Best value winch?

[AcesandEights]

Personally, I don't think an 8k is adequate anymore unless you want to snatch block everytime. JL's have several models with gross vehicle weight ratings over 6k. When people start upgrading with aftermarket stuff you are getting too close to 8k for me to be comfortable, unless you are on a flat level surface.

Haha, if you are on a flat level surface, a 150 lbs person can push a 6,000+ lbs rig. You don't even need a winch for that.

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[Shibadog]

I’ve had good luck with Smittybilt. Quality product at a reasonable cost. I’m a fan of synthetic line-wire has a different set of issues. Nothings perfect but I feel safer using the synthetic line.

 

[Jimac]

I’ve had good luck with Smittybilt. Quality product at a reasonable cost. I’m a fan of synthetic line-wire has a different set of issues. Nothings perfect but I feel safer using the synthetic line.

Here my smitty have used 4 years no problems

 

[cosine]

i have a warn m8000 with 100' syn-line for my jl. its more than enough. i also have a snatch ring if i need to double up to 16k#.

 

[Zandcwhite]

https://www.amazon.com/X-BULL-Winch...l&qid=1647229397&sprefix=xbull,aps,153&sr=8-6
X-bull 10k has been solid for 2+ years. Works every time I hit the button on the wireless remote. We wheel a heavy JLUR on 38's, winch has had no issue pulling us out of bumper deep, thick mud even when the nearest tree only left 3 wraps on the drum. We carry 2 snatch blocks just in case, never had to use either one yet. At $350 you can't go wrong. Any tool can fail, why spend more than necessary for a false sense of security?

 

[The Last Cowboy]

https://www.amazon.com/X-BULL-Winch-Synthetic-Winch-10000-Capacity/dp/B08RYV6DLW/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1W8WL1OXJCQ67&keywords=xbull&qid=1647229397&sprefix=xbull,aps,153&sr=8-6
X-bull 10k has been solid for 2+ years. Works every time I hit the button on the wireless remote. We wheel a heavy JLUR on 38's, winch has had no issue pulling us out of bumper deep, thick mud even when the nearest tree only left 3 wraps on the drum. We carry 2 snatch blocks just in case, never had to use either one yet. At $350 you can't go wrong. Any tool can fail, why spend more than necessary for a false sense of security?

Nice find. Bully products has been around for decades, so I wouldn’t think they’d want their brand on junk.

The Badland winch is used by that guy on YouTube with the yellow Cherokee. Don’t know how many pulls I’ve seen that make.

Light duty winches are one of those thing that have gotten better with time. In the 80s and 90s you better know how to trouble shoot one almost every time you needed it. The choices then were huge Warns, Mile Markers and Ramseys. They always needed something, they were super heavy and the steel cables were hell on everything.

 

[mnjeeper]

My issue with the Apex was that it was in the same price range of more established brands.

I got lucky. Don't remember the exact price but my apex was under $400. The synthetic line and hook are worth half of that.

 

[Mikester86]

https://openroad4wd.com/products/openroad-9500lb-winch-panther-series2 and use code ATEMOFFROAD for $50 off.

Of course they have other offerings.

 

[Merc]

https://openroad4wd.com/products/openroad-9500lb-winch-panther-series2 and use code ATEMOFFROAD for $50 off.

Of course they have other offerings.

I just installed this winch but under AC-DK. Works just fine. Comes with a fuse box so you install that to the battery and the red wire to the fuse box.

 

[Mjr.Crash]

Here my smitty have used 4 years no problems

Nice jack placement !!!

 

[Mjr.Crash]

So .. i had thought important to get a winch thats able to use on rear mount as well as front .. i see the Xbull has a hitch mount carrier available- yet what about the wiring ?? ... i needed to be winched out from deeper snow than I anticipated recently and was only able to pull me out from rear .. so as I frequently am out on my own .. a rear mount winch would been vital .. any suggestions ? Or do all as well mount for rear also ?
im still running around with stock bumpers- so needing to purchase for winch use ..ugg..

 

[JSFoster75]

I have spent a couple of hours reading threads, and my eyes are hurting. Fatigue is kicking in. And, a JL has different needs than a JLU, which most of the comments refer to.

8k-10k #, for an infrequent off-roader (so far?)...what winch is reliable enough, yet affordable enough? You know...best bang for the buck? Warn is pretty proud of their stuff, even though they aren't the only reliable winch manu in the biz. I don't give a flip about the name plate, as long as the darned thing works.

I am trying to prioritize my mod list (aluminum bumpers, winch, muffler), and cost has to be considered...

I went with the Rough Country 9500S from eBay, it was around $500 I think?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363187106557?epid=21017021603&hash=item548fa372fd:g:ISIAAOSwv5phadoN

 

[blnewt]

Got the Smitty XRC Gen2 9500 a couple years ago, 4wp (going thru Amazon) had it for $274. The price on these fluctuates like gasoline, it was a low of 270 to a high of 380. They're about 320 now
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JXS3BXI
Used it about 20 times, mainly for shrub removal and pulling dead vehicles to a safe place, only one recovery. Winch pulls strong, easy to use and never seems to struggle. 5yr warranty on the unit w/ some parts having lifetime coverage (I'd be lying if I knew what parts those are though).

EDIT~Lifetime mechanical warranty, 5yr electrical warranty

I used to have a Ramsey winch on my CJ5 and that was a beastly machine, not sure how Ramseys are these days but they sure had a solid reputation back in the day

 

[Trauma PA]

I cannot with a clear conscience recommend X-bull winches to my fellow jeepers. Their customer service is non existence and here is what happened to my clutch within 2 months of ownership.

 

[blnewt]

I cannot with a clear conscience recommend X-bull winches to my fellow jeepers. Their customer service is non existence and here is what happened to my clutch within 2 months of ownership.

Damn! Where do you live, next to a smelter???

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