Looking for a winch

If anyone is selling or has a llink on a 8000lb winch, please post. Much thanks!

 

Keep an eye out on Amazon. A couple of weeks ago I managed to snag a Superwinch LS8500, which is an entry level 8500 lbs winch, for just over $300 shipped.

 

I bit the bullet and went WARN. I know they're expensive, but lifetime guaranteed items are piece of mind. I justified the price by reminding myself I can use it for a few decades if I take good care of it.

 

Truth. Make sure you take that thing apart every couple of years, or every year if you cross a lot of water. Even the best waterproof parts get shit in them over time.

I went with the cheap Superwinch because the name is known for quality, the parts are easy to find and cheap, and realistically it's the maintenance that makes a winch last not the name necessarily.

 

I would go with warn hands down. Maybe little bit more at first, but in the end will save your ass. Also there customer service is top notch.

 

Princess Auto had a 9500# for $350 I probably would have picked it up if I didn't need to replace my windshield.

 

I think the main factor that will make my winch last is that it's going to be living in the cab. I can cradle it out to front/back when needed but I don't want it getting rained on/splashed/caked with mud and dirt from regular driving. Also kinda paranoid about opportunistic thieves n such. Keep a low profile as much as possible, don't want attention.

 

Do you have a front receiver? I've got a curt front receiver that bolts to the where the tow hooks go. It's pretty low for trails. If I could do it again I'd do something different - Like Trail gear's low profile front bumper since it has a front receiver (it has a place to mount a winch too, but I've got the stock suspension. Once I upgrade the suspension then I might mount it permanently) I use a front receiver for maneuvering trailers from time to time, so I want to keep a front receiver.

The result of a nose dive into a mud puddle.


I used welding connectors to disconnect the winch.

 

Yup. The winches that go bad fast are usually the ones Jeep owners bolt right onto a totally exposed bumper. A plastic cover will help, but how many guys actually keep the cover on? Protecting your winch or removing it from the truck when not in use can be a great idea. Just make sure you use the proper high capacity connections to the winch and don't drop it .

My winch is well protected in a USOffroad bumper. It's not going to get beat to shit by the elements. I'll have the grill off once a year likely just to service the winch.

 

I'm actually currently researching what my best bet would be in the front hitch department. ATM all I have is rear hitch, waiting on winch to ship. Trying to decide between having a front hitch fabbed for my stock bumper (sit right below about mid-grill I don't want the CURT as it sits waaaay too low for my liking and I'm not willing to give up approach angle/clearance), or just going new bumper all together. I really like that low-pro you mentioned. May go that direction..

 

That's why I posted. I'm stuck with the low receiver for now, but I'd have waited and saved up more if could do it again.

 

I'm kinda surprised that there aren't options for 1st gen front hitches out there. I guess that tells you everyone goes straight to aftermarket and ditches their stock bumper.

 

Yup. Now there's even options for 2nd gens for us to keep the stock look of the bumper yet add a winch and recovery points.



I haven't seen anything like that for 1st gens.

BTW This thread has been officially

 

Thanks for the replys. Sterdog, that is exactly what I want to do. Add recovery points and a winch "holder". Do you fab that up yourself, or bought it?

 

http://usoffroad.us/store/winch-mount-bumpers/winch-mounts
only second gens and FJs right now. im on the fence about either getting this, or for the same amount of money getting a Trail Gear front bumper.

 

I really need to figure out if I'll be safe to winch with a cradle.. I'm concerned about winching from angles and how risky that will be with a hitch the sole anchor point.

Any suggestions?

 

You found a good full bumper for $500 USD?

I was able to put my winch and USOffroad Bumper on my truck for less than $1000 CAD including coating. That's $200 under the cheapest good plate steel bumper I could find for my Tacoma, let alone the winch, coating, and weight (suspension) cost a full bumper would of put me down to achieve the same goals.

If you need more front end approach angle clearance or you plan on pile driving some trees with your bumper the full plate would be ideal. Otherwise the USOffroad product is more than most people need.

 

If you are looking for a winch, try eHarmony or Match.com. The cheaper way of finding one would be a website along the lines of PlentyofFish.

















Yes I know, not much to contribute here. Only because all the members hooked you up with some good options.

 

This may be a little mickey mouse but I just bought a 5,000 Dayton winch from a friend for $100.00. Slid it into my rear hitch and it pulled his 3/4 ton 4x4 (with utility bed and full of pumps, tools, etc.) up my inclined driveway without any issues. I'll probably never use it but thought it was a bargain......cheaper than my com-a-long.

 

That winch is going to fail when you need it. Trust me. I'm not sure what an RC weighs but my DCLB GVWR is higher than 5,000 lbs and I'm sure that 3/4 ton was too. Your asking for trouble and carnage if you do choose to use it again. You were fine because you moved the 3/4 ton maybe 20 feet? Try it with the truck loaded up and bricks in front of the tires to simulate a stuck truck. Something will give, and it'll hurt if someone is in the way.

Winch general rules I've heard from many experienced people:

A) Buy a winch that is rated for twice the empty weight of your truck

AND/OR

B) Buy a winch that is rated for 1.5x your vehicles GVWR.