Kap

Greetings, everyone -- My friend and I had to use a scissors jack, blocks, a shovel, and -- most importantly -- a heavy-duty, manual come-along to haul my 2000 Cherokee Sport off a straddled log in an Adirondack logging right-of-way yesterday. So my question is, can I mount a winch on a unibody structure? Without a ladder frame, will the Cherokee Sport take the strain?
I'm guessing the front end isn't srong enough but maybe at the rear?
I am sure you've kicked this around before but eager to read your current opinions. Thanks.

robsjeep

Yeah, winching is a common thing to use on an xj.

most folks mount on the front, you will want an aftermarket winch bumper, that has extended mounts to allow for more mounting holes than stock, that is enough for moderate use. Some folks go further and add doublers on the frame for this, for me I havent done that, but my winch still has been useful with no damage
the rear is used for towing, but proper mounts must be used. you can buy or make reinforcement in back, I reinforced back for a heavy swing put tire carrier, I inserted 2×4x 3/16 inch square tube into the rear frame members, and welded an end piece to them to accept my bumper. it is very strong amd if I had a winch on it, it would be not a problem

So yes, with proper mounting, winches work very well on the xj.

good luck

lawsoncl

You could go with a beefy 2" receiver hitch and a winch mount that plugs into the hitch. I ran that setup on the front on my YJ for years, and just kept the winch in the back until I needed it. But yeah, I always needed to pull myself back out of the mess more often than pulling myself of further in.

Kap

Thanks, guys. Appreciated.