what winch

I just went with a smittybuilt, I contemplated all the ones you mentioned plus the Warn VR series. I had a thread on here about opions of the engo, look it up, good and bad experiences with them.
 
I hate to admit it, but harbor freight winch is slow but never let my friend down, and much cheaper.
 
I'm a fan of SuperWinch. They have all metal gears and priced really good. I have an 8500# on my TJ that has recovered several rigs, myself a time or two and has been under some serious loads I thought for sure was gonna kill it. It just keeps going. If it dies tomorrow I could not complain. No tellin what the person before me put it thru.
 
I have never had an issue with my XR10 Smitty. The remote plug is cheap and I wired up in cab controls. If you aren't racing and would like to spend money somewhere else its a good way to go.
 
Ive seen two of the three and imho they are all about the same. I think maybe the Quadratec one has a slightly better warranty Idk. My harbor freight is very slow but gets the job done, even though I think its the cheapest built of all. Having said all that when my HF finally lets go I'll be buying a Warn.
 
I run an Engo and like it.
 
ML_70440_4_copy_C2012.jpg

I like this one!!
 
Used Warn. 8274 if you can find one for under $500.
 
im pro warn myself, then again i dont like to walk, or call for help haha

scared to death!!!!!
 
no problems out my smittybuilt 8k here only wish i had synthetic rope
 
****WARNING****** Old ass thread resurrection

But I've been searching for quite some time and hoped to get some updated opinions from a few who may have posted in here and OTHER old posts.

Is Engo even an option any more? I mean, no feedback from anyone after like 2013, and even on their site it's like 2011 up in there:
engo.jpg


What about those of you who went Smittybuilt? Were you ever let down? Stranded? Left in a "lone survivor" situation where it failed you? Wait...I guess if you WERE you couldn't respond....OK, let me rephrase that, those who went Smittybuilt, did you get sick of the "slow speed" and upgrade? Did it ever fail?

I.E.

Model, Speed (ft/min)
8274, 73.4
HS9500, 62
M8,000, 42
XD9000, 38
XRC8, 37.2
REP8,000, 36
M12,000, 30
LP8,500, 18
PEC8,000, 13
HF8,000, 13

LP = Superwinch model
PEC = Milemarker
HF = Harbor Freight on that last one.


drkelly said:
I've been rescued by about four different Smittybuilt XRC8 winches on other peoples rigs, lol. I finally bought one myself about a month or so ago.

Opinions on Smittybilt XRC 8 Winch

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=590833&highlight=xrc8
Click to expand...

@drkelly do you still have one? You seemed to have done a lot of homework before your decision, but didn't see if you ever swapped out to a warn or anything after.


Not looking to compete. Not even hoping to have to USE it, but I always like being prepared for the unexpected (boyscout/engineer hard wiring) and I rarely take chances, and while I'd LOVE to have a Warn 8274, $1800 goes a long way for other items, JUST to be the "cool kid"
 
I have the Smittybilt X20 12,000 lb Gen2 Comp Series Winch with the synthetic winch line and wireless remote. I have been using it for almost a year now and it hasn't let me down yet. Here is a link to it with all its specs and what not.
X2O 12K GEN2 Comp Series Wireless Winch
 
If you want to spend any kind of good amount of money, I suggest to buy American if all possible for future parts and maintenance for China's market changes hands and restructures so much that nothing interchanges from one year to the next and everything older than 2-3 years at most of shelf life gets dis-continued. Unless you just buy something at disposable / recycle price and have a spare.

But then again, Warn parts turn into gold from the factory after they get discontinued. But at least all their parts can still be had.

Or just buy anything to get you by and pick a good friend with a Warn to wheel behind.:beer:
 
6BangBronk said:
If you want to spend any kind of good amount of money, I suggest to buy American if all possible for future parts and maintenance for China's market changes hands and restructures so much that nothing interchanges from one year to the next and everything older than 2-3 years at most of shelf life gets dis-continued. Unless you just buy something at disposable / recycle price and have a spare.
Click to expand...

I've been a mechanical engineer for 20 yrs, Specifying HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, pumps, equipment, controls, VSD's. I deal with "Buy American" and "Buy America" (those in the know, realize the drastic difference) daily so I'm somewhat aware of the parts/discontinued ratio. At +/-$500 I DO truly consider it to be a single purchase that will NOT likely be repairable or Frankensteined back to life should there be an issue. Yes, if it were an 8274 there WOULD be parts available to do so, but at that investment ratio the diminishing returns would be the factor in resurrecting the unit.

However, my HOPES would be that those with experience can shed light on the disposability factor
 
Last edited:
I had a SB 8k. It was a great winch for the money, but it had a permanent magnet motor. The first time I had to do a lot of pulling the motor failed. It heated up and the magnets came loose. SB wouldn't warranty the motor. I think now they are all series wound motors which are much better. So whatever you decide on, make sure it does not have a permanent magnet motor.

Also I think SB and Super Winch use the same frame, gears, and drum assembly
 
Nothing yet.... My junk is in the garage slowly getting built. Had a guy offer me 100 bucks for it when he came to buy some other parts. I sold it to him... I wasn't going to spend 200 for a new motor. I may go w another one SB when I'm ready. I liked the winch, just not the motor. I'd like to find me an 8274, maybe one will turn up at a price I like....
 
I have the SB xrc8 with syn. Line I moved the relay to under the hood because I read those getting wet was a problem. The free spool knob came lose and out about a month after I bought it, I just put a grade 8 bolt in it!! I think I payed like $500 and for the money it has worked pretty good. It doesn't like to hold with a very heavy load on it, but it's on a toyota so it doesn't really get used! Lol its fine in a pinch but would not count on it.... next one will be a Warn....
 
Back
Top