Which Winch?

[Mudderoy]

The JCR Offroad winch bumper comes in today, and well eventually I'm going to want to buy a winch.

I have what I consider to be a good winch, not quite a Warn, but good quality.

I think I can cheap out on this winch. What do you guys think a good winch for the TJ would be. Nice balance between cheap and functional?

[graverobberjk]

I have been looking at the smittybilt X20 8 for my JK the specs on it look good, only draw back is that its $399.99

[Mudderoy]

I have been looking at the smittybilt X20 8 for my JK the specs on it look good, only draw back is that its $399.99

Yeah that part sucks. I have a SuperWinch epi 9.0 on my XJ and I got it for $499 and free shipping. Can't get that now of course, if I could I would just buy another one.

[reddragon72]

build a better rig so you never need a winch ;)

but seriously I am looking at those el cheapo harbor freight ones as I have seen tons of guys with those and they never failed.

[Mudderoy]

build a better rig so you never need a winch ;)

but seriously I am looking at those el cheapo harbor freight ones as I have seen tons of guys with those and they never failed.

No such thing.

[4.3LXJ]

Four Wheeler did a winch comparison and gave he Harbor Freight winch good reviews ........... up until they took it out of the box. The one that was a surprise in the cheap winch category was the Chicago Electric. Performed right in there with the Warns

[Mudderoy]

Four Wheeler did a winch comparison and gave he Harbor Freight winch good reviews ........... up until they took it out of the box. The one that was a surprise in the cheap winch category was the Chicago Electric. Performed right in there with the Warns

:smiley-laughing021: So many things look good on paper.

[reddragon72]

:smiley-laughing021: So many things look good on paper.

I've seen these cheapo's working very well and since you don't use it a lot I figured the cheaper one will work great since they got tons of use at Spring Creek ORP.

[Mudderoy]

I've seen these cheapo's working very well and since you don't use it a lot I figured the cheaper one will work great since they got tons of use at Spring Creek ORP.

This is the critical bit of my request and personal challenge.


Nice balance between cheap and functional?

The problem with a cheap winch is Murphy's law dictates it will fail when you need it the most. :out:

[nateyz2000]

I bought a tuffstuff 9500 for $250... It is made in the same factory as the smittybuilt... It is worked fine the few times I have used it

[cantab27]

gone from warn to super winch......I use mine heaps and in comp events ...nice and can handle what I throw at it ...re cheap its like anything on ya jeep it all needs looking after ..easy to pull down, and work it now and again .....

[denverd1]

Hmm so you want a cheap winch. but you don't want a cheap winch. :crazy:

FWIW I put the engo 10K on my XJ. $300 IIRC. My jeep is red, so I've never used it.

[Mudderoy]

Matt reminded me that Rene (rguignard) beat his Smittybilt XRC 8 to death, literally, so I ordered one of those. $299 :(

[bigjim350]

Matt reminded me that Rene (rguignard) beat his Smittybilt XRC 8 to death, literally, so I ordered one of those. $299 :(

Rene did have a few problems with solenoids every once in a while. But they always warrantied them.

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[Rustbucket]

The JCR Offroad winch bumper comes in today, and well eventually I'm going to want to buy a winch.

I have what I consider to be a good winch, not quite a Warn, but good quality.

I think I can cheap out on this winch. What do you guys think a good winch for the TJ would be. Nice balance between cheap and functional?

Can't comment on the winch, but that jcr bumper was money well spent.

[msmoorenburg]

well the XCR8 did bend the detours backbone i have sooo i say its good to go :)

[GB.XJ.MI]

I have the smitty xrc8 with synthetic on my blue XJ with the jcr bumper and a warn m8000 and another jcr bumper on my green XJ. I have abused the smitty. To the extent of dead heading it, snapping the line, and breaking the control box. Mended it back together and it keeps coming back for more. The warn seems to not bog down as much under heavy loads and is a little faster which I've only had to use once... But I'm happy with both products and would suggest both depending on budget.

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[Mudderoy]

I ordered the Smitybilt XRC 8 for $308 (shipped) from Summit Racing!

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/smt-97281

It was the best deal I could find. Summit charges $8 for oversized, heavy (something like that) otherwise it would have been $299.99.

I have Amazon Prime, but they are collecting tax now, so it would have been $321, or something like that.

Also I am quite happy and surprised that it is scheduled to be delivered today, a mere two days after ordering.

You guys keep those winch recommendations coming in. I'm sure I'm not the only one that wants to know this stuff!

[4.3LXJ]

Summit always gets your stuff to you fast. Mine comes the next day if I order before 3 PM

[prcjeep]

I have the smitty xrc8 with synthetic on my blue XJ with the jcr bumper and a warn m8000 and another jcr bumper on my green XJ. I have abused the smitty. To the extent of dead heading it, snapping the line, and breaking the control box. Mended it back together and it keeps coming back for more. The warn seems to not bog down as much under heavy loads and is a little faster which I've only had to use once... But I'm happy with both products and would suggest both depending on budget.

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NICE RACK!

http://www.xjtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3251&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1375361820

only the second person I've seen with it on any forum.

[GB.XJ.MI]

Thanks. Thats also a great jcr product. The new one they're making is even better!

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[Midknight]

Are Mile Marker winches good? No one has even mentioned them

[Dredwolf]

Are Mile Marker winches good? No one has even mentioned them

As many on here will say, a winch that works when you need it is a "good winch".

MileMarker has been in business a long time, that does mean something.

Years ago, you had Warn, Ramsey, MileMarker, Superwinch, and something called a Hickey Sidewinder...

A LOT of winches now are made in the big factory district in China, and re-badged..

My Smittybuilt X20 8 is one of those.:rolleyes:

Have you got a good deal on the MileMarker?

