Best shop/brand/solution for economical winch purchase and install (2018 JLU)

buckallred said Last I checked, Smittybilt or Harbor Freight winches are "good enough" for occasional use and generally represent good value. That said, I really want a one-stop shop just to drop the thing off and have it all installed and done. What shop is our favorite these days? 2018 JLU, formerly of the Olof clan.   He does have the plastic bumper, so I would either need some sort of a winch plate or I guess a full aftermarket bumper. Quick look online suggests an aftermarket bumper is 300 bucks. I'd obviously prefer to do something cheaper if possible. Also, I don't know if the shop would care if I buy the winch off Amazon or Harbor freight and bring it to them... And yes, I yet again spaced on the meeting last night. One of these days, we will make it. Until then, I need to get Addy's Jeep up to the club requirements . . .  even with a Chinese winch. Thank you!   

You could have had your choice between a lot of bumper and winch options in the parking lot while we were in the meeting last night.

I have a Smithybuilt, and have not had any issues with it (although I have not used it a ton). My experience with 4wheel Parts website was terrible. As for mount options, maybe you can get lucky and someone will have a take off bumper you can pick up for a reasonable amount?

I haven't had any issues with my Rough Country winch on my Rough Country bumper that I put on myself. I have used the winch twice in the last year with no issues. Put the winch on yourself and save some money. I know Rough Country is not the best but it's working for me so far.

Hey Buck.  The Smittbilt winch is a little narrower than the Warn so it fits better on most bumpers.  I have both the Smittybilt X20 on the TJ and Warn Zeon 10S on the JK. Just buy the bumper and winch and come across the street and install it at my house.  I have everything short of welding tools.  The Warn is definitely made better as my Smittybilt connector to the winch fell apart after a couple of uses.  Was able to glue everything back together.

Sloguy said Hey Buck.  The Smittbilt winch is a little narrower than the Warn so it fits better on most bumpers.  I have both the Smittybilt X20 on the TJ and Warn Zeon 10S on the JK. Just buy the bumper and winch and come across the street and install it at my house.  I have everything short of welding tools.  The Warn is definitely made better as my Smittybilt connector to the winch fell apart after a couple of uses.  Was able to glue everything back together.   

Awesome, thank you, this is the correct answer. Now I just need to figure out how to buy the winch and bumper without my wife figuring it out...

Looks like a bumper is damn near $1,000. I guess no one ever said this hobby is cheap...

As John said, a winch is a perfect DIY thing. Watch marketplace for used bumpers, especially factory steel ones you can add a winch plate to. And used name brand winches aren’t a terrible idea either. I will take a 80s-00s M8000 and rebuild it over any of the new cheap winches any day.

As this is a daily for a teenager I will stress the importance of running a winch isolator. I might have a battery disconnect and short piece of battery cable I can crimp up for you. Last thing you want is a little fender bender to ground out a #00 cable direct to battery hot and start a 500amp shower of sparks.

Does your jeep have the steel bumper group?  Most economical is to look for a used steel bumper that has the winch adapter.  You can buy most any lower end winch.

I have no problem doing a work party where you buy food in exchange for labor.  If you don’t have the tools, I do, among others in the club.

Install is pretty easy and your kids could learn from this as well.

buckallred said

Sloguy said Hey Buck.  The Smittbilt winch is a little narrower than the Warn so it fits better on most bumpers.  I have both the Smittybilt X20 on the TJ and Warn Zeon 10S on the JK. Just buy the bumper and winch and come across the street and install it at my house.  I have everything short of welding tools.  The Warn is definitely made better as my Smittybilt connector to the winch fell apart after a couple of uses.  Was able to glue everything back together.   

Awesome, thank you, this is the correct answer. Now I just need to figure out how to buy the winch and bumper without my wife figuring it out...
Looks like a bumper is damn near $1,000. I guess no one ever said this hobby is cheap...
  

Simple.  Snag the Costco rebate check and go into the store and cash it. Hopefully you can get parts locally.

Kris brings up a good idea to have a winch isolator.

