Help Me Pick a Winch!

[4ever4running]

Back in October I ordered a Shrockworks bumper for my 3rd gen T4R and I want to get a winch to go along with the bumper. I don't have the bumper yet, and probably won't have it until late January - early February, but with the holidays coming up I am hoping to have some extra spending money so I can have the winch in time to install with the bumper.

I don't have a lot of experience or knowledge about winches so I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down the list to 4 winches. However, I am open to other recommendations (as long as it fits the following criteria).

My criteria for the winches that I selected are as follows:
1) Use: I have only been in a couple situations where I have needed to be recovered (or needed to help someone). They haven't been terribly difficult or strenuous recoveries, but as I continue to modify my truck and push it harder, I want a winch that will be able get me out of any trouble I get myself into. Ultimately I am looking for something that will be reliable and work when I need it.
2) Price: $600 is my MAXIMUM budget
3) Rating: I would prefer a 9,500-10,000lb over an 8,000lb (better safe than sorry IMO)
4) Rope: I would prefer a winch that comes with a synthetic rope. Two of the winches in my list do not come with a synthetic rope, the Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500 and Warn VR10000. With the cost of the Superwinch, I could easily buy a synthetic rope and still be under my max budget, but if I go with the Warn, I would have to wait a while...

So please help me decide which winch to go with. I would appreciate any knowledge, advice, recommendations, or reviews of the winches I have listed (or any others added based on your recommendation).

Note: If you select "Other" please explain.

 

[963rdgen]

I've heard really good things about the Smittybilt xrc and x20 winches.
If I were in your place I'd go Warn M8000- Their most popular winch.

Will a 9000 or 10000 fit in the Shrockworks?

I went warn XD9000 cause I found a great deal.

I think with your budget you should go with the M8000.

Buy a snatch block and you double your pull power if there's a situation where you aren't pulling with enough power.

Originally I wanted a 12,000 pound winch but after reading about the snatch block decided it was unnecessary.

 

[Royisme]

I figure I'll wind up trying out the Engo down the road for it's price point, but we'll see. If nothing else, here's some reading material. Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine

 

[djtc]

I've heard really good things about the Smittybilt xrc and x20 winches.
If I were in your place I'd go Warn M8000- Their most popular winch.

Will a 9000 or 10000 fit in the Shrockworks?

I went warn XD9000 cause I found a great deal.

I think with your budget you should go with the M8000.

Buy a snatch block and you double your pull power if there's a situation where you aren't pulling with enough power.

Originally I wanted a 12,000 pound winch but after reading about the snatch block decided it was unnecessary.

Even with a snatch block though you're cutting you line's length in half.So I wouldn't primarily rely on a snatch block.There have been many instances were i've needed more then 50ft!

 

[963rdgen]

It's true however easily solved with an ARB 66' winch extension strap!
I plan to get two just incase it ever came to that.

 

[Scotty_h]

Sounds like our bumpers will be built out of the same batch. I ordered a single hoop from S-works back in October and have been given the late January timeline as well.

I found myself in the same situation and sprung for the Ramsey Profile 8000. Ramsey's are on a lot of fleet vehicles in our area. While I have no experience with them, they seem to work as an industry staple. My buddy has a Warn 8000 on his FJ and it has proved strong with great line speed. You can't go wrong with one of those.

I'm sure that you have read, but I did not read in your post, that this bumper requires a "non-integrate solenoid". I would think this should be in your criteria list as some of your 10,000 lb winches may not fit the bill. ...Probably old information, just a headsup.

"The Profile version of the Patriot 8000 has the solenoid assembly seperate so it can be mounted remotely. This style winch is required for the ShrockWorks Toyota 4Runner Winch Bumper & the Toyota Tacoma Winch Bumpers."

Screw Christmas... Come on January!:biggrin2:

 

[KSWAY]

I figure I'll wind up trying out the Engo down the road for it's price point, but we'll see. If nothing else, here's some reading material. Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine

That shoot out :lmao:

 

[4ever4running]

Thanks for everyone who responded to the poll, it has really helped to get the opinion of some more knowledgeable members. I have now narrowed my decisions to the Warn M8000, VR8000/VR10000, Smittybilt X2O 10000 Comp Series, and Engo E10000 S. I am leaning toward the VR8000 or VR10000 because they are within my price range but I am also considering the Smittybilt and Engo because they come with a synthetic rope. I would like to give the Engo a try because they have a lifetime warranty, but I just haven't been able to find out much information about them which makes me a little nervous. Man, I wish that Warn made a winch with a synthetic rope that is within my price range!

Also, I am still trying to decide between the 8000 lbs and 10000lbs. Will 8000lbs be sufficient? Or should I go with a 10000?

 

[963rdgen]

I've heard that the VR series uses some offshore parts, and it's an entry level winch.

The golden rule is supposed to be 1.5 x 2 times your trucks weight. We're roughly 4000 lbs so 8000 should be sufficient. Plus the snatch block as mentioned.

I think it's worth overextending the budget an extra 50$ for the m8000.

Also, I'd use cable until it breaks. That's my plan, and then grab some synthetic line.

