Winch plate recommendations

[cgr]

Thanks for letting me know that. Mopar was one of the ones I was looking at.

For the love of all things good - do NOT go with the mopar winch plate. Logical thinking would indicate that staying mopar would be the safest way to go - NOT!!!! I went with the mopar only to have to drill four new holes through the steel plate to properly line up with the winch. Long story short - after finally getting everything installed, I needed to remove the front bumper for a final adjustment only to find that the bolts for the plate after torquing were long enough to prevent the bumper from being removed. Then came the sawzall to cut the extra length off the plate bolts. Not to mention at most 1/16 of an inch clearance between the winch and the grill. Hope this helps.
Chris

 

[JLK392]

For the love of all things good - do NOT go with the mopar winch plate. Logical thinking would indicate that staying mopar would be the safest way to go - NOT!!!! I went with the mopar only to have to drill four new holes through the steel plate to properly line up with the winch. Long story short - after finally getting everything installed, I needed to remove the front bumper for a final adjustment only to find that the bolts for the plate after torquing were long enough to prevent the bumper from being removed. Then came the sawzall to cut the extra length off the plate bolts. Not to mention at most 1/16 of an inch clearance between the winch and the grill. Hope this helps.
Chris

Yes it does very much. I’m surprised a Mopar product would suck that bad. Noted. Thanks.

 

[Mouse]

I got the Grimm plate from NorthRidge4x4, the reason I went that way is because it has large openings that should allow mud and debris to fall through instead of packing in around the winch. I also live in Maine so in the winter I’m hoping snow and ice will not freeze in around the winch as well. I have a Warn Zeon 12s on order but haven’t seen it yet.

 

[JLK392]

I got the Grimm plate from NorthRidge4x4, the reason I went that way is because it has large openings that should allow mud and debris to fall through instead of packing in around the winch. I also live in Maine so in the winter I’m hoping snow and ice will not freeze in around the winch as well. I have a Warn Zeon 12s on order but haven’t seen it yet.

That’s good thinking about the larger openings. I hadn’t thought about that.
I’m headed to Maine in September. My first time. I’m really excited!

 

[Mouse]

That’s good thinking about the larger openings. I hadn’t thought about that.
I’m headed to Maine in September. My first time. I’m really excited!

September should be good time to visit Maine, most of the summer crowd will be gone so the coast will be less crowded and the bugs should all be gone if you go out in the woods. I live further north, on the Canadian boarder. Even gps can’t find my little piece of heaven. Try the maple syrup and seafood, Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[JLK392]

September should be good time to visit Maine, most of the summer crowd will be gone so the coast will be less crowded and the bugs should all be gone if you go out in the woods. I live further north, on the Canadian boarder. Even gps can’t find my little piece of heaven. Try the maple syrup and seafood, Hope you enjoy your stay.

Thanks. We'll be in Portland. Hubby looking forward to the lobster. Your little piece of heaven sounds amazing!

 

[cgr]

Yes it does very much. I’m surprised a Mopar product would suck that bad. Noted. Thanks.

Exactly! I think mopar just assumed 392 equaled JL. I had actually heard/read that a little grinding was required with the warn plate which is what caused this exact line of thinking to go with the mopar. It's not like I just did this project, but it obviously left an impression - LOL!
Chris

 

[Mouse]

Thanks. We'll be in Portland. Hubby looking forward to the lobster. Your little piece of heaven sounds amazing!

bacon wrapped scallops, baked not deep fried absolutely puts lobster to shame. I worked construction in Portland for a year, 8 Corners Pizza and Becky’s Diner were my favorites. Thats just my opinion though, I accept no responsibility lol.

 

[JLK392]

bacon wrapped scallops, baked not deep fried absolutely puts lobster to shame. I worked construction in Portland for a year, 8 Corners Pizza and Becky’s Diner were my favorites. Thats just my opinion though, I accept no responsibility lol.

Thank you for the recommendations! I will try both of those places out. I'm a foodie!

 

[JLK392]

Exactly! I think mopar just assumed 392 equaled JL. I had actually heard/read that a little grinding was required with the warn plate which is what caused this exact line of thinking to go with the mopar. It's not like I just did this project, but it obviously left an impression - LOL!
Chris

I know exactly what you mean. Thanks for the heads up. I'll cross that one off the list.

