Jeep Wrangler Questions

[Guest Lester Weevils]

More dumb questions of which I know nothing about--

 

1-- The jeep parts companies like quadratec, they seem to want to sell replacement bumpers along with winches. I don't recall seeing any pictures of factory bumpers with winches on em. I'm not planning to do any serious off-roading on giant rocks and logs with the 2010 wrangler. Am happy with the stock bumper. However a winch might come in handy once in awhile.

 

Can a winch be firmly-enough attached to a factory wrangler bumper? Maybe that is sometimes done with just some kind of standard stiffener plate or whatever? Or do ya got to buy an expensive fancy bumper in order to solidly attach a decent winch?

 

2-- I didn't get my Jeep with a factory trailer hitch, because I kept my old astro van for hauling, and didn't expect to trailer anything with the wrangler. However, was thinking recently that the wrangler might be occasionally good for dragging things with a chain, and therefore would need some place sturdy on the back of the vehicle to attach a chain. The factory bumper has what I presume are tow hooks but haven't researched if they are heavy-duty or whether the factory hooks are mainly useful for "good looks sitting in a suburban driveway".

 

So for a good hard point on the back of the wrangler to attach a chain-- Factory tow hooks would do the job? Or have a good trailer hitch receiver installed? Or something else entirely?

 

=====

 

The application that got me thinking about it-- Am not even certain if this is appropriate for a wrangler. Would hope so, dunno--

 

I have some not-huge downed trees up the hill in the woods, and want to rip em to lumber. If I had a winch on the wrangler, or just a good chain attachment, then bucking em into 8 foot sections and dragging the 8 foot sections down the hill would make it a whole lot more convenient to whittle on em.

 

I read about "found log" lumber ripper guys dragging logs out of the woods with tractors and even ATV's, so maybe a factory-stock wrangler is up to that? Or maybe not? Any ideas?

 

Thanks!

[Wyldk2]

http://www.discountjeepparts.com/

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jeep-parts-jeep-accessories/j4s2.jcwx

 

Just a few sites i would recommend.  You can always get a replacement rear reciever hitch ( about anywhere) if you really want. For heavy duty dragging( logs) i would go with the reciever hitch and then use a hitch/hook/clevis device.

 

If an atv can haul a log out of the woods, a Jeep wrangler most definately can.

 

As for winches, I would want it reinforced on the front bumper, in other words connected to the frame. I wouldn't chance it being just to the factory bumper. Check the connections first and then go from there.

 

A winch is like having a gun, when you need one and you don't have one, you wish you had one.

 

I never had one before i got an atv, Now i wouldn'tbe without one.

 

But you don't have to have a winch to drag logs. Youprobably can get by just using the factory hooks on the front. Just make sure they are reinforced to the frame.

[Patton]

Front and rear factory hooks are adequate for most applications. I have seen some failure from the factory ones, mostly seperating the frame but the hooks are plenty strong. I have never seen an issue from the older factory center hook or hitch. Newer ones have hooks on the outside where the frame rail attaches to the rear crossmember.

Also, no issue with mounting a winch on top of the original front bumper.

[leroy]

Lester:  To mount a winch ya need a winch mounting kit.  Check this out for a winch and mounting kit: http://www.quadratec.com/showcases/quadratec_exclusive/quadratec_winch/

 

Ive got a "milemarker" (...i think, on our 2000 wrangler, never used it....).  What we use is a simplified version of this design:

http://www.quadratec.com/products/12148_100_07.htm

 

The bumpers (....front and rear...) are a great addition.  Make sure they have  pad eyes for shackles and ya wont have any problems pulling whatever ya want to pull.  Both the front and rear on our jeep are the "rock crawler" type (...they dont cover the tires, lots of people dont like that...).  I like 'em because they were short, stout, rugged and were on the jeep when we bought it from one of our ole buddies.  The best way to find what ya like is to look at Quadratec and Morris off road.  I can recommend 'em because ive bought from both of them.  They are both good companies. 

 

Lastly, remember the "jeep thing" is a "toy thing".  The prices run from mild to wild.  Decide what ya want to give for what you are looking for and buy what ya like.  Have fun lookin and let us know what ya decide to buy. 

 

leroy

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks ya'll for the great info.

 

I'm ignorant on these topics, never even seen it done. Worked construction a couple of years as a young'un, but all I got down pat was post-hole diggers and never quite figgered out a wheelbarrow. :) Somebody with a little heavy construction experience or raised on a farm would know this stuff in their DNA, but nobody ever told me about it.

