Aluminum is just as strong as steel if it is properly sized. The distance between the frame mounting points isn't that large so the bumper doesn't needs to be all that stout. My ARB is made of pretty thin steel and it works just fine. There are plenty of threads about these bumpers online where they have been used for winching duties. They are pretty unique in that the winch is installed upside down when compared to most applications, with the motor on the Driver's side and the cable coming off the top of the drum.

 

Just an update, after much debate I decided to just mount the winch feet-forward directly onto the bumper. The mounting points are only about 5" from where the bumpers primary mounts to the frame rails are so it seems like the leverage exerted on the aluminum will be minimal. I also like the idea of feet forward mounting as opposed to feet-down mounting like my custom bracket plans would have required, seems like I'm much less likely the sheer a bolt that way. The existing bolt pattern on the bumper was also an exact match to the Badlands Winch pattern so no drilling or further stressing the bumper. Tested it out by pulling a couple beat up wrecks at my buddy's ranch across some gravel (their drivetrains were seized so it was literally dragging them), no apparent strain on either the winch or the bumper. Also upgraded all the bolts from grade 8.8 to 9.8 just to be safe. Now I just need a better battery, the old Energizer battery that came with the disco is pretty beat up.