 

[Anayanation Auto: YT]

I thought I didn't need a winch, but after we started down some very muddy mountain trails this morning, I turned around thinking there's a good chance we'd get stuck coming back up, as I was already sliding around a little. I probably won't use it, but I think it's best to purchase one for peace of mind. I'm looking at a Warn Evo 10-S winch b/c I like the low profile. But I need recommendations for a winch plate. I've noticed sometimes the installs on 392s are just a little different than the standard JL's (I'm looking at you, redline hood struts), so I want to make sure the winch plate I order will work with a 392 factory steel bumper and this particular winch before I order. Anyone got any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.

I have the same winch you’re looking to get and have the factory steel bumper and had to buy the warn winch plate mount.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

I have the same winch you’re looking to get and have the factory steel bumper and had to buy the warn winch plate mount.

Looks much better with the front bumper skid plate removed!

 

[22 392]

Looks much better with the front bumper skid plate removed!

How much does the skid plate weigh. I might just can mine.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

How much does the skid plate weigh. I might just can mine.

Not much. I'm keeping mine. Had it off to remove the bumper when I switched out the gold tow hooks.

 

[Smess]

Maximus 3 leaves the most room for the wires so they aren't pinched against the grill. also has optional feature with the wing plates that cover the wiring.

For those of u that like Mopars new bar like this the maximus version is less money and is 2.5” vs 2 so big appearance difference

Rigid Adapt XP fits like a glove, Bajas dont work with this bar unless you get LP 4’s

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

How much does the skid plate weigh. I might just can mine.

I’d guess about 10 lbs… the JCR skid plate looks better and I’ve been thinking about getting it.

 

[Smess]

For the love of all things good - do NOT go with the mopar winch plate. Logical thinking would indicate that staying mopar would be the safest way to go - NOT!!!! I went with the mopar only to have to drill four new holes through the steel plate to properly line up with the winch. Long story short - after finally getting everything installed, I needed to remove the front bumper for a final adjustment only to find that the bolts for the plate after torquing were long enough to prevent the bumper from being removed. Then came the sawzall to cut the extra length off the plate bolts. Not to mention at most 1/16 of an inch clearance between the winch and the grill. Hope this helps.
Chris

Thanks, now I know why my winch only had two bolts in it and it was built for the owner of the dealership.

 

[Mouse]

I got the Grimm Winch plate mounted today and the plate fit great. It is all one piece of thick plate and came with new hardware. I definitely like the open holes, debris should not collect around the winch and when I wash the Jeep it will drain nicely.
I installed a Warn Zeon 12s and it was tight. I had to trim 1/4 inch off the top of the inside bumper tabs. The warn evo series winches are not as long as the zeon, if I had to do it again I’d go with the evo.

 

[Smess]

That design is going to allow all the water and debris to come up (depending on the model) right on to the electrical wire terminals.

Might not be an issue with the Zeon but an evo would not be good.

 

[Mouse]

That design is going to allow all the water and debris to come up (depending on the model) right on to the electrical wire terminals.

Might not be an issue with the Zeon but an evo would not be good.

The lower skid covers the bottom of the plate, anything coming up from the ground has to get past the skid first. If the Jeep is submerged in mud deep enough to burry the plate then all winch plates will be filled with mud regardless of manufacturer. The reason I liked this one is after a ride and the possibility of crud in the winch area it will be easy to wash out.
I have a Rugged Ridge bumper on my JK and the winch sits in a pocket that only had 2 small holes 3/8 on each side. Similar set up on the rear. I was always digging leaves, small stones and muck out of that pocket and they would fill with ice in the winter. Over the winter last year I pulled my winches off to clean and lube the planetary gears and under both winches was packed with nasty splooge that was rusting my bumpers and corroding the cases on the winches. I couldn’t see that nasty mess from the top but I had assumed that it was clean because I washed them out often. After servicing the winches I drilled two 2 inch holes under each side of the winches. Now they no longer fill with rain water because the holes don’t plug as easy and I can rinse them out and see that nothing is stuck under the winches.
I understand your view on this, respectfully this is my view. is it better to possibly get debris under the winch and easily be able to wash it out or have a slightly lesser chance of getting debris under the winch and needing to pull the bumper and winch to clean it. As tight as the JL bumpers fit around the winch there is not much room to get in there and clean effectively.
The power cables for the VR are on the rear of the motor so debris build up around them should not occur because the plate drops off directly behind the winch, there is no lip on the rear of the plate to hold in material, the plate is bent down in the rear to form the lower mounting points.
I am not saying this is the perfect winch plate because I have only had it for one day, only time will tell.