Winch discussion....what to consider when purchasing

I'm getting ready to purchase a winch and was wondering if some of you could share your knowledge with me.

What size should I get? What features should I look for? What are you running on your truck?

The winch won't see heavy use but it needs to work. I plan to go with synthetic line for the safety and weight savings.

 

First, a quality brand like Warn. (and I am not talking Chinese VR series)
Minimum rating 8000lbs. Preferably 9000-9500lbs.

Then you could start looking at amp draw under load, line speed, weight, ect.

 

I suppose I should add that I'm trying to decide between an engo or warn

 

Both have great reputations. I've been running my Warn for 14 years and it's been fantastic every pull. I have it on front and rear quick connects, so I can pull from the front or rear. I have a receiver on both ends and the winch is on a cradle.

 

Warn M8000 with synthetic rope.

 

They advise 1.5 times the vehicle weight for a minimum winch rating. So the Taco weights about 4,000 lbs. That means 6,000 lb winch min. Warn if you have the money. I got the Engo 10,000 for a good price. Recommend a wireless control. I eventually retro fitted mine for wireless. I also put in a 600 amp Blue Seas on/off switch on the winch electric mains.

 

I have a Smittybilt X2O that has been flawless. Several people I wheel with use the same winch with no problems. I actually used mine this morning to pull a fencepost out of the ground. It came with synthetic line, wireless control, is IP68 waterproof/dustproof rating, and I got it for $549 shipped. The first thing I did was open it up and remove all the grease and replace it with a high temp synthetic. I also saw a Warn Zeon break this past weekend on it's third pull, so anything can happen.

 

I would not suggest a 6000lb winch. Start adding mods, and gear and weight quickly adds up. A full tank adds 120lbs. My truck with a modest build gassed up is likely near 4700lbs plus passengers and gear. For real off-road use like Tacos and Jeeps, you also should factor being more severely stuck, putting more demand on the winch, and not a simple flat line pull.

 

Warn Zeon is Chinese garbage compared to the rest of the USA Warn line.

 

Yours looks like a hidden winch. That's what I would like to get. Is yours the aluminum bumper replacement mount?

 

Another vote for the m8000, I used mine several times and it never failed me. was strong enough to drag my truck sideways thru ankle deep mud and rocks, and this was before I understood the concept of using a snatch block to increase the usefulness of the winch.

 

I've had solid luck with my M8000 on my TJ Rubicon as well. Reasonable weight for the power as well.

 

My truck weighs very close to 6,000 pounds. I carry several pulleys to gain mechanical advantage and favorable direction of pull. My Warn is an 8,000. I wouldn't go with anything lighter, and my next winch will be at least a 9.5K.

 

Just throwing this out there, but harbor freight is selling there 12,000lb "Badland" winch right now for 290$... I am going to be buying one, after having another one on my ford ranger for a couple years, the extra power is awesome, especially when using to pull out full size trucks, and the price is unbeatable. The only "downside" I have found compared to the imo overpriced warn is the speed in which line is retrieved- of no concern to me.

 

It's a Pelfreybilt aluminum bumper.

 

Mmmm... Dirty taco

 

I beg to differ. I installed two of those 9000lb badlands winches on my old beat up trail rig and it didn't last 2 years. After 16 months, I had to tap it with a hammer to get it to work. Eventually, it wouldn't work at all. Got a replacement under warranty (I was smart enough to get the extended warranty) and that one did exactly what the first one did. Might have used them a handful of times each.


Id advise to stay away from them

 

There are hundreds of reviews all over the net if op is interested.

 

I'd buy an engo e9000s with synthetic line before the badlands winch

 

Got a warn 9.5cti works great