I'm not so sure that a frame actually has a "winch strength rating" on it. At least I've never heard of it. Now of course the bolts you'd use should be properly rated for the job. Bolts would be the first thing to give in if not the right ones. I'd think that closed box frame would stand up to quite a bit. Warn could probably tell you if it's wise to mount their big winches to your Jeep if you're nervous.

I'd think a 9.5 would be plenty though. Your Jeep only weights like 3,999lbs. So it's not your weight that's a problem. If you were to come across a 2008 Chevy 3/4ton crew cab stuck in the mud it only weighs 5,379lbs (less if it's 2wd). What do you think you'll need to pull out?

 

LOL

The BUMPER that you mount to the jeeps frame is designed for a particular strength winch limit....remember, not all pulls are in a straight line, and despite your jeep weighing less than 5K LB, etc...sink it into sucking mud, and see how much force it takes to pull it out.



I've seen 'lil CJ's in sucking mud act as anchors, dragging in daisey chains of larger winch rigs....the forces involved are shocking.

So - if the winch mount is rated for 9K, or 9.5K lb....and you subject it to 12K...it might rip or bend something.

If the guys selling the winch mounts/bumpers thought it could take more weight, you can be SURE they'd advertise that theirs was stronger than the competitions', etc.



So - You're 100% correct about the trucks not having a rating....that's a tort liability issue they'd avoid if possible anyway....too many variables.

And, the bolts are of course a factor...both in Grade, and girth, and, in arrangement to brace the mount against the potential forces, from the different up/down/left/right vectors it may be subjected to.

For example, two bolts an inch apart, will NOT have the bracing that those same bolts would have if 1' apart...due to the leverage applied to the space, etc.

Some winch mounts just don't have the length/depth/width required to space large enough bolts as needed...so, that becomes the limiting factor.

You Can cheat of course, and weld/bolt on additional braces as needed, etc...to strengthen the mount to withstand the additional forces.

Sleeving the frame horns, triangulating the box, etc, have all been used to beef up the weight capacity...and if you have the right CAD/skills, etc...you could actually guess at the new rating for the modified assembly.

ARB, etc....did THEIR CAD work, and calculations, and gave THEIR guess as to what (Their engineers & lawyers) would be comfortable as a rating....if they say 9k....that's probably their best guess....etc.

If Shrockworks says 9.5K...that's probably THEIR best guess, etc.

And so forth.



For our size rigs...9.5K IS plenty - that's a lot of pulling power.

 

To piggy back on TEEJ, if your jeep is stuck behind a boulder, your winch is not only trying tp pull you forward but up and out as well. That up component is a real bear. Whether its mud or a boulder, the load to the winch grows signifianctly.

 

So going over that boulder how much more weight has that added to your Jeep? 10K? 30K? 95,000,000,000,000?

Just to get a ball park figure here. The Jeep weighs about 4,000lbs and it sounds like maybe a 9.5k winch is not enough to pull it or a 5,000lb truck out of the mud. Perhaps when Warn developed their winches they were made for just pulling you on flat pavement? Hrmm.


Yes, it creates more pull needed. But does that mean you need a 10k or 12k winch? No, I don't think so.

 

Out of curiosity. Has any one actually seen a winch rip free or bend the bumper or frame?

 

id like to hear this answer

 

the motors burn out or overheat before it rips off. all mounting bolts are the same for each brand of winch manufacturer. so the mounting plate or bumper may be rated for a certain rating. the 20 other things will give long before any winch gets ripped off.

 

Hi! Unlike some other things in life... a bigger winch isn't always better. If your rig is stuck between a rock and your anchor point...jack up the JEEP with the Hi-Lift to allow for a "flatter" pull instead of trying to pull the JEEP through the rock. If you need more power...put a snatch block in and double the power that way. Try to think in terms of leverage and mechanical advantage instead of raw power. Your JEEP will thank you for it! Take care... Mike

 

So am I to assume the a 8k winch will be fine.

 

yeah you should be all set, grab a snatch block just in case, or just go with a 10k! lol...