Winch Mount on CJ

[Blackhawk1960]

My 77 CJ7 has what appears to be a winch plate already mounted in front of grill between the frame...or does it? The steering box (Manual) also bolts to this plate (from the bottom with bolts going through the top of plate). It has the same bolt pattern on passenger side (less the bolts and steering box) which I assume would be for A Passenger Side Steering model. My question is can my winch be mounted directly to this plate, (I'll have to drill the holes) it seems to be suitable to me. It's at least 1/4 inch thick and welded securely to the frame on both sides L & R. Otherwise I would be adding a winch mount plate on top of what's already there.

 

[Hedgehog]

Sorry, you have the stock plate we all have. I'm sure a winch could be mounted to it, but you'd be better off getting a proper winch mount. The plate you can get at Harbor Freight is very reasonably priced, I don't think you could get the raw metal for the price. I added side plates to bolt it directly to the frame along with the bolts that go down top to bottom mine has side to side frame bolts.

 

[PaRenegade]

Pics of what you have will help. Can't say for sure if it's stock or aftermarket or homemade your describing.

 

[IOPort51]

What kind of winch did you have in mind?

 

[Blackhawk1960]

It's stock.

 

[Blackhawk1960]

Badlands 9000 lb. I got it at Harbor Freight for $199.00.

 

[Old Dog]

Go back to HF and get the mounting plate to go with it. As hedgehog said it should bolt to the frame.

 

[Hedgehog]

- Yeah I have the 12,000lb. version. It would have been my preferance to get a Warn or Ramsey, however for $300. Wasn't going to do it, but the reviews were great. Not the fastest winch, but it rated very well. At this point I don't think it'll be used all that much, but when the going gets tough a little 12,000lb help is hard to beat. I got the winch mount for the winch. After getting it where I wanted holes were drilled to match existing holes in the frame and additional holes were drilled in the sides. Then the extra holes in the winch plate were filled to make a nice looking install.

 

[Blackhawk1960]

Looks Great.....Did you mount fairlead to bumper?

 

[Blackhawk1960]

http://www.jeep-cj.com/gallery/files/1/4/2/6/4/img_20131204_155146_657.jpg

 

[Torxhead]

Blackhawk, this might help you see how a winch is mounted to the frame.
Better yet:http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...94AE93632B0EEEEC1E359F36A1656E2F1&FORM=IQFRBA

 

[PaRenegade]

I got one from ProMark Off Road and it worked/fit very well on my 82.
Jeep Wrangler CJ Winch Mounting Plate. 50% Off Retail.

 

[Hedgehog]

I built the bumper with a notch for the fairlead. It's a detail that made a nice finished product. Forgot to mention, the winch plate needed a little elevation to sit flat on my '75. It is attached to the frame in several places, it is also attached to the bumper.

It looks like someone tried to use the front plate as a recovery point with a chain hook which took a deep bite. That should show how soft that plate is. It would be easy enough to straighten it up and welded. By the way, that plate is riveted to the frame and those rivets and holes are frequently broken or split out.