Winch Bumper to Frame Connection (1 Viewer)

[1989FJ]

I couldn’t decide which forum was the best venue for this question, so I’m giving it a shot here. I just picked up a new Comeup winch to replace an early 90’s steel cable Warn.

While removing the old winch, I got to looking at how the bumper mounts to the frame. It’s 4 bolts, with a piece of angle iron bridging between the bumper and framed. The angle iron is welded to the bumper.

I’ve got the bumper off to repaint it, so if I’m going to reinforce it, now’s the time.

Am I over thinking it?
What would you do it this was your winch bumper?

 

[AirheadNut]

I would definitely reinforce that. Were there no bolts in the upper brackets that mount to the sides of the frame?

 

[AirheadNut]

For reference, this is how the ARB bolted to my 70 frame originally, two bolts on the side and one on top:

I wasn't happy with that connection, so I added a piece on to take advantage of the other two captured nuts in the frame:

In addition, I welded a bar into the bumper between the frame mounts as an additional winch mount (the factory winch has threaded holes in the front face as well as the bottom).

 

[1989FJ]

@AirheadNut Thanks for the second opinion, reinforcing seems like the way to go. Those reference pics are helpful, I’m thinking I should add some steel to try and get bolts in as many factory frame holes as possible. I could also drill out the rivets for the factory bumper brackets and add bolts there as well.

I should also add some more solid recovery points to the bumper, but I’ll have to give that more thought.

With this winch/bumper I can mount foot down or foot forward, any thoughts on which would be better?