James

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I'd recommend the Warn M8000 too. It's US made, been around for a long time, lots of good history and reliability. If you are patient, you can probably get a good deal, maybe after Christmas. Warn often has $50-$100 rebates. I bought mine last fall from Amazon. Paid $549 shipped, plug $50 rebate (and I had $50 in Amazon rewards too - sweet deal - $449 to the door).

http://www.overlandexpo.com/overland-tech-travel/2012/8/2/warn-m8000ultimate-overlanding-winch.html

 

[Pikeman]

The Engo winch is made by the son of the founder/owner of MileMarker winches. It shares a lot of the same design with some minor changes. Milemarker has a great reputation and is on a lot of military vehicles and was the first winch offered on the HMMWV. I know that shortly after that shoot out was written I contacted ENGO and was able to speak with the owner and he was very personable and willing to talk about his product.

 

[963rdgen]

It seems like a lot of them share the same motors/manufacturers.

Same thing happens in hockey sticks, manufacturers in China will do 5+ brands but some sell for $50 some sell for $250. It's all about the marketing/PR.

 

[the great him]

when i was looking for a winch a couple of months back, i new a i wanted a warn, so i called them and asked them what the difference etween the m8000 and the vr8000(i also asked them on their facebook page). basically their is not that much of a difference. they pointed out that the M has a longer duty cycle and can hold up to more abuse and more use. basically if you are going to be using your winch a lot then get the M or XD ect, but if you are really only going to be using the winch like 2 or 3 time a year then the VR will do fine. they both come with a limited lifetime warranty from warn and no the VR is not made over seas and with cheap chinese parts, they are all made here in the US in clackamas oregon. also make sure you can fit a 10,000 winch. i know warn winches 10,000 lbs and over are much bigger and have a different mounting bolt pattern -i know that they will not fit in the tacoma ARB front bumper, they are physically too big.

about synthetic line - yeah its nice and light weight, but that light weight comes at a price, its easily damaged by debris -mud, sticks, rock, chemicals(oil, antifreeze, salt, solvents ect). even having it on the front of a truck inside a bumper, road spary will start eating away at the line (especially in the winter time) and being that its in the bumper it makes it harder to clean and inspect without pulling out the whole line. if you spend a lot of time in the mud you will inevitably drag you line though the mud and that mud will get into your line and start cutting away at it. if you want to wash your synthetic ling dawn dish soap is probably the best soap to use and make sure you let it dry completely, even a wet(with just plane water) line can start to rot and deteriorate.

i run steel, because of the chemicals they use on the roads out here in the winter time(its basically a liquid form of salt), and the fact that 80+% of my wheeling involves mud and when out on the trial you will always find broken glass(from some idiot who rolled their truck in the hard spot where you are smart enough to use your winch) and oil(from either the diffs or motor or trans/tcase or all, from the same reason above) and it would be almost impossible to avoid letting your line drag in the mud and muck. for this reason alone i run old school steel cable on all my winches. i take care of it(so much easier to do imo) and when im done wheeling i spool the whole thing out and nicely/neatly respool when im done or get back home. i make sure to check for kinks and "meat hooks" or frays. cleaning it is as simple as hitting it with the hose and getting any of the mud off of it

as others have said go with the m/vr8000(the m8000 is also a litter faster than the vr and most definitely faster than the other two) you will be happy you did, if you feel you need more length then buy a couple of straps, -a snatch block is very nice, not only for doubling you pulling power but also for pulling ad odd angles or to get around an obstacle, i have used mine in both manors several times and been so happy i had them. without them the pulls would have been either impossible or very difficult and much more tedious.

 

[4ever4running]

First off I just want to say thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and to those who posted.

With that being said, I finally made a decision and just placed my order for an Engo EPF10000S with a synthetic rope. I ordered it from Mudflaps.com and got it for $465 out the door. I know that you guys were pushing for the Warn and I really appreciate the help and feedback but in the end it was just a little out of my price range...

I decided to go with the Engo because it is within my price range, has gotten good reviews, comes with a synthetic rope, and it has the same warranty as Warn (Lifetime warranty for mechanical parts and a 1 year warranty for electrical parts). I will be sure to keep everyone updated as to how the winch performs.

 

[judoant]

How has that Engo held up?

 

[Appntr]

I ran an Engo on my last truggy. It got a workout in Lions Den at Harlan and didnt blink an eye when my talent tank ran dry. Impressive little winch for the money and the synthetic rope did well. As far as I know the new owner is still running the same winch without issue 3 years later. I would run one again in a heartbeat. I'm just waiting to find another XRC8 or something on sale and give the smittybilt a try this time around on the 3rd gen.

 

[MTD]

Thanks for everyone who responded to the poll, it has really helped to get the opinion of some more knowledgeable members. I have now narrowed my decisions to the Warn M8000, VR8000/VR10000, Smittybilt X2O 10000 Comp Series, and Engo E10000 S. I am leaning toward the VR8000 or VR10000 because they are within my price range but I am also considering the Smittybilt and Engo because they come with a synthetic rope. I would like to give the Engo a try because they have a lifetime warranty, but I just haven't been able to find out much information about them which makes me a little nervous. Man, I wish that Warn made a winch with a synthetic rope that is within my price range!

Also, I am still trying to decide between the 8000 lbs and 10000lbs. Will 8000lbs be sufficient? Or should I go with a 10000?

Smittybilt has a lifetime warranty as well if I am not mistaken at least on the drive train according to smittybilt customer service. I have had great luck wit them and their customer service has been top notch. They messed up when I needed a service part and sent me a new motor lol they just told me to keep the motor as a spare and set out my part. Always free of charge of course.

Just my experience.