Believe it or not, not everyone who buys Nates4x4 bumpers intend them for recovery. We recently designed a frame tie-in bracket utilizing the three stock bumper holes, two power steering holes, and the large hole back a little further on the frame.
Pictures of our bumpers all the way around are offered to all customers, so they know exactly what they are getting at the time of purchase. Nates4x4 has nothing to hide. We have superior quality parts that don't have a "hacked together in someone's garage" appearance.
As far as my opinion on the Jeep Cherokee and Comanche's unibody design. Do people who wheel cherokees really believe that a regular truck frame is inferior to a unibody design? Cherokees are great vehicles, I drive one myself. They would be better with a real frame. But as fabricators, we do the best we can with what we have. And what we have to bolt to is stamped sheet metal.
We never make any comments like "the unibody is junk and we don't care." It's not exactly junk, just not as beefy as real 1/8" thick frame rails.
To the guy using the winch on the stock bolts - Sounds risky to me, if you're going to do it make sure everyone stands clear.
Also, to anyone who has purchased a nates4x4 bumper and needs frame tie-in brackets they are now available as a bolt-on kit. Cost, $35. Very reasonable cost but you must have purchased a Nates4x4 bumper in the past to be eligable for these brackets.
Thanks,
Nathan
Nates4x4
(989)708-9482