Best Winch for 4th Gen

[BlackWorksInc]

Oddly enough my Google-fu has failed me. :confused1

I am looking for like a magazine review for 2012 or 2013 of winches.

You know that stuff a lot of places do, "Top 10 winches!" and they do a comparison test and all that jazz. Trying to figure what I want to get and I remember last year some new companies with potential came out and I wanna get to know my options.

This is mildly 4th gen specific as I need it to obviously fit inside of my SW bumper.

 

[ebg18t]

If $$ is a concern at all I would look at the Engo with synthetic line. I ran one on my LandRover with excellent results. My bumper on their had tight clearances so it fit well. You can relocate the control box under the hood.

When and if Bud from BudBilt ever gets back to me about the hidden winch mount I will be buying another Engo.

 

[gaterose]

...I am looking for like a magazine review for 2012 or 2013 of winches.

You know that stuff a lot of places do, "Top 10 winches!" and they do a comparison test and all that jazz...

I subscribe to most of the off road mags and the most recent one I can remember was from 2011 - Massive Multi-Winch Shootout

If you want the best just get a nice Warn or a Superwinch. That 'shootout' is mostly comparing cheap winches.

 

[JDMcQ]

Is this the article for which you are looking?

I still think Engo got screwed in this test.

Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine

 

[superman3043]

Just in my research, depending on what you're looking for, I'd recommend:

for a solid name and the premium price that goes with them - Warn or TJM

middle of the road - Engo

economy - Superwinch or Smittybilt

I went economy because of budgetary reasons, as we all do, since I was purchasing a bumper, lights and a winch at the same time. I've not been disappointed with my little Smitty. Cheap and does everything I want it to do. If I was winching all the time, I may have a need for one of the big brands, but honesty it sits on the front of the truck, waiting most of time, so as far as return on investment goes... I feel great about the purchase.

Hope that helps.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Thanks guys I think I read that shootout article before.

I remember hearing about a company called Viking or something that was fairly new but pretty decent quality.

I'll probably go with a Warn in the end, but I still wanted to check out my options.

 

[wadle5]

Yeah I myself am looking at the Engo. In looking at the history of the company and who is running it. How their winch was one of only 2 to survive the stall test and still function afterwords. I wouldn't say its a middle of the road winch. It is up there with Warn, it's just Warn has a longer enduring reputation. I myself am looking into the Engo 9000S in the upcoming year. As everyone else already posted the article its from and from reading other reviews and about the product it seems like a solid buy! Let us know what you decide on.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Yeah the stall test really impressed me on the Engo and that was 2 years ago. I am sure they've made improvements, hence why I wanted to see a more recent line-up.

 

[aha2988]

I went with the TJM as it seemed to be the best value to me anyway. Wireless controller, 9000lbs, comes with the synthetic line and fair lead. all packaged for a little over 650.00 on ebay and 679.99MSRP. I liked the Idea of getting the warn winch but when I looked it didn't come with the synthetic lead, as well as it had the roller fair lead (not sure if that's optional). We will see how it holds up I suppose.
[MENTION=68704]superman3043[/MENTION] my buddy norman just purchased a winch just like yours. He's been through 3 solenoids since he purchased it. Yesterday it just melted the electrical box and nearly caught his truck on fire. Not sure if he bought a lemon or what but kinda sketched me out.

edit: scratch that last note he has a smittybuilt anyway here is his "review"

Norman:"Ok , so had an interesting day .... Those of you that know me , know i have had bad luck with my winch ...... Well today it decided to self destruct and bout caught my truck on fire ...... Lucky Brantt happened to notice the solenoid box melting and i could put it out before it got to the rest of the truck ...... Save up and get a WARN Winch ... Do not go with SmittyBuilt ....5 solenoid's in 4 months and this last one bout took out the truck ... The winch was pulling power w/o being turned on ...."

