Ahh I see..That might be something Jim added to next gen bumpers then..

God I'm getting grey in that picture.

I have a Warn 9.5 XP with an Optima Red Top and Mean Green alternater, but it ran just fine with the stock alty with no problem, that is until the stock alty spent a fair amount of time under muddy water. The winch didn't kill it.

So X number three is going to be grey, then?

That may be the way to go, but I'm thinking orange.

So another quick thought popped to mind.

Is everyone pretty much just using the three single shear mounting points? Is that holding up okay for those who winch a lot?

Over the years here I seem to remember some conversations about adding a fourth bolt, changing over to double-shear set-up, etc. but in some quick poking around didn't come up with the info.

Years ago on my Ramcharger I changed from a 3 to a four-bolt set-up all run through the frame double-shear style, just in the interest of everything being as beefy as I could make it.

Any advice as to if this would be a good idea or just a waste of time?

I'm still running the original holes.I never added any extra on mine and I've winched numerous times.I've even winched a Titan up a steep hill with no problems.

Scott, I thought Yellow and Blue make GREEN.

oh..
I have a MM E-8k winch when it first came out for $300 plus $25 shipping.
Took the extra money and put it into Masterpull synthetic line 125'x5/16" with self clasping latch, rock guard and heat guard, alum. hawse fairlead.,etc..

Did the custom "clutch access" mod to the top of my ARB (big hold cut in it) as opposed to rotating the winch when installing it.

Optima red top, extended power cables for winch.
Nissan Quest alternator, lifetime warranty at Autozone.

The setup works great, for the past 4 1/2-5 years. Here is an old pic.

BTW..
You might want to look into the Milemarker E-8000 winch..
http://www.costco.com/Brow se/Productgro...8255&Ns=P_Price

Costco has it for dirt cheap and can be returned to Any costco location.

Wow, that is pretty dirt cheap.

Just out of curiousity, those with synthetic line, how do you spool your line? I was told from a few different sources to spool it tight but sloppy. Meaning, don't spool it nice and neat back and forth. The reason I was told this is becuase the synthetic line can slip between the strands below it under load and deform the line.

What do you guys thing?

I have spooled up my synth. line neatly under tension and loose.
I lean towards neatly spooled because I have 125' of line vs. the 100' that came with the winch. I havent had a problem yet with it getting tangled or crushed when winching or unspooling.
I always freespool to get the cable out. I've never had to power-out the line.
I would think that if you arent careful spooling the line back in, it will eventually get tangled or build up too much on one side of the drum and cause issues.

BTW..
If you want Masterpull winch line, let me know.
It's a good discount.
Others here have had good results with it.

I have spooled my Amsteel both ways and havn't had a problem either way yet, but was kind of wondering what others have done. I too have 125' of 5/16" line and to not spool it nice and clean you have to watch to make sure you don't get too large in one spot and start rubbing the inside of the bumper.

I'll keep you in mind when I buy synthetic line for the Jeep.

I just got back from looking at some Warn winches at the local 4wheelers supply here in phoenix.I was thinking of going with the 9000i portable until I finish building my own front winch bumper. Probably model it after the calmini design with a few of my own changes. My wife isnt really keen on getting rid of the front bumper or those horrible stock nerf bars but IMHO they got to go. She is dead set against a different roof rack but I think shes coming around to the bumper and sliders.
Been looking for some way to get unstuck with a winch in a situation of there being no trees or rocks or other vehicles to hook to. Just mud and dirt, such was the situation we were in around Chaco Canyon when the rains washed out the roads. Didnt get stuck but if we did we would have been camping their for a good long while until someone came by.

Pull Pal

I'm running a WARN M8000, Optima Yellow Top, and a Nissan Quest Alternator...no problems, and can run the 4 roof lights, 4 IPFs on the ARB, and use the winch with no issues.