Warn VR10, Warn M8000 or Smittybuilt X20-10K Winch

What if there's a floor jack under the basket with it's long handle in the upright position, unbeknownst to you, and your friend gets a phone call but decides to answer it? Would a snatch block help in this case for a one handed lift or does your buddy becomes an ex-buddy?

 

Long answer: Yes

-J

 

You're a bigger man than most to admit when you're mistaken. Physics is tricky like that, but I'll still take that any day over chemistry! At least you can see physics in action.

 

True, but you may have to replace some of your accessories like snatch blocks that get chewed by the steel cable then pose a burr hazard to synthetic lines.

 

All "good" winches, all with good warranties, but the Smittybilt has a substantially higher fail rate. I've got a VR12S and a VR10S. (On 2 different trucks) VR12s has made approximately 30 pulls over 2 years, some were rather hard pulls. Never flinched....

Most of those who I know running Smittybilt winches just rave about how quick they honor warranties and replace broken parts. Personally, I'd rather have a winch that is less likely to fail when it's needed. UPS doesn't ship trailside for repairs in the woods....

Synthetic line is the way to go. Ease/light weight is wonderful when you're hanging on to a wet, slick hillside and dragging a line.

 

Nice to hear good things about the VR line.

 

Looked at both Warn VR10S and Smittybuilt X2O. Ended up purchasing the X2O because I'm cheap. We'll see how well it works. @Bluegrass Taco my truck may be noticeably changed next time you see it. Hopefully little more prepped for trails we were on at Black Mountain. Great time for sure.

 

Just sent you a PM for a trail ride in 2 weeks. (Closer to home than Harlan!) We'll be on easier trails with some incredible sight seeing opportunities. (Locals that know the area really well as our guides)

The Smittybuilt winches seem OK....I've just had such incredibly good results with Warn over the years, I won't go another direction!

You did pretty damn well at Black Mountain! Do more to the truck and you'll be a beast!

 

I just want to make sure others have correct information spread all over their faces.

-J

 

oh, you into that freaky stuff. I like you.

 

-J

 

There is a reason why they got the name “shittybuilt”

 

Have you ever owned a smittybuilt product?

 

Yes I have.off-road bumper for my Jeep (rusted after six months) spair tire carrier again rusted after 3 months, hood hinge locks .lock tumbler failed after a year. After the third product of poor quality I stopped buying anything by smitty

 

Looking at synthetic lines in the same “budget” price range it looks like the smittybuilt X20-10K and the warn vr8s-8K are in the same price bracket. Has me scratching my head as to if this is the route to go.

As was mentioned the rusty cable will definitely be an issue, and the winch will likely be used minimally and then sit for year(s) before the next use. Weight difference is a factor too but its like 20 lbs difference not a dealbreaker.

Lots of people love their smitty’s but if you search there are alot of people that have issues with them. You find less bad reviews of the warns but there isnt as much info out there on the VR line which isnt made in america. The M8000 synthetic is out of my price range.

 

Also seeing smittybuilt has a 9,500K gen3 thats coming out or already out for $580 synthetic. Hmmm

 

Its the jeep that rusted it not the quality of the product lol

 

What made me decide that Warn winches were better was a 4x4 trip/outing to Panamint Valley in DV Nat park 25 yrs ago . There was a trail called Surprise Canyon that led up the old Ghost town of Panamint city . This trail followed up a very steep canyon thru a raging creek that had 7 very steep waterfalls

You had to winch up ea of the steep waterfalls going up and or down the canyon , there was physically no other way . I saw alot of winches overheating or catching on fire from extreme usage . The winches that didn't have issues was from Warn



Here's a video .....

https://youtu.be/aWvqwzWENSY

 

That video is crazy

 

I went up /down that Canyon many times in my Jeep but in 2007 the canyon was closed permanently to off roading

Last time I went up there was the early 90's during a Cal 4wheel Death Valley days event . We had twelve jeeps and Marlin from Marlin Crawlers fame . We also had David Freiburger and Rick Pewe from Four wheel and off road magazine