non-warn winches

[CheapThrillB2]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[wahlstrom1]

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]

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]

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]

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 ??

 

[superdave1984]

I have a 10,000 lb Harbor Freight winch on my Jeep. Works great. Paid $379 for it. Watch their website for sales. The one thing you want to avoid is a permanent magnet motor.

 

[JohnnyU]

Honestly, you get what you pay for. You've built a nice rig thus far, why cheap out on the one thing that you'll always leave out in the rain, and neglect for possibly months at a time, but completely rely on to get yourself out of a bad situation?

Buy a Warn and like it.

 

[CheapThrillB2]

went and got a warn m8000

he had it on ebay and the bids were up to $223 and it still had 5 days left. I noticed he was out of lansing, mi (50 miles from me). So i sent him a message stating i would come and get it today with cash for $275. He got back with me and said sure. So i went and got it. Seems to work fine. The cable that was on it was junk. But i have a pretty much new cable (the one in the pic). It seems to work fine i spooled the cable onto it and the winch never hesitated and never even felt warm to the touch. Atleast now i know i can get parts for it just about anywhere unlike my old champion.