Must Have! IRO Front Winch Bumper on Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ

If you go off-road or overlanding you need to have the ability to self recover. A solid winch bumper and winch is a must have for any off-road vehicle. In this video we install and IRO hidden winch bumper and Harbor Freight Apex winch on this 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to factors out of the control of Muddy Beards 4X4, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Muddy Beards 4X4 assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Muddy Beards 4X4 recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Muddy Beards 4X4. Be safe! This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@travismerrix4391]

The bottom part of the radiator cover on the plastic bumper cover should have been fully cut out would have looked a lot better I think…….. great video as usual

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

That might be a good idea

[@UngulateGuardian797]

I completely cut off my bottom portion of my WJ and I love it. I also got rid of the fog lights because I kept catching it on rocks and brush.

[@davidpfeifer6767]

Very good info

[@thousandoaksauto1696]

Hey Robbie, great job on the bumper install! I too bought the I.R. bumper for my 2000 WJ, works great!!!

[@michaelconnolly7468]

I have their long are kit with 6" of lift on my ZJ. I absolutely love it.

[@davidtwa6265]

I appreciate your videos because there is nothing that is done half @ssed but it's still done with budget in mind

[@danielmiller166]

I have the same set up, except I did the wings and a Rough Country 12,000 pound winch. Looks great and I have used it several times pulling myself and my buddies out of holes. Well worth the money.

[@atwebb26]

Awesome video! I'm loving the WJ content! I'm a huge fan of IRO products as well, I did the full bumper and front and rear long arms.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Nice!

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

Looks pretty clean

[@germanrengifo4929]

Great job 👏

[@TxHylyner]

Been waiting super impatiently for more on this build series!!! Stoked

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Hopefully more to come

[@TxHylyner]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Just finished upgrading/ replacing all of my steering with IRO and Clayton components and pulled the trigger on the 4” IRO Long Arm kit during their Black Friday sale. Much more to come. Really enjoying the WJ.

[@lowellstokes5328]

Well done, looks nice!

[@michaeljones2960]

Badass jeep you have there, glad you are showing everyone how to enjoy these Jeep's. Not to much aftermarket parts out there for these Jeep's. Thank you for the video. Thank you for letting me know about a good company who actually makes parts for this Jeep. Just ordered the same front bumper and radiator skid plate for mine. I'm in the middle of putting gladiator axels under mine last weekend.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Wow sounds like an awesome project

[@onlygrands6260]

Awsome install video! 🤘 Love IRO products and what they offer especially for Jeep Grands ZJ and WJ. HK Offroad and D Till Fabworks are also good options for winch bumpers for WJs. 👍

[@yjsaabman]

Love seeing this! I've been working out something similar in my head for my ZJ. Nice to see such a well thought out product.

[@jonnycakes]

Honestly, it looks like a copy of the ORIGINAL WJ hidden winch mount from HK Offroad. Not sure how much thought IRO put into it... They do make some quality parts though and their other products seem to be their own designs.

[@MyBacktrail]

@@jonnycakes Thank you for that! I'm pulling my WJ engine for a rebuild and was thinking I might as well cut that cross member out to pull the engine, then put that bumper on, but the HK bumper is half the price.

[@ELJEFE-cq2xy]

Nice! Looks clean! 👍 patiently waiting for more content on your xj build

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Haha I'm working on it starting this week

[@fayceoff]

I mounted my winch control box under my battery tray. I also gutted my manual control and wired it to a switch in the cab.

[@peterbawden3864]

I know this video has been out, but I am looking at building a 2004 WJ right now and your videos are great. Just subscribed. Hope to see more soon.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Robbie. That looks badass..💪👍👍

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Agreed!

[@brianbogan3363]

Extremely relevant content

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Great Looking WJ Robbie, you are right on the IRO products they are beefy and well built!! Awesome Video!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I am really liking their stuff and the bolt on aftermarket support

[@MacsSpecialitiesProperties]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 You got that right! I did their frame stiffeners and front long arms! Wow, solid! Looking forward to more mods on the WJ!

[@inspireonex]

Nice job! Maybe add a cap or dummy plug on the hard-wired winch control outlet you installed to keep dirt out of those female pins.

[@brianhurst8862]

You asked where others remotely mounted their winch controls. I mounted mine on the header panel next to the passenger headlight . Mounted it there because it’s plastic and less chance of something shorting it out. 03 4.0L lifted 8” on 33’s. Trail Forged bumper.

[@denniswarner2150]

Well done! Keep the WJ content coming. I put the HK Offroad hidden winch bumper on my 04 Overland WJ. Very similar in construction.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I looked at that bumper but pulled the trigger on iro because of the attached skid plate

[@jonnycakes]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 HK Offroad has multiple radiator skid plate options, including a one piece "street sweeper" bumper that includes the skid and winch plate welded together.