[Midknight]

299 for an 8K with wire rope. Same price as yall were talkin about

[Dredwolf]

299 for an 8K with wire rope. Same price as yall were talkin about

Thats generally considered a good deal for an 8K winch, especially one that you should be able to get parts for, like a MileMarker.

Anything extra for shipping? Reliable vendor? If those things are fine, then the MileMarker should be a good buy.

Some will argue "WARN or DIE" but that also depends on how many times a day you will be pulling that cable out...

In my case, the Smittybuilt fits the need vs cost, but if I build a mud runner, I might consider something else.

And for my farm truck, a Harbor Freight Badlands 12K should do fine...

[Midknight]

4 wheel parts has a nice warrenty on the smittybilts so I might just go with the 8K with synthetic rope

[Mudderoy]

4 wheel parts has a nice warrenty on the smittybilts so I might just go with the 8K with synthetic rope

And old :xjtalk: member just beat the hell out of his winch, replaced solinodes once or twice. That's why I went with the Smitybilt on the wife's jeep. Now if it was on mine, SuperWinch or Warn

[gary63]

superwinch useto have a group of winchs that had a back-up hand crank so if you lost power you could stell hand crank your self out. I uncle have 3 of them and I have used them twis and they work ok.

[4.3LXJ]

I have a Milemarker 9K I got a good deal on from 4 Wheel parts. Worked well until the brushes lost contact with the armature. Failed me when I needed it. The wife was with me that time and told me I needed a good winch. So I bought the Warn. :D

I have since repaired the Mile Marker and will use it later.

[Dredwolf]

...The wife was with me that time and told me I needed a good winch. So I bought the Warn. :D

Some of my best purchases were obtained with that tactic...once the wife TELLS you that you NEED something you wanted, that is considered a hands-down approval. Have to be careful to not set your pants pocket on fire ripping the wallet out....

Yep, thats when the good tools and accessories get bought. ;)

[4.3LXJ]

She thinks we need a second Jeep now :D

Had to call for help last trip :D

[XJ Wheeler]

I have since repaired the Mile Marker and will use it later.

Is it going in the XJs rear bumper?

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[bad luck]

Thanks. Thats also a great jcr product. The new one they're making is even better!

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I like your jeep. Have you or are you doing a build thread on it?

[bad luck]

I may buy a winch soon, I have never owned one before. I did talk to the TJM guy during jeep week here. He said that they own the factory in China where their winches are built, and they keep a very close check on the quality. Also the Come up, winch guys said that their winches are built in Taiwan, and that makes a big difference in the quality. Who knows? I certainly don't. I don't know if I should spend more money for a warn, or superwinch or try one of these others, a lot of times we go by ourselves on trips, so maybe one of the older name brands might be best.

[4.3LXJ]

Is it going in the XJs rear bumper?

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

Yup, it will displace soda pop on long trips :D

I originally built that bumper around that size of winch

[4.3LXJ]

a lot of times we go by ourselves on trips, so maybe one of the older name brands might be best.

That is why I have one

[Mudderoy]

Is it going in the XJs rear bumper?

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

That's what I was thinking.

[4.3LXJ]

Yup, that is the plan. But I need to buy cable or preferably rope for it. That is just not high enough on the list right now. But heading there

[bad luck]

I found this on Craigslist the other day. I think are supposed to be very good winches, just a little heavy and kind of slow. I called Superwinch to find out if parts were still available for it, they are. And the guy there said they don't sell that many of them because the list price is over $2000. So I paid $600 for it, the winch has never been installed or used. So what do you think?

[4.3LXJ]

That is not a bad price really for an unused winch. Be interesting to see where it was manufactured

[bad luck]

That's easy, it was manufactured in England. But the motor is from the U.S. And I don't think I mentioned it but this is a worm drive winch, so it doesn't need a brake.

[4.3LXJ]

Well worth it then. I noticed the mounting is not standard with the motor hanging down. Probably have to do a custom mount

[bad luck]

Your right, it is not a standard mount, I already was planning on making up some kind of custom mount.

[Dredwolf]

Bob,

If I recall my Four Wheel magazine editions correctly, that thing was used with the Camel Trophy (or a Husky model like it).

That thing should be a beast, like the Ramsey worm gear winches.

Good find!

[Dredwolf]

Superwinch 2404A Husky 10, 12VDC winch, rated line pull 10, 000 lb/4, 536 kg with roller fairlead : Amazon.com : Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gmC1VogIL.@@AMEPARAM@@41gmC1VogIL

$1425.36.....

:notworthy:

[bad luck]

Thank you John, I also did a little more research it is supposed to be a great winch, I think any worm drive winch is supposed to be pretty good though. I wish it was a little lighter though. And I'm not sure when I will get it mounted.

[KMW-NWXJ]

I have a Recon 10,500 that I bought for $400 three years ago. Came with synthetic line, hawse fairlead, and both corded and wireless remotes. I've used it a bunch of times and its never had an issue. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

http://www.rdmoffroad.com/images/products/detail/10500winch.jpg

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[abebehrmann]

I have a Recon 10,500 that I bought for $400 three years ago. Came with synthetic line, hawse fairlead, and both corded and wireless remotes. I've used it a bunch of times and its never had an issue. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

http://www.rdmoffroad.com/images/products/detail/10500winch.jpg

now Free ('http://tapatalk.com/m?id=10')

Wow, I had never heard of that winch before but that looks like a great winch at an awesome price. The reviews on Amazon are pretty much all positive too.

[KMW-NWXJ]

Yeah, when I was looking I couldn't find any bad reviews on it. Their service seems good too. Shortly after I got mine I noticed a chip in the chrome on the clutch handle, and it was starting to peel. I called them and they just sent me a new handle for free, even though it was probably a rock chip rather that defective plating.

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