They’ll need all the help they can get!! Btw, the way you’ve built up your rig, the Zeon will be you using it to rescue others. if you plan on keeping baby for a while, you may as well spend on the winch - buy once, cry once. You’ll be happy you did lol.
It seems like the VR would do well for me, since I'm not exactly wheeling regularly, but American made and sticking to premium do-dads keeps bringing me back to a Zeon. And yeah, with all the broncos that will eventually be stuck and log jambing the trails, I might end up burning out a standard winch.
Unfortunately, the Zeon is on national backorder until the end of this or the beginning of next year. It could end up being a wait to the end of next years first quarter, or beyond, for me to see one if I jump on the end the list now. I did see one in stock on Amazon, which maybe I should've jumped on, but I hesitated long enough for it to get gobbled up because I've never gotten anything serious from them. Usually just dog food and whatnot.
The minimum 1.5x vehicle weight rule is what knocks the 8s out of the running for my Jeep. It's got to be approaching 6k lbs, and if not, it will be by the time I'm done. I'm sure the 8s would pull that weight, no problem, but I'd prefer that extra bit of head room with the 10s. Similar to the ceiling that the 8s has over your decently lighter 2 door. If I was at stock weight, it'd get a whole lot more consideration.
Yeah, watching the video above reminded me of that. The zeon uses a busbar style contactor, which is definitely sexier in its cleanness. I'd go as far as saying that the VR looks way better, when not sitting right next to the Zeon. Also, that contactor has less resistance than the added cabling, so a slightly stronger current is getting to the motor. So, a looks and function benefit.When I was looking for a winch, both of these were in the running. I came across a great deal on a used EVO, but when I went to get it one thing changed my mind, the wires/cables sticking out of the side of the control box. I know its only cosmetic, but in my opinion it looks terrible. Might not bother some folks at all, but exposed wires infuriate my OCD.
Good grief is that ugly! Even Rough Country winches look better than that.When I was looking for a winch, both of these were in the running. I came across a great deal on a used EVO, but when I went to get it one thing changed my mind, the wires/cables sticking out of the side of the control box. I know its only cosmetic, but in my opinion it looks terrible. Might not bother some folks at all, but exposed wires infuriate my OCD.
They are waiting on the boat to arrive with the parts so they can build them in USA.
That's a shoot from the hip kinda rule.
Yeah, more peace of mind than anything. And as much as it would suck to have a winch failure pulling myself, I'd further hate for it to happen when trying to help someone else. Same thing as self inflicted trail damage vs a door ding in a parking lot.
The other perspective -- the more capable the Jeep the more likely it is to get you somewhere that a winch could be very critical to get you out of a big "oh shit!" scenario.Great points about the relationship between how a jeep is built up and how less frequently any winch would be needed until pushing the raised limitations.
It's funny, I get asked if I'm a transplant from the Midwest on a fairly regular basis. It's rare to see a jeep with anything more than a mopar lift and 35's around here. Occasionally I'll come across 37's, but nothing added to help support them.
I definitely wasn't built for my area. My 2 favorite past times are AR15's and more recently building up a Jeep for offroading. 2 things that are hated by new york.My work is the only thing holding me here. Otherwise, my wife and I would've already been gone.
Thanks for the food for thought and the kind words about my Jeep!
