Winch regrets?
#21
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
This is pretty well how I feel as well. I'm not going to be wheeling very often, but I want some insurance that I can get out of a bad spot. Use a cheap winch twice and you've already paid for it vs being towed out.
With that in mind check out THIS article from JP Magazine titled "Winch Buyers Guide - The Affordable Winch Review. Big Pull, Little Dollars". You can even purchase the entire back issue digitally for .99
Based on the article and other members opinions, I think I'm going with the Smittybilt XRC 8 (tons of threads discussing this one).
Hope this helps
With that in mind check out THIS article from JP Magazine titled "Winch Buyers Guide - The Affordable Winch Review. Big Pull, Little Dollars". You can even purchase the entire back issue digitally for .99
Based on the article and other members opinions, I think I'm going with the Smittybilt XRC 8 (tons of threads discussing this one).
Hope this helps
#22
JK Freak
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I just bought the Mile Marker Pec8, saw the review as well in Jp magazine. I have only used it once so far, but no complaints, worked great. They have been on sale in the $349.00 range.
#23
JK Enthusiast
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XRC8 problems
I thought it would be worth saving some $$$ on a XRC8.... boy was I wrong... It has been a month or phone calls between 4wd and Smitty and I now have a winch with two motors---one in peices. I would suggest anyone buy a different winch. If I cant find a motor shop to put all the pieces together i guess I have a new boat anchor
#24
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
I thought it would be worth saving some $$$ on a XRC8.... boy was I wrong... It has been a month or phone calls between 4wd and Smitty and I now have a winch with two motors---one in peices. I would suggest anyone buy a different winch. If I cant find a motor shop to put all the pieces together i guess I have a new boat anchor
#25
JK Enthusiast
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Bought me a MileMarker 9.5......Not bad at all for the price. I have had to use it once already. Reason I went with them was not only price, but I am in the military and used them numerous of times trying to get up mountains in Korea when snowed over. If the military uses them, why not...
#26
JK Enthusiast
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I dont use it often, but my Warn M8000 for $500 a few months back was one of the best things I baught.. The first trip on after I put it on, i needed it, and it worked perfectly... Dont go big if you dont think you will need it, just buy a quality brand and you will be fine
Could it break? Sure. Has it been reliable so far, even though it goes a long time between uses?
#27
JK Newbie
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Shop around for the best deal you can find on a Warn M8000. If there's anyway you can make the stretch financially, it's a winch you can count on years of use from as opposed to saving a few bucks up front and gambling on what you'll get for your money.
#28
JK Newbie
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I actually just took a quick look on Ebay and I see a new Warn M8000 with 100 ft of 3/8 cable and a roller fairlead, with free shipping, for $539. That's not a whole lot more then the "bargain" winches. A winch is one area where I'd say try and do things right the first time if at all possible rather then go cheap and plan to upgrade later.
#29
I thought it would be worth saving some $$$ on a XRC8.... boy was I wrong... It has been a month or phone calls between 4wd and Smitty and I now have a winch with two motors---one in peices. I would suggest anyone buy a different winch. If I cant find a motor shop to put all the pieces together i guess I have a new boat anchor
#30
JK Super Freak
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4 wheel parts can service a winch.
Check our craigs list. I got my XD9000i used for $500.
Works like a champ. I inspected it first and tested it before buying and it didn't hiccup at all.
I've since had two pretty good pulls.
My previous winch was a warn xd9000 (non-integrated winch)
I'm of the opinion to get the most that you can afford and encourge people to look at least a 9,000 lbs winch.
Not everyone I wheel with is a "light weight" rig...not to mention, when you add armor, bumpers, gear, you can tip the scales pretty quick!
Check our craigs list. I got my XD9000i used for $500.
Works like a champ. I inspected it first and tested it before buying and it didn't hiccup at all.
I've since had two pretty good pulls.
My previous winch was a warn xd9000 (non-integrated winch)
I'm of the opinion to get the most that you can afford and encourge people to look at least a 9,000 lbs winch.
Not everyone I wheel with is a "light weight" rig...not to mention, when you add armor, bumpers, gear, you can tip the scales pretty quick!