What Winch is Everyone Running

smallfry

New member
I'm going to start doing some research on this but I'm wondering for the time being as to what winch everyone is running in the 3rd gen world? Any reason behind your particular winch you choose (cost, reliable, weight rating, etc.).
 
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Warn/mile marker/Ramsey/super winch/t-max/Smitty built..
Any 9k should do the trick just depends how deep your pockets go.
 
I have a smittybilt XRC8 Comp and I really like it! The synthetic rope is a huge plus and helps to cut down my weight. I had an Issue early on with it not staying in gear which turned out to be my fault, but the customer service people were extremely helpful and I ended up with a free spare gearbox and a spare motor both new! So yes they treat their customers right too! i was also informed there is a lifetime warranty on the mechanical components which is cool! All from a winch I paid 350 for! Make sure you goober up the holes in the soliniod if you go with this winch though so that won't go bad.

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500
 
my vote is for the Rugged Ridge. either the 8500, or the 10500. I cant say enough good things about them, or the company itself.

awesome winch, cant beat it for the price.
 
I have a mile marker. Still works great and have had it on the front and never removed for over 10 years and takes a beating!
 
I thought you had a smittybilt lol I must have not read your build very close lol

I don't think I ever mentioned it in my build, I wasn't conscious of what it was until a few weeks ago when I cleaned off the winch control box haha. My dad installed it when he bought the 4Runner way back when so I never really cared what it was as long as it worked.
 
I have a mile marker. Still works great and have had it on the front and never removed for over 10 years and takes a beating!

is that a series wound, or permanent magnet motor?
I got a MM winch when they first came out. it was a permanent magnet motor...and holy shit was it SLOW!. it never stopped pulling, but yikes, it was SLOOOOOW.

my 8500 RR is very quick.


to the OP, whatever you choose, make sure it has a series wound motor. I don't know if anyone is even still selling the permanent magnet motors, but you don't want one of those...
 
is that a series wound, or permanent magnet motor?
I got a MM winch when they first came out. it was a permanent magnet motor...and holy shit was it SLOW!. it never stopped pulling, but yikes, it was SLOOOOOW.

Probably permanent magnet then; it's exactly like you're saying, she pulls and pulls but is slow as tits!
 
Maybe Warn just slaps their badge on it.
"As a behind the scenes private label manufacturer for the U.S. market for many years..."

It's I Taiwanese company that is distributed out of Wilsonville Oregon. I'm just a huge fan of the SEAL series. I guess at one point they built one series of winches for Superwinch.
Automotive Winch / Self-Recovery Winch

That said I'm feeling guilty because Warn Ind has awesome customer service.
 
I dont know if its available in the US but a lot of guys I know here in Ontario run Runva winches. They are made in china but hold up pretty good. I haven't heard anybody having issues. Warn is double the price as far as I know and I wouldn't pay extra $600 for the name and because its pretty. Might be made in Taiwan or China for all I know. Winch and Warn badge assembled together in the USA.
 
Engo 10k checking in. I haven't used it yet so I can't give a review, but I went with it after I read a shootout where it beat a Warn winch 3x the price.
 
Used and abused on my Engo 10S, Its slow and loud but it pulls and pulls. I got an incredible deal on it, otherwise i probably would have got the TJM Stealth 10k. It looks like a nice winch at a nice price with a lot of new features that i would like to have.
 
warn xd9000 on mine. haven't used it yet on the runner but i did on my '88 toyota pickup. i guess it works good but i have no real world experience with other winches to compare it to.
 
Question: My understanding is when you get a winch you should get one that rated for 1.5x's the vehicle weight it that weight based off of the GVWR or the curb weight?

Looking at a Warn M8000 and I'm wondering if it's sufficient for my 4runner (front and rear bumpers, front, center and gas tank skid, sliders, slightly larger tires) not including any gear.
 
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