[One Eyed Mack]

Has anyone installed a winch yet. If so, would you be willing to share some pictures. The expected ship date for my Rubicon is 4/26 and I plan to install a winch as the first accessory.

Thanks,

 

[silent crawler]

12k badlands winch with rival stubby bumper

 

[One Eyed Mack]

Could you show the connection at the battery?

Thanks

 

[Jeepster]

Does anyone know what I need to install the Jeep Winch on a 4xe Rubicon with the factory steel bumper?
I assume I need...
JPP Rubicon Warn winch (P5160095AC | $1,595):
JPP winch mounting kit (82215182AC | $450):
JPP grille and winch guard hoop (82215351 | $249):

Any idea how hard it is (I've watched some Youtube videos)??

Thanks

 

[Jeepster]

Also interesting that all the web sites say that winch won't fit the 4xe.

 

[Kirk]

Could you show the connection at the battery?

Thanks

I installed a Warn VR Evo 10s winch on a Rugged Ridge Arcus bumper no problems. You connect the winch to the standard 12v battery in the engine bay just like you would previous versions of Jeep. I did have to go to the hardware store to buy some serrated flanged nuts for the battery terminal studs because apparently no versions of the 2.0 liter engine (including the 4xe come with them)

 

[Shakes]

I installed a Warn VR Evo 10s winch on a Rugged Ridge Arcus bumper no problems. You connect the winch to the standard 12v battery in the engine bay just like you would previous versions of Jeep. I did have to go to the hardware store to buy some serrated flanged nuts for the battery terminal studs because apparently no versions of the 2.0 liter engine (including the 4xe come with them)

I just looked at that yesterday… I’m like, they couldn’t put nuts on the studs??? Jeez. Also, those are ground points next to the battery correct? On the wall next to the battery.

 

[Kirk]

Yeah those are ground points next to the battery for smaller accessories, but for something that pulls as much current as the winch I'd go directly to both battery terminals.

 

[Shakes]

Yep. Absolutely. Thanks.

 

[Weatherman]

Bump. I have my Rubicon apart in my driveway trying to do a Warn winch plate install. I'm not convinced that everything is lining up. I feel like there are extra bolts welded to the skid plate bracket and/or the sway bar disconnect is too far forward. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Avocado]

I have ordered the Warn winch plate and a Gen 3 x20 smittybilt winch, it should arrive any day now.

I’ll try take pictures as I install.

If any of you have photos or words of wisdom please do share.

With regards to the miss alignment, from what I’ve read this might not be unique to the 4xe (hard to say with out knowing how far out of alignment an issue you are dealing with), others have said to install everything loose and then tighten up at the end to pull everything together without fighting the alignment issues.

 

[Weatherman]

Dusk update. The winch plate is in via 4 bolts and a bunch of zip ties per instructions. Spacer plate and winch are bolted to the winch plate. Works suspended due to dark. We resume tomorrow and start on the electrical. I haven't yet figured out where I am going to run everything. That's a problem for daylight.

Today's lessons:

• Buy more zip ties. The ones they give are not enough to hold everything together and hold the winch. I already had a bag of them on hand.
• The skid plate bracket likely has a couple of nuts welded onto it. You might just be able to make everything work with those nuts, but cutting off the lower nut with a angle grinder makes life much easier.

 

[Gazelle]

I installed a Badlands winch onto a Warn plate a couple months ago. Added 1/4" spacer to lift the winch up, slightly, to allow the freespool lever to clear the bumper.

• I totally agree with having extra zip ties handy. The two Warn supplied were insufficient.
• I struggled getting the bumper studs to align to the brackets. Although not explicitly mentioned in the instructions, I found loosening all the bumper mounting brackets allowed enough play to get the bumper aligned and back in place. Having an assistant would have really helped with that step, but it can be done alone.
• Cable routing to the battery was easy. Tape the cables to a wire hanger to thread them in your desired path.

 

[Weatherman]

Done.

Some takeaways:

• Have a big bag of zip ties ready. You'll need them.
• Use a spacer plate under the winch if you want the spool knob to clear the bumped. After two months of waiting for the Poison Spider spacers, I gave up and had some custom fabricated at a local shop. Was $25 out the door.
• Get your tools ready. Everything is metric. You'll need a deep well socket set. And that Torx 45 driver has to be procured at an auto parts store.
• I don't think I'd pull the fog lights wire from the clips as directed if I did it again. When I was done, I was left wondering what I was supposed to do with it now.
• Wiring is easy if you have something to fish through the fender liner. I didn't have a good fish tape, so I ended up using a plumbing snake and zip tied the wires to the end to pull back up. Went down between the battery and fender, and ended up behind the fender line.
• Get some body clips. I broke one in the fender liner when I was removing it to fish the wires.
• Your Jeep does not come with nuts on the battery terminals to mount accessory wires. You'll want to get those in advance.
• Don't lose the clips on the bumper that you mount the skid plate into. They fall off easily.
• Widen the rear bolt holes in the skid plate before putting it back up. It's a pain in the ass once it goes on. I used a rotary file on my drill to do it while under the Jeep. Not fun.
• Remember to attach the power cables to the winch before mounting it to the plate. Or you'll end up having to take it off again.
• The license plate bracket that goes between the fairlead and bumper doesn't really provide a frame for the license plate. The one that is already on your Jeep won't work. I swapped that one for the one on my truck and it worked great. This is the one. Cheap and easy.

 

[Grimmjpr]

Looks great! I'll be installing my winch tomorrow, same winch as you, but I went with the Grimm off road mount. Supposed to be rated to 14k pounds and seemed like a good choice. Just got done prepping the winch. Looking forward to the first bigger mod. 😁

 

[Jeepster]

Has anyone installed a winch yet. If so, would you be willing to share some pictures. The expected ship date for my Rubicon is 4/26 and I plan to install a winch as the first accessory.

Thanks,

I installed a Warn 12S with an Artec mount, on the steel bumper. All was very easy except for reinstalling the bumper. The inside nuts were very difficult to tighten, as referenced in youtube videos. With the right tools I think it would have been easier, but it was a tight space. Also put a winch lock (anti-theft) nut on.

 

[PDN Sahara 29P]

Concerning battery attachment: I have used these terminals on other Jeeps, makes connecting a winch and other things very easy.

 

[Grimmjpr]

All done with the install of the Badlands Apex 12k and a Grimm off road winch mount. I did take the time to relocate the positive power wire out the side of the control box so it didn't damage the grill. I didn't need any spacers or anything and the clutch lever clears the bumper and the bolts. Very pleased how it all came out.

 

[VicRubicon4xe]

I just love the comments on the Internet. Yes, you can install a winch on a 4xe. Here’s mine On the factory steel bumper. Wires run straight to the battery

 

[Jeepster]

I just love the comments on the Internet. Yes, you can install a winch on a 4xe. Here’s mine On the factory steel bumper. Wires run straight to the battery View attachment 2299
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You may want to run the wires to a relay and use the AUX to switch the relay. Probably at a minimum would want to put a fuse inline.