 

About a year ago looked on quadratec about winches but it looked like winches were accessories for custom bumpers only. So today I found these products that might not stand up to daily use, but some of the reviewers report having success using the thangs, and surprisingly it appears I could probably figure out how to install it myself--

 

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2804-Textured-Mounting-Bumper/dp/B003NNYZZ2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_1/185-9238806-4399015#productDetails

 

http://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-97281-XRC-8-000-Winch/dp/B001CF1Y0C/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y

 

There's a local chatt place that supposedly installs a pretty good hitch receiver on a wrangler for a decent price (lots cheaper than a factory receiver). One of the local jeep dealer reps was telling me about it. I found fer sail on the web, hitch-receiver tow hooks, so maybe that would be the solidest way to get a pretty strong hard-point on the back of the wrangler without spending a fortune? It would be real discouraging to pull off one of the factory bumpers just fooling around. :)

 

 

[AMSting]

A winch plate will be fine for up to maybe an 8000lb winch.  That should be more than you need for what you are talking about doing.  It bolts across the front frame rails and gives a solid mounting point for the winch.  Use grade 8 bolts for everything.

 

The rear tow hooks shouild be fine for pulling logs.  I don't know what year yours is, so just make sure the hooks are bolted at the frame rails.  Otherwise you might bend your bumper.

 

I would also recommend looking at tow straps instead of chains, or at least use d-rings instead of the hooks on the chain.  D-rings won't slip off and fly past your head when under high tension.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks AMSting

 

Was studying more about it, and the safety thang-- Supposedly steel cable is bad news if it breaks or lets go under tension, and stretchy nylon rope with similar drawbacks. Supposedly chain is "less dangerous" but hardly foolproof in case of a break, and the non-stretch synthetic rope is about as safe as it gets but constant usage (not likely in my situation) can cause the rope to get worn on obstacles.

 

It is a neat topic of which hadn't ever thought about. Am just thinking of dragging logs maybe 12" diameter, 8 foot long, so as long as I don't do something stoopid, dunno if steel cable would be a particular hazard.

 

Have a bit of wood to practice on ripping that is easier to get to, so was just thinking how to get more convenient access to the trees that fell over in the woods a couple months ago. We've had several trees drop this year.

 

Had been wanting to rip wood to lumber for amateur woodwork purposes some years, finally got around to trying it out. Had been fixated on the equipment just for an amateur to rip an occasional log, and just now after testing the waters, noticed the issue that logs am heavy! Doh! :)

 

The hill my little woods are on is easy to walk and we have a few rough walking paths, but the jeep can't drive up there and I seriously doubt the paths are wide enough to even drive an ATV up there. When we had it fenced, the fella cleared two fence lines with a bobcat knocking down trees as he went, and some of his maneuvers were kinda scary to watch, and then when he got to the third fence run he chickened out. I would have chickened out sooner. So we just plotted as good possible straight line between trees for the third run downhill rather than risk the bobcat and driver.

 

Haven't measured, but it might be a 150 foot drag to get the logs down. Would need to put a pully on a tree and drag the logs sideways across the slope a few tens of feet, then pull em "fairly straight" down the hill on the main walking path.

 

Looks like jeep winches come with 90 or 100 feet of line, so might need some extra line to hook to the end. With a winch maybe it would be easer to watch the tension and stop if the log stops moving. I have about 40 feet by 150 feet flat down in the valley where the jeep could be driven, so if towing rather than winching, would probably need a spotter near the log, drag 30 feet with the jeep, then back up and take up slack, re-hook up the line and drag another 30 feet. Wouldn't have to buy a winch but it sounds like a bigger PITA to accomplish it thataway, and perhaps more risk of putting too much pressure on the line. Dunno nothin about it.

 

Its just in the "daydreaming" stage at the moment. Never thought about it before.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thinking more about it, this particular task might be better done by a horse or mule, rather than a machine. :)

[Wyldk2]

If you ever get a winch, I would recommend a synthetic line. Rather than cable, synthetic line won't take your head off if it breaks. It floats and is easier to work with.

 

I replaced the steel cable with AMsteel synthetic winch line a few years ago on my warn atv winch. I haven't had a problem yet. A good winch accessory kit( you can get a snatch block(pulley) and a couple clevis and be all set.

 

Also, I don't know the weight of the logs you have but you might want to anchor your jeep just to keep it from sliding( if you go with a winch). Going from personal experience.

 

And you can get longer winch line if you need it. The AMsteel stuff compacts so it may allow a winch to have more line on it.

 

I'm sure you migh be able to find someone with logging experience using mules. If not, I'm sure a couple atvs would be able to help.

[leroy]

Lester:  Any of your ole buddies got a tractor?  That could be the "least cost" option.

 

leroy

[Wyldk2]

Forgot about the tactor Idea. Medium sized tractor would be best.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks, yep synthetic line is probably the way to go on a jeep winch.

 

Dunno anybody with a tractor. I've been charmed with ATV's mainly because of all those kewl attachments you can put on em, blades, buckets, forks and such. Like tiny little tractors or cats. But if I had an ATV it would be a cold day in hell that I'd ever take it out somewhere and ride in the woods, and I don't have enough property here to make it at all practical as an at-home toy.

