Winch recommendations

Made in USA versions too

 

HiLifts while slow, are reliable, versatile and cost effective. Oh and they work. Plus standing (or falling) in knee deep mud is truly a bonding with the trail experience!

My trail buddy has a Big Warn on a 2” hitch mount so I put a receiver on front/back of both trucks so we can share it if needed. Of course he does not have a TACO so he needs it more...

 

Agreed. I wasn't looking to start a wench debate so much as add food for thought for the OP to make up his own mind based on lots of info.

 

Yup, food for thought in a level headed discussion.

 

Pretty rare these days on the intrawebs.

 

Another vote for the Warn M8000s here.

I love Harbor Freight stuff as much as the next cheapskate, but I would hesitate on their winches. At the very minimum I would do a thorough tear-down, deburr, inspection and rebuild/regrease before I put one on my truck. You might get a good one, but you could also just as easily get a dud. I'd want to know before I really needed it to work.

I ask myself the question: "Could my life depend on this equipment?" If the answer is yes, then it isn't purchased at Harbor Freight.

 

I have a smittybilt 9.5k more than enough for me

 

I killed a Smitty (non xto) in a series of water crossings. Very pleased with everything about my superwinch tigershark.

Just don't buy their neoprene cover. Doesn't last a year in North TX

 

Which is why I kept the wire rope on mine instead of going with the synthetic. The wire is more durable and less susceptible to damage including UV damage. I'd love to go synthetic for the better handling characteristics and weight lose on the front end but it's not worth the $300 for the synthetic when it doesn't get used often.

Warn XD9000 in my ARB.

 

No complaints yet with my Smittybilt XRC 9500.

 

Warn makes a great winch but there vr series talking to some fellow wrecker operators they are not as good as there m series.

 

I have smittybilt front and rear, never failed me. I destroyed one of the plastic covers on the contact, I just got of the phone with smittybilt, sending another one today with an upgraded part free of charge. I will take that customer service any day of the week. I have the x20 10k on front , and the xrc 9.5 on the back. The x20 is clearly a more quality winch and has been well underwater several times, but it's also twice the price. The only thing I don't like are the clutch handles are way to big and they are one sided, not a true tee handle. They should be short and strong, cause the handle is in a horrible spot for arb bumpers, and they are only clock able 90° out. Still, I am happy with my purchase.

 

I went synthetic for weight savings and safety. If the line breaks I'm prepared to repair it or use an alternate method to self recovery.

 

That's the nice thing about synthetic, just need a sharp knife and a fid in the field to repair a cut or fray. Personally also carry a 50' extension, which isn't a chore since it weighs next to nothing. That has seen maybe 2 hours of sunlight ever and is still just as bright blue as the day I bought it. I would feel very confident in just spooling that if my whole line was spoiled for some reason.

 

I disassemble every new winch I buy, clean out all the cheap grease, and repack with good grease (Power Punch). I check all the connections, seals and assemblies. That is the only way for me to have a winch that I trust, regardless of what I pay for it. I have a Smitty XRC with synthetic to install soon. I know several people who run them with very good results.

 

Badger when you take your xrc apart, see if it's possible to clock the gear housing

 

I clocked mine on my FZJ80 So it fit properly in my ARB front bumper.

 

90° or 45°

 

I have the Smittybuilt X20 10,000lb with Synthetic rope and I love it! I have used it a few times, My son and I went wheeling and came across this guy in a bad spot and we winched him out...Oh yeah he had a brand new "Warn" winch...Guess my point is just having a winch no matter the brand will be worth every penny saved or spent
Oh and My vote is for Smittybuilt

 

Harbour freight 12k lb $300