Best winch for money

[atomno1]

Ok this is what I am up against. Right now I have a 98 XJ with 4.5 in of lift. I am using 3in BDS coils with 1.5 in spacer in front. I have a 3in leaf pack with a shackle in the back. The back has a no slip locker in and the lock rite is on back order for the front. I also have a Rigid bumber on the way as well as his sliders. I had my money saved for tires but all the ones that I want are on back order. So I said to my self now would be a great time to get a winch. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree what winch would you get keeping the cost as modest as possiable. If you disagree what would you do?

TIA for the help.

[hoytinak]

if you don't already have good tow points front and rear get them first. a winch is real nice if you go out wheelin by yourself, plus you can make extra money pulling people out :laugh3: ....mine has saved me many times...i've just got a warn m8000 and it's a great winch
Trevor

[atomno1]

Tow points with new bumper. Rear bumper coming before too long with points also

[maineiac]

i have been looking into a winch for a while now and from what i have found the superwinch epi9000 looks to be the best bang for the buck, fast speed and less money, and it also comes with a roller fairlead and a snatchblock. i would love to hear from anyone that has one because i am almost certin that is what i will get

[TRL WGN 1]

go Warn or don't bother
The motors hold up the best
they have the best line speed, and they give the least amount of trouble overall.
Shop around and you can get a good deal. One of the 8000# Warns is plenty for an XJ.

[92AKXJ]

Warn

(this is one of those "do it right, do it once" deals)

[hoytinak]

go Warn or don't bother
The motors hold up the best
they have the best line speed, and they give the least amount of trouble overall.
Shop around and you can get a good deal. One of the 8000# Warns is plenty for an XJ.

I agree, i've put my warn m8000 through it's paces over the past 3 years i've had it with zero problems. I think I paid around $500 for it on sale somewhere but not too sure....still though i believe warn is worth the money.
trevor

[Ramsey]

go warn, i have a milemarker. it works good but is slow as hell. no problems though even after about a year of heavy use. would much rather have a warn. well i take that back, one problem. it doesnt free spool anymore. i'll be getting a warn when i can afford it.

[ROBZ95Xj]

Anyone here running the Warn 9.5 XP? If so how do you like it?
Whats better Hawse or Roller Fairlead?

[XJ667]

This is a good deal on Warn!

http://www.4wd.com/shop/productdetail.asp?model=tj&productsku=20910

[Frank Z]

I've been impressed by both Ramsey and Warn. I honestly haven't heard anything really bad about either so I asked a few tow truck oprators what they used on their trucks.

Ramsey.

So that's what I went with.

[TRL WGN 1]

those Ramsey's are industrial grade

Much better than what we buy for our Jeeps

Ramsey's are SLOW and the motors burn up if not rested frequently

[ryurabbit]

T-bent has a warn 9.5ti and I like it. He LOVES it after this last weekend in big bear. I love my warn m8000 little slower but hella reliable as long as the bolt in the box dont back out of the solenoid and you lose connection! (inside joke)

Also rule of thumb with any jeep item when you need it most is when it wont work or it will be broke!

[Frank Z]

Any electric motor will burn up if misused or abused. Speed is not a big issue for me, as long as the winch can get me out of whatever mess I've gotten myself into, well that's what it's all about.

One of the biggest mistakes that I've seen people make with a shiny new winch is that they consider their rig to be impervious to any obstacle. A winch is great insurance, and just like insurance it's something you hope you never need. Just about any winch will do in a pinch, even a Hi-lift used as a come-a-long can get you out of a "stuck."

Industrial grade or not, they have a good reputation and that means something.

Warn, Ramsey, Milemarker, either one you choose is better than nothing.....or a shovel.;)

[hoytinak]

Any electric motor will burn up if misused or abused. Speed is not a big issue for me, as long as the winch can get me out of whatever mess I've gotten myself into, well that's what it's all about.

One of the biggest mistakes that I've seen people make with a shiny new winch is that they consider their rig to be impervious to any obstacle. A winch is great insurance, and just like insurance it's something you hope you never need. Just about any winch will do in a pinch, even a Hi-lift used as a come-a-long can get you out of a "stuck."

Industrial grade or not, they have a good reputation and that means something.

Warn, Ramsey, Milemarker, either one you choose is better than nothing.....or a shovel.;)

that said, he's right they're all decent names...one thing you gonna remember though is proper mantiance, no matter which one you get it's very important for the life of the winch and possibly any around while you use it.

[Kejtar]

I'd say warn for another reason: if you need to winch and your remote goes bad or gets misplaced, you have a higher likelyhood of finding someone in the group with another warn then any other winch.
In regards to prices, search around: about 2 months ago I found a deal with it being under $500 (I think it was $460 or something like that, I'd have to find my receipt to be sure) with a free tree saver strap and free shipping. I printed that out, took to my local 4wp show and they matched it.

[YETI]

Warn.

[indyjeepnut]

Warn!

[shelbyluvv]

I have a Ramsey 8.5e and I really like the little guy. It is a bit slow but it has never let me down. I use it all the time. For $399 shipped from Sam's Offroad it is a steal.

[Ramsey]

I have a Ramsey 8.5e and I really like the little guy. It is a bit slow but it has never let me down. I use it all the time. For $399 shipped from Sam's Offroad it is a steal.
thanks, although i resent the slow comment

[jdougn]

I've got the Warn 8274 but would not recommend it in your situation because nobody that I could find makes an XJ bumper to fit it. :mad:

[Ironmen77]

I have a Ramsey 8.5e and I really like the little guy. It is a bit slow but it has never let me down. I use it all the time. For $399 shipped from Sam's Offroad it is a steal.


DITTO!

[heeperman]

Ever wonder why Superwinch is the most used winch in the world..................how many Warn winches do you see in Africa or South America...???? Camel Trophy..........Superwinch, Rhino Challenge......Superwinch........the EP series is an amazing deal, greater line speed less, less amp draw, 21/64" cable versus 5/16" on Warn etc....( 9000lb series) greater stall rating, Superwinch has amazing products.........but assume that the operators of the winch have a respect and the knowledge of how to operate a winch. Can I stall a Superwinch sure I can (if I dont care about it), and yes I have stalled and Warn 8274, Ramsey RE-series.....why because I was operating beyond the capabilities of the winch. Learn proper recovery techniques (using snatch blocks for double-triple-quad-..-...-... pulls) and no mater what whinch you use will serve you well. Anything you can do to make the recovery process easier on the winch (using you hi-lift to break the suction of the goo on your ride etc....) will give you greater performance and longevity. Look after your gear and it will not let you down.....I read once on a thread here about a guy that bought a winch and did not want the "poser" look of his cable (meaning nice unifrom wraps and layers of cable), its not a poser look.........its a sign of a professional..........whats the breaking strenth of your cable.....that kink you have reduces it by how much??? All the major manufactures winches are good, take the time to compare the specs to see what you actually get.......Superwinch EPi9000 (complete with snatch block and roller fairlead) on avergae in the US about $500...........or you can get a Warn M8000 (nothing extra) or a Milemarker E9000 (with a roller) or a Ramsey 8.5REP (with nothing) look at the specs, line speed amp draw, cable diameter, type of moter, compatibility with synthetic line etc.... before you make a decision.
The Superwinch EP series if a great value, and at a lower price as the compnay tries to gain a larger portion of the North American market.