[@MrSqueasil]

I actually love the location of the control box. Im thinking of relocating mine on my JKU rubi.

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Yeah Well done Robbie

[@northwestoff-roadopportuni7176]

Great job! Thanks

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

👍

[@liljohnsonusmc]

I like that hot air intake

[@Katrahpoe]

I mounted my winch control for the Badlands under the battery box. I also mounted the wire connector next to the passenger headlight behind the grill so that I can connect the wire controller if needed. It works great.

[@scotta8494]

Any pictures you could share?

[@Katrahpoe]

@@scotta8494 I am not sure I can add pictures to this video. I didn't take any as I installed it. That in hindsight was stupid. I should have taken them. I have some now of the finished product but kind of hard to see as I can't fit my phone into the better angles to take them. I do have a couple pics of the finished install but again they aren't great angles.

[@danielmagalhaes5739]

Awesome! Keep up!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

👍

[@bojeelll9192]

I usually like hidden bumpers over full metal especially if it it improves the look of the 4x4

[@bajasoobnut]

I need to pester my friends up that way soon and try to get up to Evans Creek again, I miss that place for sure!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Love it up there. But the road getting in is 7 miles of hell

[@bajasoobnut]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 wash outs?

[@ratfarmers]

That's a sweet setup! I watched the whole video and after I went to their website and didn't see anything like this for a XJ. I guess I'll need to get another jeep! Haha

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

That sounds like the only logical thing to do.

[@ralphvalkenhoff2887]

I’ve got my eye on the same Grand Cherokee but with a 4.0. Hopefully it’s not too bad of a dog.

[@kevinzimmerman2304]

I love the look of your jeep! I'm with you on that hot air intake, not the best for the engine.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

And cheesy. Its horrible looking lol

[@eddiebayot7504]

Good looking winch plate. I went with the HK that looks similar to that one. Great video an good looking WJ. I kept my control box an attached it to the hood latch supports. How do you free spool? I have to pull my grill off.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I really like the look of those as well. Thanks for watching

[@tedz74]

I mounted the solenoid under the passenger headlight

[@phillipmoore7283]

really like the look. Almost looks factory

[@HiroProtagonistak]

I like the look but in my experience I usually need access to the wench during my off road trips. This looks like you have to take the entire bumper off to get to it. It still look good and might be worth the risk. Just went to their site that bumper looks good with the wings.

[@jassonco]

Great stuff, but, it's a header panel or headlamp mounting panel, not bezel. When is the trail gonna be finished?!

[@TattedTommysTv]

I needs that

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

It's Christmas.... treat yourself lol

[@kylancook3477]

Remote mounted my control box under my hood close to the fuse box. Added in cab controls so I don't have to open the hood to operate.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I think that's what I want to do

[@paulezk]

WJs are my fave! I have one myself!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I am beginning to like them more and more

[@paulezk]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 I highly suggest axle swapping.. jk take offs or 1 tons

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Ya that's not the route of this rig. The stock axles will be just fine for what I want to do with it.

[@Stangzillaw302w]

I gotta say, the low pro hidden look of the IRO bumper looks sick, but idk man seems like a lot of trimming and fitting. when i do mine, im sry man i gotta go all lout and get the ARB or something similar lol

[@abrahelaguilar7886]

Nice

[@chrisvanauken2239]

Did you have a plan for the free spool lever on the winch? When I did my Trail Forged front bumper I left the control box on my winch and notched out the grill leaving myself enough space to get to the lever because I didn't want to have to remove the grill if I needed to use it.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I'm just going to leave it engaged. The Apex spools out really fast. I didn't want to cut a hole in the bumper. I was thinking of clocking the winch and just cutting a small hole in the grill to access it

[@dkwebsitedesign5479]

Do you have a recommended aluminum radiator to replace the wore out weak WJ piece that I have?

[@robertlenzen5303]

Nice info .tanks 👍🙂

[@UngulateGuardian797]

I absolutely love this style of winch mount for the WJ, but it really doesn’t work for me because I have an Apex 12k on an IRO winch cradle that I swap between my WJ and pickup when I use them and don’t want to be limited by just a winch in the front of my WJ. My plan is to make pretty much the same mount as this winch mount but make it a 2” receiver on the front and use the radiator skid plate from IRO. It’ll make it more versatile for me. Also I’m interested in how you are going to do sliders on yours. I’m looking at doing 2”x6”x 1/4” rectangular tubing with 2”x2”x1/4” supports that go to the frame and mount to a 3/8” plate and attaches to another 3/8” plate that sandwiches the “frame” rails so it disperses the stress. The center 2x2 will stick out 3” to be able to attach the winch cradle in a sticky situation. I am also going to have a 4” kickout at the front and rear of the sliders. I don’t know if I’m missing something with my ideas but that’s what I’ve come up with so far. Thanks for any feedback you have and keep putting out the great WJ content.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Sounds great. I will be doing sliders eventually but will probably be really simple. I told myself this is supposed to be an overlander and not a wheeler, but I can't resist the urge so who knows lol.

