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X-Bull 13.5 Winch


Jim Oaks

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1996 / 2021
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Ford Ranger
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6-inches
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33x12.50x15
X-BULL_Electric_Winch_XRS_13500-100.JPG
I just came across this winch a few days while browsing Amazon. I love how the hook tucks into the fairlead and is held in place with a magnet. I've also been wanting a winch with a synthetic cable instead of the steel. This thing is $463 which doesn't seem bad for a 13.5K winch with these features. In 2000 I felt lucky to find a Warn XD9000i for $500. Seems kind of crazy to me that you can still buy winches for under $500 25-years later. This would be awesome on the front of TRS-3. TRS-3 has a 9.5K winch, but I feel like these bigger Rangers should have at least a 10K. CHECK IT OUT.

x-bull_13k_black_winch.PNG
Here's a 13K for $399. I think they all come with a wired AND wireless winch. CHECK IT OUT.

x-bull_10k_winch.PNG

They have this 10K winch with a synthetic rope for $335, but it doesn't have that cool fairlead & hook setup. CHECK IT OUT.

I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these 13.5K winches for TRS-3 and taking the Smittybilt 9.5K and mounting it on a receiver so I can stick it on the back of TRS-2 or TRS-3.

 

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85_Ranger4x4

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Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
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1996 / 2021
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Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15

Robertmangrum.rm

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Tennessee
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2020
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Ford Ranger
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2.3 EcoBoost
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Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
I know several.people who run the Xbulls. Brian ran that one on his 19 Ranger. It didn't come with that fancy fairhead but I am almost certain it was a 12k. They change so much daily. I want to upgrade my winch. Suspension is gonna be first. I'm hoping to get either the Eibachs or Bilstien before our Vagabond trip.
 

Uncle Gump

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Ottawa IL
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2006/1986
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Ranger/BroncoII
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4.0L SOHC/2.9L
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My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Oh, I have to get one now!!
My last feeling i have is now bruised a bit...

I did buy an X Bull... I bought the 10k version. I was going to buy that 13.5k X Bull... but the other was on sale cheap. I had lots to buy and cheaper made better financial sense in the moment.
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
My last feeling i have is now bruised a bit...

I did buy an X Bull... I bought the 10k version. I was going to buy that 13.5k X Bull... but the other was on sale cheap. I had lots to buy and cheaper made better financial sense in the moment.
I've been using a Chinese Zesuper 10k for about 3 years now. You jut for to remember to run it 45 seconds on and at least 30 seconds rest. It says it's got like a 10 min duty cycle. But I find it hard to.trust that. I was gonna get the X Bull 10k but after the winch tray I had to find something cheaper. It was less than 300 on sale.
 

lil_Blue_Ford

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00
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4”
I’ve been thinking of getting some 12k or larger winches as money permits with synthetic line.

I still have and use the MileMarker 8k that TRS did a bulk buy of way back when. It sat for a few years in my shed, then I built a mobile mount for it that sat for a couple years until I really kinda needed a winch and it got put on the front hitch of my F-150 where it has lived for the past few years. Now that I have it hanging on there, I find myself putting it to use more frequently. I’ve also discovered that an 8k is really not a lot of winch for a truck. Best to have a snatch block handy with one of those.
 

Jim Oaks

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Vehicle Year
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Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15

Blmpkn

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Engine Type
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Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5"
Tire Size
285/75/18
My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
What's the rule of thumb for winches again? 2.5x what the rig weighs?
 

Robertmangrum.rm

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4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
What's the rule of thumb for winches again? 2.5x what the rig weighs?
I've always herd 2x but to be honest. I'm pretty sure my truck weighs more than 5k lbs.
 

Blmpkn

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2.5"
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My credo
Its probably better to be self deprecating than self defecating.
I've always herd 2x but to be honest. I'm pretty sure my truck weighs more than 5k lbs.

Oh shit yeah... IIRC the last time I took scrap back in my '21 the scale read like 5200lbs on my way out of the yard.
 

85_Ranger4x4

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Robertmangrum.rm

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2.3 EcoBoost
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Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
2.5 level kit with rear add a leaf appox. 1.5
Tire Size
285/75r17
My credo
Buy it, build it, and drive it like you stole it
Mine weighs 5k... with the Skamper in it. :icon_twisted:
With the sliders and winch tray over sizes tires and all my gear. I bet mine is well over 6k now. It was right at 4900 when I dripped a load a the dump. But it was on 32s with no add-ons back then. I really want to upgrade to a 12k soon.
 

sgtsandman

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31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Yeah, don't forget about all the junk loaded in the vehicle for a trip. Use that number rather than the empty weight of the truck as the measurement to work off of. Sure there is a margin of error built into the spec of the winch but the added weight is eating into that safety factor.
 

sgtsandman

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31X10.5R15/265/65R17
I've been using a Chinese Zesuper 10k for about 3 years now. You jut for to remember to run it 45 seconds on and at least 30 seconds rest. It says it's got like a 10 min duty cycle. But I find it hard to.trust that. I was gonna get the X Bull 10k but after the winch tray I had to find something cheaper. It was less than 300 on sale.
All the overlanders follow advocate short pulls with a cool off period, regardless of the winch brand.
 

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