Need Winch Advice

[BIGNASTY]

SIL just bought a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited SAHARA 4X4 She wanting to add a winch to it. Never being much for off-roading (and neither is she) we don't know much about them. Any assistance would be of help. She's mainly looking at it as an assist if she ever gets stuck in our winter weather.


Thanks BIG

 

[JR]

Well, Warn and Ramsey are still one of the better brands out there but your gonna pay for it. I've got a Quadratec and it's been a good unit for me and half the price of the lower end Warns. The Quadratec Q series and Competition series has a 1 year warranty on electrical and limited lifetime on mechanical parts. Limited meaning they cover parts failures, but not abuse. Last I had looked, only the companies like Warn and Ramsey offered that type of warranty, most others are 1-2 years at best.

I'm also a fan of synthetic rope. Care has to be used when using it (use tree savers instead of wrapping the rope around the tree/object, etc) but they don't kink and they don't rust. No slivers to stick you with. I suppose there could be some draw backs and I know people who still prefer a steel cable, so I suppose it all comes down to preference.

 

[GHarman]

Back in the day, we installed a few OX Super Winch 10,000# in Gov. vehicles for special applications.
I don't know much about their longevity or reliability. I have used the Warn Electrics and GI issue PTO powered units. I also hate wire rope.
But??? IMHO, I believe, with the proper care, wire rope will be the longest serving retrieval line. With high humidity, it will require periodic wiping and oiling. Definitely agree with using "tree savers"! The synthetic rope is far easier to abrade and is subject to different environmental degradation such as HEAT, ozone?, sunlight?. Course, Synthetic rope could be a light weight, for emergency only application. A winch cover would be a must-have. Working Roller fair heads are a must have.
Hope this helps?

GregH

http://www.superwinch.com/c/off-road

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/lifting/winches/wireropechart.htm

Wire rope to synthetic conversion chart
https://www.customsplice.com/conversion_table

Proprietary concerns;
http://jeepjamboreeusa.com/3-hidden-dangers-in-switching-your-winch-to-synthetic-rope/

 

[JR]

Some good points Greg. Actually, if one switches from wire rope to synthetic rope it is highly recommended the fairlead gets changed as well, but that's a moot point if buying new. Sun would definitely degrade synthetic rope over time, but wire rope just doesn't seem to last very well either on a permanent mounted winch given the humidity and salt in my area. Quality cable lube helps with corrosion but then there's the mess to deal with, not to mention EVERYTHING clings to it which is a fiasco of its own. I use synthetic rope on my ATV winches and my 12k "portable" that I use on my tilt trailer and anything else with a receiver, but the ATVs are parked inside and the big winch stays in the garage when not in use, so I don't have to worry about the elements long term. I have used all 3 in some nasty situations, deep mud bogs, high grade recoveries (where your arse is puckered tight wondering how well your buddy hooked you and praying nothing gives out ) and IMO they are trail worthy and capable of lasting long term.....IF you are particular about how its used. Wire rope is probably a little more forgiving in this area, but me personally once I kink a cable good enough I'm condemning it anyhow....for the couple of times a year that I REALLY depend on it to get me out of a bad situation its cheap insurance....again it mostly comes down to personal preference and what your most comfortable with.

Another one I just thought of after mentioning the ATVs are the Viper winches. I have never used any of their heavier winches but that is what I've had on the ATVs. The oldest winch I've had since 2006 and it has taken a real beating. Ive ran it so hard I fried the relay on it, replaced it with a better relay from Warn and fried it again a few years later from heavy use. Never had any problems with either winch though, and if the bigger units are anything like the smaller winches I have they would be another good choice if you don't want to shell out a grand or more for a Warn or a Ramsey.

https://motoalliance.com/Site.Store.go?action=gotoProductDetails&id=49

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You might check out my articles in Issues 47, 51.

 

[GHarman]

Mr. Donnelly,
I found the PDF references. Is there a link available for back articles?

