There was no question the factory plastic front bumper on our '07 Wrangler had to hit the scrap heap. With plenty of aftermarket options, we went to searching for something that mounted solidly, protected the front end, was relatively lightweight, had tow points and a winch mount, and on top of all of that, it had to look good and match the JK's body lines. What we found was the Shrockworks stubby front bumper. It's made from high-strength 3/16-inch steel plate and comes standard with a 3/16-inch skidplate that protects the Rubicon's electronic sway-bar disconnect system. Two pierced and through-welded tow points, a submerged winch mount, and two light tabs are all standard features. Plus, it's completely bolt-on. We didn't have to drill or enlarge a single hole for the install, and all the necessary hardware was included.
The winch plate was installed...
The winch plate was installed loosely, followed by the bumper itself. Here, you can see the submerged winch mount. It allows use of nearly every popular winch without significantly blocking airflow to the radiator
To maximize space, we stole...
To maximize space, we stole the Warn Powerplant off one of our other project vehicles. Having a winch and an effective air pump all wrapped into one saved on engine compartment and interior real estate on our two-door JK.
We optioned on the winch-height tube ($75), two clevis shackles ($32), and the Anthracite metallic powdercoating ($120). Several other options are available, and every bumper is made-to-order right here in the U.S. We were really pleased with every detail, even down to the shipping. A hefty box and shape-conforming foam protect the bumper and its components from all but an 800-pound shipping gorilla or a nuclear blast.
The wiring for the winch is...
The wiring for the winch is best routed up the passenger side of the JK. We ran it over the top of the sway-bar disconnect mechanism, up the side of the electric fan, between the power-steering reservoir and air-filter box, and along the inner fender back to the battery. It's out of the way and well protected from anything that could damage it. The winch pump breather line was routed similarly.
The Shrockworks skidder does...
The Shrockworks skidder does a great job of protecting the expensive disconnect assembly while still maintaining as much ground clearance as possible. A Daystar winch hook isolator and Shrockworks clevises finished out the install.
The best advice we can offer...
The best advice we can offer is to follow the instructions. Assembly out of recommended order will result in a more time-consuming install. The instructions were clear and had photos. The factory bumper, plastic frame cover, and plastic skidplate were removed and tossed aside.
The Shrockworks skidplate...
The Shrockworks skidplate attaches to the front bumper, the winch, and the front crossmember. Skidplate-to-crossmember mounting was simplified by using a magnet like this to install the nuts and washers in the hard-to-reach areas. The skidplate also makes winch theft very difficult-if not impossible-should someone think they want your winch more than you.