Somehow I'm a little confused about the search for an "entry level" winch lets face it stuck is stuck entry level or advanced why not search for a winch based on your particular needs( weight) plus a fudge factor cause we all know it's your buddy in the fully loaded 4 dr that needs to be recovered LOL

 

Entry level because I'm short on cash and I'm only going to be Jeeping in the sand pit behind my house, not at Moab or Baja lol.

 

I bought a ENGO 9k and I'm very happy with it. I found it on eBay and I didn't pay too much. I also got free shipping...I just don't remember who I bought it from! The biggest plus is that it didn't break the bank.

 

Got a couple
Let buddies running the engo winches and use em a lot in nasty situations usually for others and no problems yet....
Was going to get one but buddy seized a warn vr10000 on a pull. Gave it to me I smacked it with a hammer and its worked beautiful since...so free was the reason for me...

 

LOL smacking almost anything with a hammer seems to make it work better on a Jeep.

 

I have the Engo 9k. I have only had to use it twice and it has worked beautifully. I bought it after reading the test done by 4 wheeling magazine. It was 1 of only 2 winches to survive the tests. The other was 3 times as expensive. ( can't remember the other survivor right now)

 

I have the engo 9k w/synthetic. Went through the same thing when I bought mine, I posted about what would be better the Engo or smittybily. All I got was guys telling me to buy a warn, then I found the 4wd test which the warn did not survive by the way. I have a 4 door, the 9k is fine, it's not like I'm pulling a 1 ton pickup out of the mud. I've only used it once for myself but a bunch of times for other guys, it's been submerged and still works like a champ!

 

Whatever winch you end up do yourself and your JK a favor by doing a thoughtful installation.
Stay away from the exhaust headers, avoid crossing sharp edges or making sharp bends with the wiring. Remember it's awlays live bieng directly wired to your battery.
Wrap the thick power cables from the winch to your battery in split loom.

Just read a story yesterday about a 2012 Rubicon that burned up the engine compartment due to improper winch wiring the same day it was installed.

$4 in split plastic wiring loom and a few zip ties is worth it.

 

well I have had the RR 8500 and I don't care to spend more $$$ than necessary even tho I have plenty of cash to get whatever I want. I have used mine all over the place including MOAB and it still works like new after all these years. Even pulled myself out of a wash last week just outside of MOAB. I would NOT consider the RR 8500 an entry level winch, its a solid performer that you can rely on. I vote for the rugged ridge. you wont need anything else

last week...

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Rugged Ridge rocks!

 

Rugged Ridge also has a rebate offer. I recently bought the RR 10.5K with synthetic, love it so far.