non-warn winches

CheapThrillB2 · 08-09-2008, 09:08 PM

tell me what works what to stay away from

I have a Champion 8K and its a POS

Looking at a Vortex, Gorilla, Smitty

Looking at about $300

**Destroyer000** · 08-09-2008, 10:25 PM

ive got the smitty 8k an the first day i got it i fitted it to my bumper an buried my truck it works AWESOME!

Loanranger · 08-09-2008, 10:31 PM

Smittybilt all the way. They are supposively rebadged T-max. Make sure you get one of the updated ones though, they are 5.5 hp and series wound, instead of the older 4.? hp and permanent magnet motors. Some vendors may still have these older ones. I've got one on my zook, and my dad's got one on his Ranger, and they both do great.

c_note · 08-09-2008, 11:25 PM

me personally... id say save for six months if you have to for a warn. anyone who has experienced cheapos and warns will tell you the same. worth the pretty penny.

**Will** · 08-10-2008, 12:02 AM

Anything around $300 comes from the Chinese winch factory. Spend $600 and get an integrated, sealed solenoid Superwinch Epi 9.5. It's very fast, very reliable, very strong. I whipped 2 Chinese winches at $300 each before I came to my senses. I wish I had done this right away because it ended up costing me $1,200 to aquire a good winch.

4x4mike2004 · 08-10-2008, 12:05 AM

i have a vortex i got off ebay for less than 300, and i've beaten the snot out off it. it has pulled several jeeps, my ranger up a steep gradde, submerged and frozen, i even pulled my fire companys 2 1/2 ton brush truck with it (it was a flat pull on pavement). the only problem that i have with it is a few rust spots on it and it draws alot of power from my battery. I have a cheepie battery in the truck now so that might be the problem. Personally i think warn winches are very over priced.

alabamaranger · 08-10-2008, 12:05 AM

What is wrong with the Champion? I am using the Harbor Freight 9000 pound winch. It has a 2 year replacement plan. A lot of people say it's a Ramsey winch.

4x4mike2004 · 08-10-2008, 12:12 AM

i think there are a few companies that market their winches under different names. Same winch minus the $300 logo on it.

**wahlstrom1** · 08-10-2008, 03:08 AM

Watch for good deals....I bought my M8000 Warn for $200, and had a buddy today buy an M10000 for $100, and turned around and sold it for $800. I'm waiting for a buddy of mine to trade me his 8274, I just have to find him a set of 16" durango wheels (harder then you think) to run his military tires on his Dakota with.

-andrew

**metalmacguyver** · 08-10-2008, 08:12 AM

As far as getting a winch, keep a look out for used ones. I picked up my $900 warn xd9000i for 500 bucks with an accessory kit, reciever hitch, reciever mount, and a Hilift!

rickcdewitt · 08-10-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabamaranger

I am using the Harbor Freight 9000 pound winch. It has a 2 year replacement plan. A lot of people say it's a Ramsey winch.

it specs out as the same as a mile marker in the off road mags

Bent Bolt · 08-10-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalmacguyver

As far as getting a winch, keep a look out for used ones. I picked up my $900 warn xd9000i for 500 bucks with an accessory kit, reciever hitch, reciever mount, and a Hilift!

Absolutely !! Just be patient and look around. I got my 9000# Tabor with a F-350 winch bumper for $400.00 and am selling the bumper for $200.00 . Not a high end winch by any means but it works, just a bit slow.

But for $200.00 I'm happy. Maybe I'll sell it later for $400.00 and put it toward a better winch ??

