Pulling from lower in the chassis helps to pull "up" and "out" of the mud-- or ice, or whatnot. Mounting the winch higher, like it use to be, only makes it harder to winch out of a mud hole.

I agree and the radiator on the older sportsmans was low and under the winch thats why I waited and bought an xp.

 

The aluminum tubes won't last for long with the winch pulling on them. The others are right about the lower winch placement being better also.
IMO you are defeating what the engineers designed into the XP as an improvement!
If you don't switch it back it will break! JMO!