Warn Winch vs Smittybilt
02-04-2015, 05:22 AM
#11
JK Freak
I have a buddy with a SmittyBilt. The only time he needed it, it didn't work. But that is really my own experience with them.. Maybe a fluke. I run a Warn and it has never let me down. I've had to pull cable more times than I can count and I've never had a problem what so ever. In my experience, especially with Jeep parts, is that you get what you pay for.
Had an XRC, first time I needed to use it, wouldn't work. Didn't care about warranty at that point, frustration drove me to send that thing straight to the trash bin. Bought a Warn Zeon same day, numerous successful pulls since.
Don't recall which model it was now, but know of another person in a local club that went through three smitty winches (two of which were warranty replacements), and they all eventually failed in some manner.
Though to counter the above, do have a friend with an X20 that has been a very reliable workhorse.
02-04-2015, 05:34 AM
#12
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2011
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The biggest issue between the two, and Smittybilt in general, is quality control. Some guys have a Smitty and it works fine, others are junk. You are hard pressed to find bad stories on a Warn. For me, a winch is something that must work every time. I went with warn.
02-04-2015, 06:03 AM
#13
I will say Warn is top of the line.
Now I'll also say others are good too. I'll say if your getting a 8000 lb winch for $400 you can't compare it to a 8000 lb $800 unit.
I had a 9500 lb Ramsey that wouldn't pull a hair out of my butt. I have seen the cheap warn 8000 lb that were junk.
Now I'll also say others are good too. I'll say if your getting a 8000 lb winch for $400 you can't compare it to a 8000 lb $800 unit.
I had a 9500 lb Ramsey that wouldn't pull a hair out of my butt. I have seen the cheap warn 8000 lb that were junk.
02-06-2015, 02:41 AM
#14
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: May 2013
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First, the difference is the price. I went with Smittybilt because I scored a good deal from http://4wheelonline.com/jeep/smittybilt.93516. I've used it extensively and it hasn't let me down. I know some guys had not so good experience with Smitty but in my case, I have no complaints so far.
02-06-2015, 04:45 AM
#15
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Jul 2007
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I would also recommend:
No matter what winch you buy, it might be smart making that "first" time using it in the driveway rather than when you are stuck in a trail! That way you can ensure you wired it right, installed correctly and working before you just assume so and hit trails only to have it not work.
No matter what winch you buy, it might be smart making that "first" time using it in the driveway rather than when you are stuck in a trail! That way you can ensure you wired it right, installed correctly and working before you just assume so and hit trails only to have it not work.
