Inexpensive winch recommendations

[Wrench]

Hey guys,
I think a winch would be a good idea on the Cheep. Anyone have any experience with the ones from Harbor Freight? I would like to keep the cost as low as possible. Keep in mind, this is for my Cherokee, which is a pretty light rig. I dont need something that will pull a semi sideways on dry pavement.

[Grumpy]

Get hold of Ron Dunn at 4WheelingPlus.com...

[tobyw]

IMO, a winch, much like tires and brakes, is not the place to pinch pennies... Saving a few bucks and getting a 2-year replacement don't do you much good when you are a 5 mile hike from the nearest gravel road. A winch is one of those things you want to work EVERY time you need it, and not just hope for the best this time. The HF winches are a great product for non-essential use like trailers or suspension suck down, but I would strongly recommend either saving for a good quality winch, or keeping your eyes out for a used one to rebuild (Lee is the resident expert on that subject, BTW). Just my opinion, YMMV.

[Withidlehands]

Ive heard good things about that Smittybilt xrc-8

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92122_1000_07.htm

[Beep Beep]

What ever winch you buy you should see 4wheelingplus.com first. Here was one of his great deal ads: http://www.aworc.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=8576 Prices are lower than posted.
A lot of time you can get free shipping.

[Wrench]

What ever winch you buy you should see 4wheelingplus.com first. Here was one of his great deal ads: http://www.aworc.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=8576 Prices are lower than posted.
A lot of time you can get free shipping.

Wow, thanks!! I like that fact that he is fairly local, and the price point on that winch is excellent!

I am looking into the Rugged Ridge 8500 or the Smittybuilt XCR-8.

[TJDave]

I went the cheapo route when I bought mine almost 2 years ago. I was not working alot then, and could not afford a Warn. I bought the XRC8 from Ron at his 4wheelingplus website. It arrived in less than a week!

The winch sat on the front of my Jeep for well over a year with no use, except the initial token winchline stretch (with help from Danny's Jeep) at Juniper.

Then came FYBR '09!! The Smitty was used about every 100' for the whole morning until I got to the ridge overlooking where everyone else ended up getting stuck.

All in all it worked pretty well for a $299.00 winch that had been dorment for over a year. Heck, it even pulled Lee out backwards for a few feet (standard Peakputter winch initiation ritual! Kidding...)

My only complaint (other than the looks of disapproval, and the shame of owning a Chinese winch) is that it does not want to free spool very easily. I just powered the cable out. Maybe because of the cold weather, or that it is still pretty new.

[Wrench]

Called Ron, evidently they sell like hotcakes.

Gonna have to wait for the next shipment...

[Wrench]

Is the synthetic rope really worth it?

Do they even last as long as cable?

[Lurch]

Depends on how hard you are on your winch. I've broken three cables so I have been sticking with it since it is quit a bit cheaper then rope (maybe that's why my winch quit lol). Rope is much safer though. If it breaks it won't snap back and getcha. It's also alot lighter.

[SPR]

The 8500 Rugged Ridge winch has similar performance stats as the Warn M8000. I think the Warn M8000 is over priced for what you get.

Both winches have "automatice" brakes in the drums. These types of brakes don't hold well if dirty or wet. In addition, this bake style becomes hot if you "power out" the winch line (like driving with the E-brake on).

Synthetic winch line can "melt" near the spool if you power out your winch cable too often. Synthetic lines can also "plython" around the spool and crush it. May not be a problem it the line is always respooled under a load.

All that said, I have a M8000 with synthetic line. It works o.k. for the light duty stuff I put it through, but I have had problems with this setup. I don't have the room to run the Warn 8750 with steel cable or I would. Superwinch (like the one Lud has) looks real good for a light weight winch. It has an external automatic brake and a stouter spool -- seems to designed for synthetic line.

[Lurch]

Unless you have your heart set on a new winch keep your eye out and try to find a warn 8274. I've seen em for as low as $400. I have one lined up as soon as can come up with the cash.

[Wrench]

Unless you have your heart set on a new winch keep your eye out and try to find a warn 8274. I've seen em for as low as $400. I have one lined up as soon as can come up with the cash.

Now THAT would be nice! I have about $400 right now I am willing to spend on a decent winch setup.

[Lurch]

http://moseslake.craigslist.org/pts/1532610562.html

[Grumpy]

http://moseslake.craigslist.org/pts/1532610562.html

Imaculate timing there, Lurch

[scumby]

another 8274 on Cl for $350

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/1532189328.html

[TJDave]

This just showed up on TC. Warn M8000 $400.00


http://www.timbercrawler.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=43661

Prolly fit an XJ better than a big old upright.

[Lud]

If you want to buy a new mid range winch, go look at a Superwinch EPi 9500. Yeah its around 600 bucks but its pulls fast and has a lifetime warranty. In my opinion it will run with the new Warns except for the 8274 which is a beast.

I've used mine to flip over a Full Size Blazer upside down, 50 feet down in a ditch, and pull it out. The only thing limiting me was I had to stop to charge the stock battery, lol.