[@jeepindave5464]

Trail plug meet... trail plush. Wheeling in comfort

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Trail plush. I like that

[@elietaylor4858]

Looks great. Just cut out the radiator cover completely from the bumper . It will look great

[@MrSqueasil]

that the 5.9? also great video and install.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

No wj's came with the 4.7

[@yaironman-hv3gd]

Your wj is incredible, how many inches is it elevated?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

About 5 inches total

[@initialb5009]

i subbed because my jeep is the same colour lol. i do need a lift kit though. and a winch

[@dorsk84]

Unless it comes with them. I would swap out all hardware with Stainless or at least paint all of them, and use anti-seize. I hate having to cut and drill out bolts cause a simple extra step was not taken.

[@bamafencer12]

Badass Jeep! How do you like the winch?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I haven't gotten to use it in a real situation yet. But Kelly on this channel has absolutely used and abused his and it works great.

[@chuckrogers2581]

What state do u live in that is some beautful country!!!

[@TheHellionCrew]

Dumb question and maybe i missed it, how do you freespool the winch?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I unfortunately don't. You can cut a relief into the grill so you can reach down if you want. Aesthetically I did not want to do that. The Apex winch spools out pretty darn fast so it hasn't been a real issue

[@nate4036]

I’d consider a cap to put over the remote plug. Any hardware store should have something

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I agree. I need to put something on there

[@mp-xt2rg]

How do you get to the free spool? Or do you just have to wait 7 minutes for the line to spool out?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

You could cut a relief hole into the bumper skin, but I didn't want to. The spool out on the Apex is pretty fast. Has not been an issue

[@tylergrim7871]

Does any9ne know anything about freedom offroad lift kits just bought one not to long ago

[@88racegirl]

How do you get to free spool the winch with the bumper on ?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

You could cut out an access hole on the bumper cover but I didn't want to because it would look ugly in my opinion. But I'll just keep it engaged. The Badlands winch spools our really fast

[@OleNasty79]

Love the WJ content

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

More to come

[@OleNasty79]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 How do you switch to free spool?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

You could notch a hole in the bumper cover. But too keep it looking clean I didn't cut it out. Just going to keep it engaged. The Apex winch spools out really fast anyway

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Im with ya!

[@manuelnedo4799]

where can i buy this nice winch set?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Iron Rock offroad is the company that makes the bumper and the winch is from harbor freight

[@franklind7903]

Eight bolts .?

[@mechsupernova]

Im thinking about buy this one since Goliath sold out, does this seem like a good bumper?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Absolutely. It has been great. I have used it for recoveries several times and it's stout and in my opinion looks really good with the factory bumper

[@mechsupernova]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 awesome, thanks, great video btw.

[@mechsupernova]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 got my bumper, put a Badlands Apex 12000 winch on it, it just barely fit, I got the side pieces that have to be welded together and this thing is awesome, I love it.

[@mwallace021]

How is the access to the lever to free spool?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Right now there is none. Instructions say to cut top of bumper cover, but I didn't want to. I'm just going to keep it engaged. The spool out on the Badlands is pretty fast

[@hauptsache_4x4]

20 thumbs up

[@user-ry9ij8et6p]

Lift?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

4.5 iro lift

[@user-ry9ij8et6p]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 дякую)

[@xmo552]

Nice wheels. What are they ?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Kansei KNP's

[@xmo552]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Thanks. They look 😉👌 and they match your paint.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

They are pretty affordable, light, and hold a bead well

[@xmo552]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Nice. Thanks.

[@carlt8188]

Not a single application of anti-seize on those bolts? Not a wise decision my friend.

[@albertomarquez8547]

Nicaragua tiene que respetar la religión católica

[@nnnnnnnnnick5557]

Id want a grand Cherokee is it wasn't for the ugly rounded front end

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Haha I love the rounded lines

[@DevinDeCremer]

How about the fact that ANY 12,000 lb winch is too big for a WJ. 🤦‍♂️

[@MrSrtman18]

What size tires you running? 33’s? Nice jeep man. More more more wj content please!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Yes they are 33's

[@outsidersjoserivera1742]

I like Cherokee Jeep 👍

[@MrMrsregor]

this is nice, i wish they made this for ZJ too. but oh well, I have already planned to make one as soon i have the time, but i would buy it if they start selling them for the ZJ ;)

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

That would be sweet to see a version for the ZJ

[@MrMrsregor]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 yea and it’s nice style for xj also. I have built something similar for an xj. It was full bumper. But winch hidden behind it. I also had to cut out the cross member, but already had frame stiffeners and the heavy duty bumper