 

So a jeep winch goes on the "one of these days maybe soon" list, as maybe it would come in handy around the house.

 

For moving logs short distances around the back "valley" which is flat but not-smooth land, was studying up on various hand-winches and jacks as used in shops. Something in the ballpark of a shop crane or gantry crane might make it easier to wangle medium-sized logs. But the typical shop cranes might rust left out in the weather, and they would need a slightly wider footprint and maybe at least 12" tires to be useful in my situation. Maybe some monstrosity made out of pressure treated lumber would be the ticket. I just like daydreaming about stuff, though I will build a small percentage of the "castles in the air".

 

[2.ooohhh]

Truck bed crane comes to mind, possibly mounted to a small trailer set up for off road duty to tow behind the jeep.

 

[Patton]

I have mixed opinions on winches, Between them not working and breaking. Not to mention needing it on the rare. It it is mounted on the front. When you need one they are priceless. I have seen people go to pull the line out to find the winch has stopped working in the last year since they last tested it. They call the manufacturer to hear it isn't rainproof and should not have been left on the vehicle or it should have been covered. Seriously, people get told this all the time. Most of the people that have a winch use them for stuff they could just use the vehicles on power for then drive around with an extra 100lbs of winch and gear for another year. Obviously hardcore offroaders need and use a winch. I have been out and needed one but found a offroaders come along and/or hi lift jack did the trick. Otherwise I had another vehicle with or without a winch to recover me. If I ever do another one it will be a hitch mounted setup.

[2.ooohhh]

I have mixed opinions on winches, Between them not working and breaking. Not to mention needing it on the rare. It it is mounted on the front. When you need one they are priceless. I have seen people go to pull the line out to find the winch has stopped working in the last year since they last tested it. They call the manufacturer to hear it isn't rainproof and should not have been left on the vehicle or it should have been covered. Seriously, people get told this all the time. Most of the people that have a winch use them for stuff they could just use the vehicles on power for then drive around with an extra 100lbs of winch and gear for another year. Obviously hardcore offroaders need and use a winch. I have been out and needed one but found a offroaders come along and/or hi lift jack did the trick. Otherwise I had another vehicle with or without a winch to recover me. If I ever do another one it will be a hitch mounted setup.

 

You can just mount the winch to a reinforced 2" receiver. Then with a simply installed boxed hitch you can move the winch where you need it. I keep mine in the cargo box on my car hauler but it can be mounted to either of my trailers, or on to my truck/beetle. When not in use it is stored in the box both secure and out of the weather.

 

 

not my winch but an example of the method.

 

[Wyldk2]

Thanks, yep synthetic line is probably the way to go on a jeep winch.

 

Dunno anybody with a tractor. I've been charmed with ATV's mainly because of all those kewl attachments you can put on em, blades, buckets, forks and such. Like tiny little tractors or cats. But if I had an ATV it would be a cold day in hell that I'd ever take it out somewhere and ride in the woods, and I don't have enough property here to make it at all practical as an at-home toy.

 

So a jeep winch goes on the "one of these days maybe soon" list, as maybe it would come in handy around the house.

 

For moving logs short distances around the back "valley" which is flat but not-smooth land, was studying up on various hand-winches and jacks as used in shops. Something in the ballpark of a shop crane or gantry crane might make it easier to wangle medium-sized logs. But the typical shop cranes might rust left out in the weather, and they would need a slightly wider footprint and maybe at least 12" tires to be useful in my situation. Maybe some monstrosity made out of pressure treated lumber would be the ticket. I just like daydreaming about stuff, though I will build a small percentage of the "castles in the air".

 

Lester, I have less than an acre and yet i have a 650 cc outlander max( longer wheelbase) I have to trailer to ride most places. Have had to use my winch on my atv to pull my lawn tractor out of a ditch once. And pulled out a couple small trees with my winch. If you ever decide on a winch, a waterproof one is worth it's weight in gold. Like oohhh and Patton said, for light use, keep a reciever mounted one covered from the elements and it will last you a long time. Plus be ready for when you need it. Having one that is easy for you to remove makes it less a target for thieves as well.  

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Thanks, those are all great ideas. A trailer-mounted hoist might be real useful, and a receiver-mounted winch sounds real adaptable, usable for multiple purposes.

 

Haven't yet got some kind of peavey, which looks rather useful. This variant looks interesting, but maybe there is a better one--

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=pgpYzdNw1dk

 

There is also a Woodchuck Quad that sounds interesting, but can't find videos--  http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=WCT01A&catID=

Edited June 29, 2013 by Lester Weevils

[Guest Lester Weevils]

This LogRite Junior is kewl-- Like a handtruck for logs. Wish the price was a little lower, but looks like it could come in handy--

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aPgPOdCjdjw

 

And then this one for ATV's and tractors, though most likely it would work with a jeep or truck, off road?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=qsML0e2Y8EU