What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Ive owned several winches over the years. The only one that failed was a Ramsey. This winch was unrepairable because the magnets delaminated from the motor can. My point is, Ramsey is a quality winch company, yet it still broke. Im not spending big money on winches ever again.

The HF winch with warranty is the best deal in my eyes out there.

 

Warn M8000s are assembled in the US with majority of China parts. Doesn't mean they're shit.

Warn and Superwinch are the top winch manufacturers. They're designed by the best in the business and they aren't going to go with shoddy manufacturing because their brand relies on solid products.

A no-name winch offered by a company that is known for supplying less than good tools, vs a reputable company for really not that much more. I know which one I'd buy.

 

Me too.

 

Why'd you buy a Tacoma over a S10 or Ranger?

 

Or a Comanche?

 

Mostly because I've put together a bunch and have lots of parts.

I've had great luck with the Tacomas and HF winches. To me they are both just fine. I don't need the best rated trucks or winches, but I do need the extra $$$$ in my pocket.

 

wow!!! i didn mean to start a war or anything i was just asking opinions is all...tyvm for the ones that gave their opinion also

I do go out wheeling in the west desert alone a lot of times and i don't do things that are out of my or my trucks capabilities but there is a few areas i would like to make it up when i head to california or here in utah that my buddies truck cant make it up in 2wd so he go a small winch to help out and hes good to go after that area.

I would only use it probably 3 times a year and if needed during the winter to help someone else or to get myself unstuck from a screw up and when wheeling i always am in a area i know or if i don't i let others know where i'm going and when i will be back or go with a friend if he/she can go.

I drive for a living and have over 2 million miles behind me all safe driving zero accidents so i'm not a know it all or such what so ever and i don't take chances, I try to research alot and make sure I give honest answers of what i believe or have seen. I value my life and others...

 

That's the funny thing about winches. You want the best you can afford but you also don't want to have to use it, making the extra money spent on something better sometimes seem useless.

 

i understand what you mean now that i read that 10 times.(riddler)...i guess i should rephrase what my question is.... what size do you want for a winch a 8k or a 9k for a 4x4 if it was a new truck? like say a 2016? if i was to buy a new one in the future i could move it over to that? i dont want to have to buy something now and then find out its to small for the future truck to use if i go that route is all.

 

Thank ya sir

Subaru wrx

 

@Whiskey&Tacos What did the Respray end up costing you?

 

This isn't a flame against you as your experience is unique to you.
This post is not meant to change your mind as it seems it is already made up.

I read what you posted about winches and here is my feedback/retort:
My experience is this - you pay for whatcha get.
You buy cheap $hit, that is exactly what it is -> $hit.
You either pay now or you pay later, there isn't any way out of it.

To me, ANY HF anything is disposable use of one; and if you are lucky, more than once.
Screwdriver, wrench, vice, etc; it doesn't matter, it's all cheap Chinese crap.

Would you buy cheap tires to save a buck?
Doesn't your family's life depend on those tires?
Doesn't your life depend on those tires?

Same thing with a winch on your Tacoma.
Would you put your life on the line with a HF winch?
$hit happens out on the trail.
Then words get eaten and mumbled something along the lines of "I wish I had gotten <brand X item> instead of this crap".

The proof of a quality winch is trail tested, not dragging a car up a ramp.

It doesn't have to be the best rated equipment but depending on the quality of HF is a huge mistake in my opinion.

Yes, my winch is some no name brand to be replaced with a Smittybilt at the end of the year.

 

I agree with you for the most part.

I have destroyed winches, both high end and cheaper units. The difference in quality in the high end units and cheap models was modest at best. Have you actually taken them apart? There is definitely not that much better of parts in the higher end winches.

I like to think I am a good judge of tools. A winch is a tool. I can compare winches to hand tools.

Consider Snap on hand tools compared to Craftsman tools. Both are quality but a there is a huge difference in price. I don't see 200% difference in price for the same tool and same warranty. I'm going the Craftsman route. If I was a pro wrencher, I might spring for the Snap-on wrenches because my living is dependent on those tools working and not breaking.

If I was a pro wheeler, I might spring for a Warn winch. Its just a matter of degree.

I don't think there are many of us that use our Tacoma's completely in the bush and require our life to depend on it working. If that was the case, I would most likely have something completely different to run off grid. A Tacoma would not be my fist choice (but it is a hell of compromise).

I will say you are being very closed minded claiming any tool from Harbor Freight is disposable junk. Yes, there is quite a bit of that, but there are many tools there that are of very high quality.

I've destroyed many Snap on impact sockets over the years. I've yet to destroy the HF versions. The aluminum floor jacks are top notch as well.

I am enjoying this argument, but I think we got off topic... and I know there is already a thread on tools out there.

Just let the poster that wanted a winch make his own mind and spend his money the way he want. Many here will be impressed by a new Warn winch, but I and I'm sure others won't be.

Whatever you do, get rid of the steel line and get the kevlar line ASAP.

 

Late to the party but I'll throw in.
I had the 8k HF winch on a Cherokee. Worked just fine for the 3 years I drove it and used it. Never had a complaint about it.
I had the Smittybilt 8k on the taco at first. Honestly didn't like it. Had lots of complaints. Take one apart sometime. You pretty much have to, to change out the cosmoline they use for grease. They do work, so not trying to offend anybody, but there is better for your money.
If I didn't already have the Warn, which I eventually installed on the Taco, I would have gone back to the HF winch in a 9k.

 

I am of the opinion that 4x4 is the fallback to get you home. If you cannot get there in 2wd, you have no business being there. That being said, a hf winch would be plenty for me as emergency recovery. That is my 2 cents. Make what you will of it.

 

Well I definitely can't see that mind set being very fun.

 

I have gotten stuck 2 times too many times in the back country. I lost my desire to wheel anymore. I do respect a clean truck with nice tires.

 

What the hell why can't I get this done

 

Orrrr or or...... You just say fuck it

 

what I did today, took about 3 hours can be easily remove with a 14mm socket.