If I recall correctly the winch plates are standard and warn zeon. I installed my smittybuilt gen 3 after the bumper install. Winch plate came with bumper. And as a side note open the box from the bottom, it makes it easier to dig out the bumper.
How about going back just 2 years when fca made jk and jl models in that same year. You order a soft top and wait weeks for it to come in. The day has arrived big brown shows up and you rip into the box laying everything out. Take off your hardtop and get to work. Shits not lining up things...
Get led bulb replacement and plug them in the stock housing. Just search forum for led bulbs and make sure you get a set with a good cutoff so you aren't blinding oncoming traffic.
Why not split the rubi fenders and add aal fender bracket/light with stock suspension for 35's. Then when you swap axles you can do so with a 2.5 lift. Also didn't see mentioned if you are gonna keep a spare. If so probably gonna need a different spare tire carrior.
Maybe see what rock crawler 2.5 lift for sport/Sahara will get you. They are the only manufacturer that sell sport and Rubicon lifts separately that I know of.
Do you keep your wallet in your back pocket? If so take it out and see if that helps. Could be in just the right spot on seat to sit crooked enough to cause back pain. Worth a try.
I had a 76 cj7 Quadra Trac v-8 automatic at 16. It was a hardtop and the drivers door latch was worn out when we got it. Would randomly swing open in a curve. Would definitely keep you on your toes.
Buy them a jeep at 15 and teach them with you in the vehicle. If before they turn 16 youndont...
For me it was a whole lot easier to open the box from the bottom to remove my signature shorty. My sliders were removed from both sides of the box. Once the top one was out you couldn't even see the other one. I lifted the box to feel the weight to make sure the other one was even there.
Find the best price on wheels and tires you can. Allot of the bigger tire shops will price match for your business. I believe even the one that responded here.