Overwhelmed by winch choices

Goosedog

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Location
Pisgah Forest, NC
There are so many out there. The things I care about are: size (8000lb), price ($300-400 range) and NOT made in China. But still there are so many and I don't know what features to look for. I'm kinda new at any off-roading serious enough to need a winch. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Good luck getting an American made winch that cheap. That said I have an Engo 10000 winch with synthetic line and got it for a tad over 400 once used it once but it worked well and isuch quieter than a smitty built
 
Judging from some winch tests I've seen I'd go with an Engo if I didn't get a Warn. The VR series Warn winches are very affordable and come in an 8000, 10,000, and 12,000 pound rating. At any rate, I have an 8274-50 that's much older than I am and has never missed a beat even though it might get used once a year, if that.
 
I personally have not had any experience with the engo but have heard good things about them. The VR series warns are a good entry level winch that will stand up very well. Also the ironman monster winches are very good they have a 9500 lb winch priced in the 450-550 range and come with a cordless remote. Not trying to promote a sale but if you want to put your hands on a winch and see it first hand we have the VR series here now aswell as the ironman winches.
 
ditch the winch and get a lock rite or a spartan locker for what ever you drive. i think you will be MORE overwhelmed with what a locker can do on your rig than one of those wire spooley thingies :cool:
 
price ($300-400 range) and NOT made in China
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:lol:


i think you will be MORE overwhelmed with what a locker can do on your rig than one of those wire spooley thingies
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the winch is to get you out of places the locker gets ya... chicken or the egg...

That being said only winch I have ever had was a Warn, never failed me.
 
I have a XRC10... It is awesome. I use it more for others than myself, regardless, its a cheap investment in security, I have never been the guy who leaves someone stranded, but its alot easier to stick around with a winch then back in the day where Id have to jerry rig straps and all. I also have a rear locker. Next upgrade will be a front locker, then Im done with my current rig. Winch and locker are both great, get em both. Winch first.
 
The Warn VR series were being assembled in the US with foreign sourced parts. Don't know if this is still the case or if they have moved that entire line off shore.
 
I have an XRC8 because it fit in the small hole. It works well but not as fast or smooth as a Warn for sure. I'd buy it again
 
your only option to fit all your requirments is a used warn.

the XRC is ok, but its not made in the us.
 
How come some winches have the black boxes on the top?
aimg.photobucket.com_albums_v419_Goosedog_engo_9000LB_zoom.jpg


And others don't?
aimg.photobucket.com_albums_v419_Goosedog_30100_lg.jpg
 
it has a box it is just not shown in the picture. many of the control boxes can be mounted away from the winch to give more room.
 
K45 said:
it has a box it is just not shown in the picture. many of the control boxes can be mounted away from the winch to give more room.
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Or.... if is an I-series Warn winch, It will have the integrated(I=integrated solenoid in Warn part numbers) solenoid pack integrated into the housig like this..the black box you are asking about is the solenoid pack.
 
And besides the aforementioned qualification of China Vs. USA, what you will/can pay for is speed. Look at the HP of the motor + gear reduction. It is cheaper to produce a small HP electric motor and gear it to piss to acheive 8,000 lb. pulling lbs...it is MUCH more expensive to use a higher HP electric motor and use less gear reduction to achive the same pull. Slow winches can be frustrating.
 
Gotta go with a Warn then....plain and simple! Jeep is partly responsible for the name Warn being as big as it is! After the war, guys could get their hands on Jeeps for their own use and wanted to be able to disconnect the front ends, so they started making lockout hubs. About ten years after they got started, they began making winches, no doubt for those same guys with the Jeeps they were putting lockout hubs on!

Again, I'm just partial to Warn, but that's a good and informational reason right? :D
 
250krawler said:
Those old Willys scream for an M-8274 IMO The height of the winch works good with the height of the grille and hood.
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Thats exactly what I was about to say. Nothing looks more correct on an old jeep than a Warn 8274.
 
Yeah but after seeing the price I think I can do without the nostalgic look.
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Try and find a used one, From my understanding there incredibly easy and cheap to overhaul. I know I've seen a few on here for a couple hundred.

The three your considering though are all good winches IMO The only thing I don't like about the Ramsey's is the remote controls seem cheap to me.


Good lookin willys btw.
 
you can find a used 8274 for 3-400 frequently if you keep your eyes open.
 
Goosedog said:
Yeah but after seeing the price I think I can do without the nostalgic look.
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Like the other guys said, look into a used 8274, no doubt. They vary pretty wildly in price, but I picked up a used one off of eBay for $250 a few years ago. After a little rehab it was good to go, and BY FAR the best winch I have ever had. A few years later I got an offer I couldn't refuse on a Warn M15000 so I replaced the 8274, and every time I use it I miss the 8274's amazing line speed. It won't be new, and it will probably turn into a minor project, but anybody who has ever had one will tell you that it is the way to go.
 
I may have found a good used Warn M8274 and have a question. I can't find proof it is an 8274 other than it looks like one and these numbers are on it.

Anyone make sense of this?
Part No.: SE2067001
Serial No.: 93805

Also it is claimed to be a '72 model and they are asking $500, is it worth that?


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