Winch Winch Winch

[DanW]

I have a Smittybilt XRC9500 in the factory steel bumper. I went as light weight as possible (syn rope version = 46lbs) because I knew I would only use it rarely. Turns out I've used it more than the winches on my JK and YJ combined in just the last year! It has run perfectly and has done multiple back to back tough pulls, yanking fellow Jeep club members' Jeeps up some very difficult terrain and it didn't appear to break a sweat doing it. It's been a great winch, so far!

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[TheLodgeOne]

I have a Smittybilt XRC9500 in the factory steel bumper. I went as light weight as possible (syn rope version = 46lbs) because I knew I would only use it rarely. Turns out I've used it more than the winches on my JK and YJ combined in just the last year! It has run perfectly and has done multiple back to back tough pulls, yanking fellow Jeep club members' Jeeps up some very difficult terrain and it didn't appear to break a sweat doing it. It's been a great winch, so far!

I second that! I have the Smittybilt XRC Gen 2 9500 pounder and have used it multiple times with no errors... One of which was to help a Nissan Titan ProX up a muddy hill.

Things to remember: if you ever will need a winch with a Wrangler, it will be to BARELY help yourself or someone else over an obstacle, so the full weight of the vehicle will rarely be pulled. The few times that it does, get a snatch block and use physics to your advantage.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JXS3BXI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did upgrade mine to a synthetic line also.

 

[McGilli]

-Out on the farm and there's a big tree down? Hang on. I'll grab the jeep and pull it this way or that so we can get to it easier with the saw

I could have used your help the other day!

 

[Mathami]

I wanted to install EVO 8000 lbp WARN on my JL with front steel mopar bumper , the weird thing that the dealer told me I dont need to install the winch mount or plate, I googled and never saw anyone installing it without a mount/plate, can it be installed without it?

 

[MichaelAnthony]

I have the warn Zeon 12k and it can't go in without a mounting plate Mopar even sells one for the Wrangler so not sure why he would have said that. I have mine mounted in my Rubicon steel bumper and have used it so many times like wow so many, not only for myself but helping others, it seems as though with the winch I take on bigger obstacles and deeper mud. Since I have installed my winch... never stuck... you can move rocks, trees and yourself and friends or not friends with the proper physics psychics? Well you understand LoL

 

[Col_Sanders]

A winch was pretty low on my priority list for the JLU but I won a 9500lb Smittybilt XRC Gen3 with synthetic rope in a raffle. I'll install it whenever my bumper comes in. Back in my SxS days, I used to winch people out a lot (used to live in LA and was in mud all the time) but here its a bit more rare to get stuck unless we are in the dunes.

As for synthetic vs steel rope, my vote is for synthetic. Its lighter weight, but more importantly safer. When steel cable breaks, it can be very dangerous. Synthetic just drops to the ground. Then you can tie it in a square not and resume winching. Also you dont have to worry about getting stabbed by steel strands when you handle it.

 

[GearWhore]

The warn solenoid kit its really easy to install. I just made a bracket to hang it on out of aluminum angle. The electrical hookup is a no brainier.

I have a Warn VR10S-Evo and Warn solenoid kit on the way. Can you post a photo or two of the aluminum bracket you made/mounted?

 

[cosmokenney]

I have a Warn VR10S-Evo and Warn solenoid kit on the way. Can you post a photo or two of the aluminum bracket you made/mounted?

I didn't have any aluminum angle left that was long enough to fit between the two factory fender bolts, so I took that flat piece and welded the last chunk of angle to it. But if you went to home depot and got a 2 or 3 inch angle you should be able to do what I did without any welding ;-)

At some point I do want to move this setup and all my custom wiring to the back of the engine compartment. I have some terminal strips that I want to run the power to for my halos and HAM radio and so on. Basically everything that is connected to my accessory switches. The solenoid is where it is because it is connected to the factory accessory switch wiring which is bundled right below the solenoid. So I was lazy and put this there.
But there isn't a lot of room for other connections there, hence wanting to move it all to the back of engine compartment by the firewall.