08-09-2008, 09:08 PM	#1
CheapThrillB2 May 2010 OTOTM Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Western Michigan Year: 1975-1995 Ford Make: FORD Model: Ford Engine: soon 5.8L Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Anger Management Posts: 1,759 Rep Power: 15 iTrader: (2)	non-warn winches tell me what works what to stay away from I have a Champion 8K and its a POS Looking at a Vortex, Gorilla, Smitty Looking at about $300 __________________ Built Not Bought CheapThrills-OffRoad 3 time Off Road TOTM winner
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08-09-2008, 10:25 PM	#2
Destroyer000 January 2009 STOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plattsburgh, NY Year: 1995 1999 Make: Ford Ford Model: Ranger 4x4 Engine: 4.0. 4.0 Supercharged Class: 4x4 offroad, 4x4 dd Used For: work, dd, trail, race Posts: 1,504 Rep Power: 15 iTrader: (21)	ive got the smitty 8k an the first day i got it i fitted it to my bumper an buried my truck it works AWESOME! __________________ 95 4x4 35 bfg 15x10 soft 8s custom front/rear bumpers,xrc8 winch explorer disc 4.56ls axle locked d44 EB axle sas power leather explorer seats, OHC, m1354, 04 SOHC 4.0 swap 00 4 door cab swap 99 4x4 avm upgrade, 32 bfg on dc1s, ohc, sport trac leather seats/console swapped to manual trans
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08-09-2008, 10:31 PM	#3
Loanranger Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Puyallup, Wa Year: 1989/ 1972 Make: Ford/ Fordzuki Model: Ranger SC XLT/ Mutt? Engine: 2.9/2.3 Class: 4x4/Custom Used For: Daily driver/Jeep Recovery Posts: 842 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (0)	Smittybilt all the way. They are supposively rebadged T-max. Make sure you get one of the updated ones though, they are 5.5 hp and series wound, instead of the older 4.? hp and permanent magnet motors. Some vendors may still have these older ones. I've got one on my zook, and my dad's got one on his Ranger, and they both do great. __________________ Sold the ranger Fordzuki, 72' Suzuki LJ20, w/ '97 2.3 and M50d, locked, geared, linked rear, 34x10.50s Daily driver, '86 Suzuki Samurai, stock other than geared t-case and a rear lockright.
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08-09-2008, 11:25 PM	#4
c_note September 2009 OTOM Winner Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: back in San Diego, CA Year: 2002 Make: Ranger/Explorer Model: Fx4/Rubicon Engine: 4.0 sohc Class: 4x4 Extreme/Race/Mall Used For: dd and time consumption Posts: 839 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (1)	me personally... id say save for six months if you have to for a warn. anyone who has experienced cheapos and warns will tell you the same. worth the pretty penny.
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08-10-2008, 12:02 AM	#5
Will Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Columbus, Indiana Year: 1989 Make: Ford Model: Bronco II Engine: 4.0 Class: 4X4 Used For: a chicken house Posts: 5,855 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	Anything around $300 comes from the Chinese winch factory. Spend $600 and get an integrated, sealed solenoid Superwinch Epi 9.5. It's very fast, very reliable, very strong. I whipped 2 Chinese winches at $300 each before I came to my senses. I wish I had done this right away because it ended up costing me $1,200 to aquire a good winch. __________________ '83 Ranger cab, '89 B2 frame, 4.0, C5, D35/8.8, 4.10s, Lockrights. '87 Chevy crew 6.2 Banks turbodiesel TH400 GearVendors 4.10 14-bolt Detroit '96 VW Passat Tdi '00 Ford E350 15-pax Powerstroke '09 Suzuki TU250X '04 Moto Guzzi Breva http://willwills.com/
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08-10-2008, 12:05 AM	#6
4x4mike2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hazleton PA Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.squirill Class: 4x4 crazy Used For: scaring small children and the feint of heart Posts: 462 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (0)	i have a vortex i got off ebay for less than 300, and i've beaten the snot out off it. it has pulled several jeeps, my ranger up a steep gradde, submerged and frozen, i even pulled my fire companys 2 1/2 ton brush truck with it (it was a flat pull on pavement). the only problem that i have with it is a few rust spots on it and it draws alot of power from my battery. I have a cheepie battery in the truck now so that might be the problem. Personally i think warn winches are very over priced.
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08-10-2008, 12:05 AM	#7
alabamaranger Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leeds AL Year: 90 YJ Wrangler Engine: 4.2 Class: 4x4 Posts: 153 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (0)	What is wrong with the Champion? I am using the Harbor Freight 9000 pound winch. It has a 2 year replacement plan. A lot of people say it's a Ramsey winch.
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08-10-2008, 12:12 AM	#8
4x4mike2004 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hazleton PA Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.squirill Class: 4x4 crazy Used For: scaring small children and the feint of heart Posts: 462 Rep Power: 13 iTrader: (0)	i think there are a few companies that market their winches under different names. Same winch minus the $300 logo on it.
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08-10-2008, 08:12 AM	#10
metalmacguyver Yeah, I built that. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Plymouth MA home, Buzzards Bay MA Year: 1997, 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger, F350 Engine: 4.0, 7.3 Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: Working and Wheeling Posts: 3,822 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (28)	As far as getting a winch, keep a look out for used ones. I picked up my $900 warn xd9000i for 500 bucks with an accessory kit, reciever hitch, reciever mount, and a Hilift! __________________ Horsepower is how fast you hit a wall. Torque is how far you move a wall. http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ad.php?t=21890 1994 F350 7.3L PSD, 5spd, DD/tow rig, 2wd for now... 1997 Excab/4.0/5spd/Manual1354/4.88/locked F/R /35"BFG MTs/WarnXD9000i/6"lift/HYDROBOOST!!/Extended radius arms/Wheeling only.
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