Winch choices?

[nsxxtreme]

I'm looking for a winch for my blazer. I dont have a bumper yet but will probably get one custom made. I know a lot of people on here like Warn's.

I however realisticly will probably use this winch maybe once a year.
4wheelparts.com seems to have a decent selection and decent prices.

Does anyone recomend those smittybuilt or mile marker winches? I was thinking of getting a 9K lbs or 10k lbs winch. That should be enough for a blazer right?

 

[big pappa b]

Plenty of threads here on winch choices but I say buy the biggest you can afford. Name brands are more $$$.
The Engo winches that ProFender ( CK5 Vendor ) sells have good reviews, are inexpensive and I believe they still have free shipping. Outside of that is the ones Harbor Freight sells. I will be buying one of these two winches long before I pay double or triple for a Warn

 

[nsxxtreme]

Plenty of threads here on winch choices but I say buy the biggest you can afford. Name brands are more $$$.
The Engo winches that ProFender ( CK5 Vendor ) sells have good reviews, are inexpensive and I believe they still have free shipping. Outside of that is the ones Harbor Freight sells. I will be buying one of these two winches long before I pay double or triple for a Warn

Ya I'd probably pass on the harbor frieght. I break enough of their tools to know that they are a one time use type of company. You buy it knowing it will work right the first time only!!

 

[Fingerless]

Are the Engo Winches Comparable to the WARN's 8274 or the Warn M12000 in size?

Im looking at getting an Abomb from Kert and want to make sure the winch I get will fit!!

 

[nvrenuf]

If I were my $$ I'd buy a used Warn 8274.

 

[big dan]

The engo winches seem like a good deal, I may grab one when I have to money.

I have a few friends that have bought and love smittybuilt winches and I have one friend that bought a promark (used to be gorilla winches) from ebay and likes it.

I know of several harbor freight winches that either didnt work when new or dont work now. Except for one, my buddy got a 10,000 lb and it will barely pull his stock jeep on flat ground.

If you are racing or your life may depend on it for whatever reason a warn makes sense but for recreational limited usage I dont see a problem with the cheaper winches.

 

[nsxxtreme]

All I care is the thing works ocassionally. I set my artificial budget at $500. I'll take a look at those Engo's.

 

[2BLAZERS]

For $500 I'd look at craigslist for a used WARN winch or get one of the value WARN brands ones....Can you tell I like WARN? Its the one time you need it you will really NEED it.

 

[clandr1]

if i were my $$ i'd buy a used warn 8274.

+1000

 

[nsxxtreme]

+1000

I kinda knew this would occur. I know these are popular winches although I have no intention of buying a used one for some rediculous price on craigslist then spending a fortune to rebuild it. I did look at these and people are smoking dope and think they are made of gold. I wouldn't use the thing anywhere near enough times to justify one.

So with that said let's please reframe from these types of post. They don't ad any value to the conversation.

 

[nsxxtreme]

For $500 I'd look at craigslist for a used WARN winch or get one of the value WARN brands ones....Can you tell I like WARN? Its the one time you need it you will really NEED it.

I've seen a bunch of complaints on the web regarding WARN's value brand. They seem to break just like every other winch made.

 

[onetonbb74]

id go used warn. When your done with it, you can sell it for the same price you paid for it...

 

[RootBreaker]

ill put it to you this way..

i got lucky and got a sponsored deal as a few others did here..
from ramsey... i tried contacting the guy and no reply so guess he is gone..

but i got a ramsey patriot 15,000 with wireless fob kit..

now i went BIG due to BIG truck + (Detroits x 2) = massive stuck

now i have never used the winch... i went to take it off my truck so i could do something.. and it didnt work.. thought the batteries are bad.. maybe they are.. but instead.. winch ended up being rusted... long story short (go search for it) but it is now working again and im building a spot out of the weather for it..


so back on track.... you want a winch by
"Count on it" factor.. not "Wallet" factor...

lets say you buy a cheap winch... and you go to use it and it works... then next day you use it and it works.... third day you use it and it leaves you stranded.... well you didnt pay much and it saved u twice....

now you pay good money (didnt say a lot of money)... for a reputable unit... and also know knowing proper maintenance... and use it for MANY, MANY pulls...

trust me im a guy that buys cheap when i can... and this is one area where it is a fine line.. to do it ok and hope it is good enough or do it where you kinow it is good..

everyone will say that one specific warn.. if it wasnt for the ramsey deal id have a warn.... that one everyone raves about...

 

[Bowtie85]

Chalk another one up for the 8274 for this guy.

Buddy o mine has a warn powerplant, seems to work quite well.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I've seen a bunch of complaints on the web regarding WARN's value brand. They seem to break just like every other winch made.

I think you're thinking of the Tabor brand (overseas) that has been discontinued.

I've heard nothing but good things about their new value winches, made in the US (with some US and some foreign parts).

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WRN-86245/

 

[Cruz89K5]

A friend and I both have 10K smittybilts on our 3/4 ton Dodges. With the front replacement, me in it and a full tank of fuel mine weighs in around 8k. The smittybilts have been pretty reliable. His had a problem with the control box not being sealed, but they fixed it no questions asked. Mine's pulled my truck out several times. I've used it to move trees after a tornado, pick up a collapsed building frame to pull out cars inside and used it to load countless cars on trailers. Its a little slow, but it works well.

If my life depended on the winch to be reliable I'd buy a warn, but for my use on my 3/4 ton the smittybilt hasnt disappointed one bit.

 

[nsxxtreme]

I think you're thinking of the Tabor brand (overseas) that has been discontinued.

I've heard nothing but good things about their new value winches, made in the US (with some US and some foreign parts).

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WRN-86245/

No actually I'm thinking of the value brand. Parts made in China assembled in the USA doesn't =Made in the USA. I think there was even a recent winch review where the warn broke the first time out. So so much for being there when you need it.

I think people fall in love with brands and fail to admit they have the same short commings as everyone else. Made in China is Made in china no matter what name you slap on it.

The cheapest Warn is $479 for a VR8000 I won't pay more then $500 and I think I can probably find something better then that one in the $500 price range.

 

[nsxxtreme]

now i have never used the winch... i went to take it off my truck so i could do something.. and it didnt work.. thought the batteries are bad.. maybe they are.. but instead.. winch ended up being rusted... long story short (go search for it) but it is now working again and im building a spot out of the weather for it...

So you didn't take proper care of it and you blame them for that?
Even Warn sells winch covers to keep them out of the weather.

 

[496truck]

Funny thing is, I was searching and pricing winches this morning.

For the HF Badland 12k winch $400
Smittybuilt 12k about $100 more.
Warn entry level 10k just under $200 more and less capacity.

I have read some good reviews on the Smittys. People over on pirate mostly. Said they had them for years and worked every time.

The cheapskate in me says to buy the HF winch for the amount of times I won't use it.

The pimp in me says get the Warn for the Bling factor.

I'll probably settle for the 12k Smitty.

 

[nsxxtreme]

I'll probably settle for the 10k Smitty.

That's what I'm thinking. Smittybilt X2O 10 Winch