 

[superman3043]

Mine's a Smitty. I've read people not having great luck with them as well. On the flip side, I've also heard of people having a good experience like me. I guess it's chinese QC. You either get a good one or you don't. I'm happy with it

 

[aha2988]

Mine's a Smitty. I've read people not having great luck with them as well. On the flip side, I've also heard of people having a good experience like me. I guess it's chinese QC. You either get a good one or you don't. I'm happy with it

from what I've gathered the first thing to indicate the issue is the solenoids start to go out. Then it can turn into a fire hazard. I'd say your probably in the clear at this point lol

"Norman Murray: Seems as it is a new problem .. I saw a few other posts about it , It starts with solenoides going out repeatedly (turns out its a winch issue not the solenoides ) Then the winch surges for some reason and fries it .. Not really sure why i have only found 4 posts about it . But only 1 other meltdown ..."

 

[gaterose]

for a solid name and the premium price that goes with them - Warn or TJM

middle of the road - Engo

economy - Superwinch or Smittybilt

I dunno if I'd say Superwinch is on the same level as Smittybilt. They have some cheap winches, but so does warn (VR series). Supwerwinch has been around for a long time along with Ramsey and Warn. I also wouldn't compare TJM to Warn. Sure they have a rich history of making some off road products but they've just recently delved into several of the new product categories, including winches.

Smittybilt, TJM, and Engo are all pretty new to the game. My understanding is that Engo is an imported and relabeled winch like all the other guys that are relatively new to the game (and under $5-600).

And it seems like all 'cheap new winches' are performing about the same if you read enough reviews. It's only after several years and a lot of pulling that we'll see which ones are actually reliable. But then again I burned up a Warn M8000 motor after only 6-7 pulls in under a year and they're the king.

edit- Actually in 2002 when I bought that M8000 I was told that it was a cheap Chinese Warn and not comparable to the XD series and such.

 

[chitown40]

Best value for your buck, unless you are going to buy a Warn is the Badlands from Harbor Freight. $399 for a 12k winch which can be had for even less on sale or with a a HF 20% off coupon. So it's like $329.

Badlands are the same winch as the TJM, T-Max, Smittybilt, Engo, etc. They're all made in China with the same materials.

If the winch is installed correctly and cared for properly, they will all last the same amount of time. keep it out of the elements/salt. Use the right size wiring and switches/fuses/breakers when installing, and care for the steel winch line or synthetic rope.

Offroad Winch - 12,000 lb. Offroad Winch w/ Automatic Brake

Engo USA - Model E12000

 

[SAR_Runner]

For what it is worth, I ran an 8k smittybilt on my TJ for 4 years with heavy use, it got upgraded with a 10k planetary and a 14,500lb cable, both upgrades were free from other wheelers... I never had an issue and even got a replacement remote to make an in cab controller.

I would definitely go for a synthetic line on any bumper that is on the market for the T4R, the steel line requires too much babysitting and needs to be out in the open to avoid binding and overwindings... if you dont spool the winch properly you can have a hell of a time getting the winch unstuck much less the 4runner...

 

[gaterose]

Best value for your buck, unless you are going to buy a Warn is the Badlands from Harbor Freight. $399 for a 12k winch which can be had for even less on sale or with a a HF 20% off coupon. So it's like $329.

They have a coupon good from now until 6/30 for $299

 

[NorthernRyan]

I bought the tjm 9000. Someone mentioned it's tjms first foray into winches which I believe isn't true. Tjm had its ox series of winches for quite a long time. My experience anyways is limited as I've only had to use it once. However that day I probably pulled my truck 12 or so full reels of the winch. Used a jeep with 42s a 5.7 liter Chevy engine and one ton axles to act as a moving anchor to winch me and my buddy through probably half a kilometer of where we shouldn't have been. Winch got hot but never complained even when we got impatient and my buddy was winching off me as I winched off the anchor jeep. We'll see how she does this summer.