Which Winch?

I'm throwing myself to the mercy of the knowledgeable.....

I'm getting a new plate front bumper from 4xinnovations for my 1999 Tacoma SR5 4x4. I do not need this, but I am 100% sure that it will make me more attractive to my wife.

To maximize the lust factor, I need to also get a winch. In fairness, I anticipate needing to use said winch maybe once every 1-2 years. But it will get use, even if only for sexual purposes.

So here's the list of winches that 4x says will work:

Smittybilt XRC 9.5
Warn: XD9500, M8000, 9.5XP, 9.5XPS, VR10, VR8, VR8000, XD9
Mile Marker: SEC8, SEC8 Scout, SEC9.5
Superwinch X9
Comeup: DV-9
Badland ZXR9000


I'm looking for advice on which winch to get. And why.
And of course, good natured insults are open.
Thanks!

 

I have a Warn VR10S and would buy again. I chose Warn based on reputation and warranty. I've used it for 3 recoveries and some shenanigans as well. So far, so good.

I also know guys who run Badlands and have no complaints.

No matter what you choose, test it periodically. Especially before going places you think you might use it! I believe they recommend spooling out the line and rewinding it under load every so often.

 

which ever winch your wench likes!!

Do they all have dealers close to you??.

It sucks shipping things back on your nickle if you have problems

I like my Warn Winches for being able to get parts

 

I'm a firm backer of Warn. I'm on my third. The first was permanently mounted. The second was set up for front and back receivers. The third is a smaller one also for receiver mount. I've used both of those, at the same time (second one mounted on another vehicle to act as an anchor).

 

I have Smitty-builts on 2 of my Tacoma's and one on my Ram Cummins diesel. I went with Smitty-built simply because they always seemed to be on sale @ 4 Wheel Parts. For my purposes, working on my property... pulling trees, sheds, cemented in poles etc they work just fine. I run a single battery on the Tacoma's but the diesel has 2 batteries stock. I also run a 100 amp constant duty solenoid to make my winch to battery connection. The unsolicited bits of advice I can give is that if you pull at too sever of an angle, left or right, off the front of the Tacoma don't be surprised if you tweak your frame. In each truck there is a "winch kit" with gloves... very important if you run wire cable, clevises sized for the 3/8 chain that I use, a 30' 30k lbs strap and a few hooks for the chain, and 4 - 4 X 6 X 12" wooden blocks for the tires and an old blanket, and sometimes that isn't enough. The old blanket has 2 purposes, the first is to lay on ground when you crawl under something and the second is to act as a parachute... you throw the blanket over the middle of the cable and if the cable snaps it doesn't cut you in half.
I am not a fan of the wireless remotes... I just don't trust them. I can invision a real tough pull and everything is maxed out... the cable is singing it is so tight, and the link between the remote and the winch cuts out and the winch just keeps pulling and pulling.

 

Agreed. I have the wireless remote, and mine acted up once while using it. I assumed the battery was dying. I have used the cable ever since, as I was concerned about the same type of scenario you described. The cable is plenty long to reach the driver's seat, so I see no need for the wireless option.

 

Definitely get whatever they're advertising on Expedition Overland.

Make sure your shackles are always mounted on the bumper and are as brightly colored as possible. And if you can, get a brightly colored synth line as well, and make sure it's not UV protected so everyone can see what you're packing. A brightly colored anodized factor 55 hook is a must for maximum panty dropping.

Or, get yourself a Warn VR10 with a steel cable. Keep it under a cover, and keep your D-rings in your recovery bag. You wife will know what you got. You can drag that cable through the mud and rocks for days. You know she likes it dirty. None of this "oh wait, I gotta clean my cable, and please be gentle with it" bs.

 

No, that's only if you unspool it for a recovery (because it gets all jacked up when recovering), or if it's new. There's no reason to respool it ""every so often" if it hasn't been used.

 

I’m looking at getting the Badlands apex 12k or the Cal ranch version of the same winch, xpower (insert model).

I just don’t want steel cable.

 

Thanks for the correction. It's probably not a bad idea to do that anyway just to make sure it works.

 

Yeah, it's not a bad idea to make sure it works, but I would stop short of actually spooling the whole thing out. A quick blip of the winch and a visual inspection would suffice.

 

This has me curious as to how the Warn Winch wireless remote works.

Most all the Crane Wireless Remotes if you have a loss of signal the coils drop out on the crane.

I guess I need to find a New Wench to buy a New Winch to get the wireless Remote.

The quest for knowledge can get expensive.

 

Never had an issue with my 12000lb ramsey

 

While they don't necessarily recommend spooling out the entire thing, Warn does recommend running it for a few minutes every couple of months.

 

Some people prefer synthetic lines and ropes over the steel cable, any ideas why?

 

There are lots of reasons. Neither is universally "better".

If you want something lightweight and easy to handle, synth is better. If you want something that will outlast the truck (doesn't degrade with UV exposure) and can be dragged over rocks, steel is better.

There is a common misconception that synth line is "safer", and while I understand where that comes from, it's not entirely true. Synth line doesn't store energy like steel does, and it's lighter. So I guess if you're in the habit of standing right next to a cable during a pull, sure, synth is safer. But I'd argue that's a terrible thing to do anyway.

The problem is that people have been using steel cables for generations, and when *properly* used, steel is perfectly safe. Synth is still dangerous if it's used improperly. Same argument can be said for hi-lift jacks. People who don't use them properly and don't respect them think they're dangerous.

For my needs, the weight and "safety" advantages didn't outweigh the disadvantages of synth. So for me, I went steel. We all do our own calculus for what's best.

 

i think a lot is keep up with the Big Boys and advertising by the synthetic line manufactures

When Synthetic line starts being used common on 60Ton Winches I will look at it closer.

Then getting a length to demo would be interesting.

 

I have the Smittybuilt and have used it quite a bit with no issues. I've used the wireless remote most of the time as well but I always make sure I have the wired connection with me. I have synthetic rope and haven't wished I had steel yet. The weight savings and safety are the main reason I went with synthetic. I also can use it without gloves and don't worry my hands will get chewed up by a random broken strand.

 

Harbor freight badlands apex 12k is fucking badass and a steal price at $600. I got an open box deal for 479 and am beyond happy with it. Synthetic rope and both wired and wireless option

 

https://youtu.be/MubF-PtID_4

Just bought the Badland Apex on sale for $480. I don’t condone buying Harbor Freight stuff often (have their 20 ton press and 2 ton engine hoist) but most people think it’s just a rebranded Warn Evo.

Out of the box it’s beef, nice synth line, replacement line is $130. We’ll see how it holds up over time, but the reviews on it are pretty stellar