Let's talk winches...

I've poked around for a thread discussing the pros and cons of various winch systems without much luck, so I hope my questions aren't redundant.

In looking for a winch, I've found a few models that will do the job well but the pricing is all over the place. So, what winch do you have and why?

The ones I've been contemplating are:
Smittybilt X20 ($550)
Warn Xeon ($1250)
Comeup SEAL Gen2 9.5RS ($1k)

Obviously reliability, customer service and build are all important, however each of these units received pretty high marks in all categories. So why would I get a Comeup or Warn as opposed to a Smittybilt?

 

I have a Zeon 10-s here on both of my trucks, but I've helped install a Seal 9.5 and the additional safety alarms were pretty cool.

I think in the end you will be satisfied with any of the three, if your schedule allows it wait for the sale prices to pop up on Labor Day weekend.

 

I have one that isn't on your list. Warn M8000-s. I bought it for well under a grand. Then I bought a snatch block which effectively doubles the pulling power of the winch. I haven't encountered a situation where I needed a stronger winch. The Zeon's are incredible, but they wouldn't fit in my undercover winch mount so I didn't really consider them. Can't vouch for the Smittybilt or Comeup.

 

I don't have a Tacoma, but on my Ram I have a ComeUp Seal 12.5s. I've used it a lot in mud, sand and hill climbs. Works fantastic. I bought from etrailer for a little over 1k. Good deal with those ComeUp winches.

 

I'm also running a Warn M8000 but with steel line. I may swap it to synthetic to save weight after this winter. I paid around 500 if memory serves. I didn't go with the 10 series because of possible fitment issues with my Pelfreybilt hidden winch mount. The Warn M series (and I believe Zeon) are made in USA vs the VS series made in China. Can't speak to the other brands other than hearsay about Smittybilt reliability.

 

Thanks for the feedback!
I guess my questions revolve around winch function in general. Obviously fit would be a determining factor in choosing a winch, but if you were comparing apples to apples, why would a winch with similar features cost twice as much? (I'm sure a brand name has something to do with it)
All three winches have approximately the same dimensions, tension rating and line type. There are some small differences, but I'm primarily focusing on the mechanics and reliability.
And I'm certainly not against spending the money if it's justified

Hoping this thread can provide some answers for newby folks like myself to help make a more educated decision...or at the least narrow down the selection. And if there is no simple answer, I'm ok with that too.

 

How about Wenches? Can we talk about them too?

 

I have the x20 and the wireless feature is pretty awesome. Ive only used it to pull stumps out if my yard, but for the price I couldn't complain. My dad has got a badlands 12k on his f250. Cheap (350 after tax and warranty) and hasn't let him down. .

 

I've heard some good and bad things about the wireless (mostly good!) But being able to stand anywhere, including staying in the cab or further than what most wired controllers will allow, seems like a pretty cool feature.

 

I live in a very salty environment, so the USA made and Warn legacy was an easy choice for me. I haven't used my winch for an extraction yet, but Vermont Overland Rally is yet to come and I certainly needed one last year.

OP, how are you planning to mount your winch? Hidden winch mount or plate bumper?

 

When I had a Samurai I researched the smittybuilt 8k regular old style winch. The 1st year reviews were all good but all the longer term reviews were the internals would rust / corrode Exedra I seen where one guy said he took the winter apart when it was brand new and greased everything up inside and he had luck and I chose to get some just because I'm a no-nonsense kind of guy. I'm a Warn my myself. I'd suggest an m8000 as well plenty of winch for a toyota. Plus a snatch block inc
I have an m12 on my Ram and m8 on the 04 taco u had and a new m8 ready to go on this toy. They have a contactor solenoid box now witch means solid state I believe so they are way more reliable then the old style.
Ebay u can usually find a seller w decent reviews for $639 shipped.
But to answer the question you specifically asked more or less is features like line speed brand name the solenoid style the remote control style and I was talking to a warn employee who said they wanted to quit making the original 8274 top loader 8000 pound winch a few years ago but people wanted them so bad he said they just basically double the price on them because they're expensive to build and they figured if people wanted them they just be willing to pay through the nose for him and he says they sell like hotcakes

 

Mine will be hidden behind an SSO slimline bumper. They mentioned the Smittybilt and Warn Xeon would both fit as I'm sure an m8000 will as well. I too live on the coast (the other coast) and am concerned about degradation from the elements. Thank you, and @Catcrazed for those great points!

 

What about winch placement?... I'm where TVR is with the search, however picking the right one is going to be completely dependent on what route I go to mount it. Has anyone mounted without aftermarket bumbers? I would like to fabricate something to mount it behind the stock bumber and just cut into the bumber to place the fairlead. Anyone done this? Pics?

 

There are a couple threads that discuss hidden winches without aftermarket bumpers. Here's one:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pelfrey-built-hidden-winch-mount.443630/

 

I have a Smittybilt X20 12K which with synthetic route. In addition to the range on the remote, the other nice thing is that the wired and wireless remote are the same so no need to be carrying two remotes. Need a wired remote just plug the cable on the underside of the wireless, don't need it wired just unhook. Plus I know most people won't care, but the ergonomics of the control are nice. The remote feels secure in my hands with its pistol style grip and finger grooves.
At the end of the day they are all good including Ramsey winches that isn't up there. I haven't used my new x20 12k for my Tacoma on anything yet, but it is exactly the same as the x20 12k that was on my Hummer H3T, which I used frequently on the beach to make extra cash pulling people out of sand pits.

 

Very helpful, thank you!

 

You mean something like so....

Get with Caleb over at C4Fab. I believe he is on this forum. @C4 Fabrication he will help you out, great guy with tons of helpful knowledge.

 

Just to throw another monkey wrench (Wench?) in the mix; have you looked at Superwinch? Compatible quality to Warn (In some cases better) and you can get their entry level stuff at very good prices. (Superwinch makes industrial winches, and that tech/build quality filters down to their line of hobby/truck winches.)

I've got a LP10,000 Superwinch that fit perfectly in my ARB bumper.

 

I had a super which on my Can Am renegade. They are good winches. The guy I sold the four wheeler to didn't have ramps or a trailer. So he attached the winch to an I beam and winched the 4 wheeler in the air then just simply backed into it and lowered it onto his bed. Don't know how he got the 4 wheeler off at home. lol

 

Something else to consider when buying is weight. Adding a winch plus the mounting system (bumper or insert) is adding significant weight to the front end of the truck which negatively affects the driving characteristics and may require beefing up the front suspension. Paying attention to weight when buying your components can somewhat help mitigate this effect.

Another thing to consider is use. Are you using your winch to climb long trail grades you cant drive up many times a year, aka hard core 4wheeling? Or is it an insurance policy, for "just in case"?

For hard core heavy use, you would want to favor maximum pulling power and faster line speeds. However for the later scenario, adequate pulling power and reduced weight for a daily driver at an affordable cost may be a better fit. The Warn M8000-s is well made, affordable and only weighs 55lbs. The steel cable version is priced in-line with the Smittybilt you listed. I'd definitely prefer to have a Warn. I used this on my Rubicon for years and it was a very solid reliable winch.

Also consider waiting for some upcoming Labor Day sales to purchase to get a good price.