Here is a link to an old thread in which we discuss this.  I have an isolator on both my TJ and JK. Jeff Root has one in his TJ, and Jamie may have forgotten but he has one in his JKU 😛

https://posse4x4.org/forum/fabrication-talk/winch-power-interrupt-winch-safety-feature/

This is the interrupt solenoid I bought for both Jeeps

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W2ND3K/ref=sw_img_1?smid=A2QLPOGJ3GYGIE&psc=1

Wire from battery to solenoid.  Figure out placement first to know what length to buy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DNZJ29BT/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A15Q55DNQO95K1&th=1

Plus a switch to turn the solenoid on and off. The trick is remembering that you have to turn the solenoid on in order for the winch to work, ask me how I know, or John can tell you for me 😀

BKGM Jeepers said Does your jeep have the steel bumper group?  Most economical is to look for a used steel bumper that has the winch adapter.  You can buy most any lower end winch. I have no problem doing a work party where you buy food in exchange for labor.  If you don’t have the tools, I do, among others in the club. Install is pretty easy and your kids could learn from this as well.    

I have no idea about the steel bumper group. Here's a picture.

Great idea about the isolator switch. Never thought about that, but could prevent a terrible mess.

buckallred said

BKGM Jeepers said Does your jeep have the steel bumper group?  Most economical is to look for a used steel bumper that has the winch adapter.  You can buy most any lower end winch. I have no problem doing a work party where you buy food in exchange for labor.  If you don’t have the tools, I do, among others in the club. Install is pretty easy and your kids could learn from this as well.    

I have no idea about the steel bumper group. Here's a picture. 
Great idea about the isolator switch. Never thought about that, but could prevent a terrible mess.
  

Steel

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215121ab.html

Not Steel

https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-front-bumper-6bu44rxfab?origin=pla

Sloguy said

buckallred said

BKGM Jeepers said Does your jeep have the steel bumper group?  Most economical is to look for a used steel bumper that has the winch adapter.  You can buy most any lower end winch. I have no problem doing a work party where you buy food in exchange for labor.  If you don’t have the tools, I do, among others in the club. Install is pretty easy and your kids could learn from this as well.    

I have no idea about the steel bumper group. Here's a picture. 
Great idea about the isolator switch. Never thought about that, but could prevent a terrible mess.
  

Steel
https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215121ab.html
 
Not Steel
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-front-bumper-6bu44rxfab?origin=pla
  

Okay even I understand this. The existing bumper is plastic...

buckallred said

Okay even I understand this. The existing bumper is plastic...

You should complain to the previous owner.😀

FYI: Mr. Root kindly forwarded me a harbor freight coupon for the 12k synthetic line winch for $529.99. The guy at the store told me it's going to be on sale in like 3 weeks for 470.

In case anyone else is looking!

buckallred said FYI: Mr. Root kindly forwarded me a harbor freight coupon for the 12k synthetic line winch for $529.99. The guy at the store told me it's going to be on sale in like 3 weeks for 470.  In case anyone else is looking!   

Love mine

That’s the one I have, great price!

It's a drive but this might work.  Bumper with harbor frieght winch for $500.  Looks like it is in napa

Chris Campbell said It's a drive but this might work.  Bumper with harbor frieght winch for $500.  Looks like it is in napa   

I believe the Mojito Jeep is a JLU?

If so, I'm not sure that bumper would fit.

BKGM Jeepers said

Chris Campbell said It's a drive but this might work.  Bumper with harbor frieght winch for $500.  Looks like it is in napa   

I believe the Mojito Jeep is a JLU? 
If so, I'm not sure that bumper would fit.
  

JLU, correct . .  . I think I'm going to pick up the winch and then figure out a bumper later.

My bad, I just saw the 2018 part and didn't pay attention to the specific model.

Chris Campbell said My bad, I just saw the 2018 part and didn't pay attention to the specific model.   

It is ok, we understand that you are a Bronco person and the Jeeps are a little different.

Chris Campbell said My bad, I just saw the 2018 part and didn't pay attention to the specific model.   

not that I believe everything that i read on the internet, but it looks like a front JK bumper does fit a JL but not the rear.  It sounds like the bolts line up, but it needs some minor trimming of the bumper to not rub the grill depending on how the aftermarket bumper was made.  I'm just used to modifications in order to make things work.  I have an XJ bumper on the front, and a JK bumper on the rear.  Bronco specific stuff is just to darn expensive.