off-road on your own.
Do You Need A Special Bumper For A Winch
It’s not really a necessity to go out there and buy yourself an aftermarket bumper for a winch.
All you need is a durable bumper to which you will be attaching your winch plate to.
You really have three options here.
- If the stock bumper is rated for and designed to accept a mounted winch, you can use the existing one.
- Another approach is to go for an aftermarket bumper. Having a dedicated off-road bumper will give you the advantage of extra recovery points. Some bumpers include winch mounts, clevis hooks, or shackles to help you get out of dangerous and difficult situations where you may need to be towed.
- As the third option you can hire a welder to make a customized winch mount and bumper for your jeep.
How Thick Should A Bumper Be For A Winch
Things can get very confusing as there are so many options out there for bumper upgrades.
The appropriate thickness of steel bumper to sustain a winch is between 3/16” and 1/4”. Connecting winches to 1/4″ sections of bumper is preferrable.
What Size Winch Should You Put On a Jeep
An off-road enthusiast will definitely face the problem of picking the right winch for their jeep.
It’s a difficult task as there are loads of options to pick from. However it is suggested that the winch should be powerful enough to pull at least 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle.
Best winch Size >= gross vehicle weight (GVW) x 1.5
If your vehicle is already equipped with different kinds of mods like wheels, tires, bumpers or any other kind then you should factor in the weight of those mods along with the gross vehicle weight before multiplying by 1.5.
While picking your winch you have probably wondered, can you put a winch on any bumper?
Bumpers must be capable of evenly distributing the load that the winch will be hauling. Make sure that the Bumper has enough space to accommodate the winch. It’s crucial to ensure that the bumper is strong enough to handle it.
FAQ
Installation costs could be as high as $200. None, if you do it yourself.
Depending on capacity, type, and brand, a winch would cost from $300-$900 and up.
A winch is usually put in or on the bumper and not on the top.
It can be done with or without removing the bull bar depending on your mounting style.
To find out the winch size for your vehicle, multiply the gross vehicle weight by 1.5.
A two-door wrangler weighs around 4,500 lbs. So any winch with a capacity of 6,750lbs or higher will suffice.
Final Thoughts
Any jeep should have a winch, whether it’s mounted on a winch mount or attached to an aftermarket bumper. Consider how often you will be using the winch while deciding how you want it to be mounted.
If you love the look of your stock bumper and want to keep it, a winch mount is a solution. This is a more economical way of enjoying the advantage that comes with adding a winch to your jeep.
An aftermarket bumper is recommended for best efficiency, however, if you won’t be using the winch very often, putting it on a stock bumper will do just fine.