Four-wheel driving, off-road recovery, equipment and strategies
Issue 51 (Member2Member) Continuing his review of recovery equipment for off-road use of four-wheel rigs, Joe Donnelly reviews heavier-duty winches and mounts, shackles, chains and straps, wires & cables, snatch blocks, hooks, and anchors. 28–44

 

[GHarman]

Mr. Donnelly,
I found the PDF references. Is there a link available for back articles?

Four-wheel driving, off-road recovery, equipment and strategies
Issue 51 (Member2Member) Continuing his review of recovery equipment for off-road use of four-wheel rigs, Joe Donnelly reviews heavier-duty winches and mounts, shackles, chains and straps, wires & cables, snatch blocks, hooks, and anchors. 28–44

 

[S.Morris]

Synthetic rope makes it easy to handle and pull. Get at least a 8000 or 9000lb winch and of a good brand. I used an XDI 9000 for years with no problems if not overloaded to stall point but saw many cheap knockoffs of same rating fail. Having said that, I have not paid much attention to winches over the last 10years.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

On the left side of the home page or the forum main page, click on digital magazines, then click on the issue you want to view.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Synthetic rope makes it easy to handle and pull. Get at least a 8000 or 9000lb winch and of a good brand. I used an XDI 9000 for years with no problems if not overloaded to stall point but saw many cheap knockoffs of same rating fail. Having said that, I have not paid much attention to winches over the last 10years.

That was my next question HOW BIG should one go? I don't want a MONSTER winch on it but want something that's not going to strain to get the job done.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Fourwheeler had an article on winches here. It's from 2011 but the info is still pretty good.
I had the Warn 9500Ti with the wire rope on a 05 TJ. Never a problem but wish I'd kept it when I sold the jeep. Just picked up a '15 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Time to start accessorizing again

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Somewhere around 7000-8000 lb. would be plenty. One feature I would look for is good line speed. Another is low profile so cooling is not impeded too much.

 

[TFucili]

I would echo the Warn or Ramsey recommendation. Had an 8K Warn on an F-250 that I used to deliver storage buildings, and used it very heavily without any issues. I had a rollback that had a two-speed Ramsey PTO/hydraulic and also worked great. Joe makes an excellent point about a low mount/low profile so it does not impede cooling air.

 

[TJJEEPER]

I would echo the Warn or Ramsey recommendation. Had an 8K Warn on an F-250 that I used to deliver storage buildings, and used it very heavily without any issues. I had a rollback that had a two-speed Ramsey PTO/hydraulic and also worked great. Joe makes an excellent point about a low mount/low profile so it does not impede cooling air.

I never had an issue with cooling on MANY wheeling trips with a pretty standard height winch. Here's the best picture I could come up with. Here on the Swamp Lake Trail in Central California.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I never had an issue with cooling on MANY wheeling trips with a pretty standard height winch. Here's the best picture I could come up with. Here on the Swamp Lake Trail in Central California.

I let my SIL take a look at your Picture she laughed and said, Not with My Jeep!! this is her first new car EVER!! she likes the idea of 4x4 in MT (its snowing pretty hard right now)

We bought a Warn Winch with the bumper for the winch and lights that can installed. The winch is one that can be moved front to back via a receiver hitch. She surprised the guy at the off road store when he asked if she could pick that winch up? as she picked it off the ground she asked why how much does it weigh? We did get the rope not the wire cable and a tree protector and some other accessories.

Its not like she's going to go do any serious 4 wheeling its mainly for getting stuck and need a pull out someplace. She had a 65 Land Rover that had a winch and only used it a few times.

 

[TJJEEPER]

Good choice. The only reason I haven't gone to the removable winch is the overhang. Since I don't do the heavy wheeling I used to do it might not be an issue but...
I built that old jeep until it sucked as a daily driver. In the rocks and on the trail it was great but I'd never drive it 100 miles to get there. The new rig is going to be MILD. I bought the Rubicon so the drivetrain is already ok and I got the optional 4.10 axles. The only issue is how much the pieces and parts have gone up in the last 10 years!!!!

 

[jeepit]

Those JKU's are not cheap.
I have an 06 TJ and still happy with it. My daughter just purchased a 2015 JKU Sport. Rides alot nicer than the TJ!