Winch choices?
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mrvandelay
New member
I looked for 1.5x the gross weight and made in the USA.
Synthetic Rope is, in my opinion, superior to steel wire. It's safer and lighter.
I like my Warn M8000-S.
The Warn VR line is cheaper and similar but made in China I believe.
Synthetic Rope is, in my opinion, superior to steel wire. It's safer and lighter.
I like my Warn M8000-S.
The Warn VR line is cheaper and similar but made in China I believe.
G8RB8_12SR5
New member
I have been doing some research on this and looking to run the same Budbuilt plate. I agree with mrvandelay on the M8000-S is probably the best option for this application. Not sure if added weight is a concern, but if you were to go with the Smittybilt XRC X20 Comp 8 series winch (an 8000lbs winch also with synthetic line) you'd be looking at approximately 88lbs, whereas the M8000-S is approximately 55lbs. Something worth considering since you're not going with a full front bumper.
mrvandelay
New member
Also expect to go to Medium Duty coils or crank your adjustable coilovers to compensate for the added weight
gadgetguy1288
New member
I'm planning on a toytec ultimate lift at the same time, would those coils work or do I need heavier?
mrvandelay
New member
Those will work. You may have to preload the spring more to accommodate the weight added by the winch and plate.
Mick1
New member
I went with the Warn VR 10,000-S and got the wireless remote control.
However, I switched the line warn synthetic line out for master pull synthetic line with a safety thimble.
I have a lot of pictures of the Warn and Budbuilt plate at this link. http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures
The pictures should help your installation a great deal since BB supplies NO instructions, or even a hint at how it is supposed to be installed. Or even what winches are compatible....:bash:
However, I switched the line warn synthetic line out for master pull synthetic line with a safety thimble.
I have a lot of pictures of the Warn and Budbuilt plate at this link. http://rhino4runnersuspension.shutterfly.com/pictures
The pictures should help your installation a great deal since BB supplies NO instructions, or even a hint at how it is supposed to be installed. Or even what winches are compatible....:bash:
mrvandelay
New member
RE: VR Series vs M Series
From some other threads around the internets:
Per Warn, the main differences between the current M8000 and the VR8000 are:
They use a different motor.
They utilize a different gear-train configuration.
They have different hand-held remotes.
The VR8000 uses solenoids in the control pack and the current M8000 uses a contactor.
So I've read countless threads over this and I'm sure this has been posted but I wanted to share with the jeep community anyways. My buddy here in town has finally seen fit to buy a winch, that of course means a new bumper. Since many of us are not made of money price and quality was certainly a consideration. He decided on warn and really there's no better proven brand. So it came down to the vr series or the M8000 like I have. We called warn to see what they said and it was very insightful.
We talked to two reps on different days and they each said that the vr series is designed solely to compete with the other brands lower cost options. It was a business decision to start offering a product in that space. Some people told us the M series was going away. Warn confirmed that is def not the case. The difference between the vr and m is pretty simple. The M8000 can be used continuously where as the vr series can not. So let's say your out on the trail and have either many short pulls or a few long pulls that need to be done. The M8000 is able to be used without delay where as the vr needs to take breaks to let the winch motor cool to avoid any sort of overheating. Both will work and both have the backing of warn's support and warranty but the M8000 according to warn is the better choice. So in short if you want the best bang for your buck, the M8000 is your winner. If saving a few bucks and having a better possibility of not being able to save yourself or fellow jeeper on the trail is more important, go with the vr.
From some other threads around the internets:
Per Warn, the main differences between the current M8000 and the VR8000 are:
They use a different motor.
They utilize a different gear-train configuration.
They have different hand-held remotes.
The VR8000 uses solenoids in the control pack and the current M8000 uses a contactor.
So I've read countless threads over this and I'm sure this has been posted but I wanted to share with the jeep community anyways. My buddy here in town has finally seen fit to buy a winch, that of course means a new bumper. Since many of us are not made of money price and quality was certainly a consideration. He decided on warn and really there's no better proven brand. So it came down to the vr series or the M8000 like I have. We called warn to see what they said and it was very insightful.
We talked to two reps on different days and they each said that the vr series is designed solely to compete with the other brands lower cost options. It was a business decision to start offering a product in that space. Some people told us the M series was going away. Warn confirmed that is def not the case. The difference between the vr and m is pretty simple. The M8000 can be used continuously where as the vr series can not. So let's say your out on the trail and have either many short pulls or a few long pulls that need to be done. The M8000 is able to be used without delay where as the vr needs to take breaks to let the winch motor cool to avoid any sort of overheating. Both will work and both have the backing of warn's support and warranty but the M8000 according to warn is the better choice. So in short if you want the best bang for your buck, the M8000 is your winner. If saving a few bucks and having a better possibility of not being able to save yourself or fellow jeeper on the trail is more important, go with the vr.
joneseyyy
New member
I use the Warn VR1000-s with a factor 55 thimble. I obviously made a trade-off on my winch. It gets used a handful of times a year, and I can live with a little slower line speed and letting it cool after a long hard pull considering the price differential vs. something top of the line. It is still a Warn; not concerned about reliability.
adio3x
New member
Its not a huge deal to me, just takes a little bit longer depending on the situation. A couple of my buddies ran into the same issue the same day, so i'm guessing its pretty normal. Nah I didn't get a warranty with it, but I did get it for like $200 lol.
Mick1
New member
calcrc I don't think any of us will be able to tell you if that winch fits. Without a link to the specs on it we have no information. You'll have to compare the specs on the winch you are looking at to the ones that are known to fit. Warn 8000 and VR, and the Smitybuilt. Other than that there is no way of knowing. BB certainly does not provide a list of compatible winches. My old superwinch did not fit, by 1/2":toilet:
limamike
New member
I bought the Engo 90000S based on the following review from Four Wheeler:
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
EDIT: You'll note in the reviews, that the Engo is a ~$400 winch (mine was closer to 500 due to the synthetic line), and the only winches that beat it in the testing were $1k+.
Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
EDIT: You'll note in the reviews, that the Engo is a ~$400 winch (mine was closer to 500 due to the synthetic line), and the only winches that beat it in the testing were $1k+.
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Bill Z
New member
Mick1
New member
I don't recall exactly how much the Superwinch would not fit by. It was between 1/2" to one inch probably. It was the hard aircon line that prevented it going in. The superwinch was 23.35" long. Compared to 20.8" for the Warn VR.
Specs for the superwinch here: Superwinch, LLC - EPi9 - 9,000 lbs/12V
Specs for the Warn here: Warn Industries - Jeep, Truck & SUV Winches: VR10000-s
The Champion is an inch longer than the Warn at 21.9" so it may or may not fit.
I made my decision to buy the Warn knowing the superwinch did not fit and seeing pictures of at least one smitty built had fit (although it was on a different plate than I had) and one VR series had fit, but with no details on how it fit.
I probably wouldn't risk buying the off brand winch only to find it does not fit.
Specs for the superwinch here: Superwinch, LLC - EPi9 - 9,000 lbs/12V
Specs for the Warn here: Warn Industries - Jeep, Truck & SUV Winches: VR10000-s
The Champion is an inch longer than the Warn at 21.9" so it may or may not fit.
I made my decision to buy the Warn knowing the superwinch did not fit and seeing pictures of at least one smitty built had fit (although it was on a different plate than I had) and one VR series had fit, but with no details on how it fit.
I probably wouldn't risk buying the off brand winch only to find it does not fit.
shawn719
New member
Got me looking and researching. Engo is likely it for me. Reviews are good and Great prices on the E-10000's right now and it's dimensions fit right in the Bud winch plate.
Thanks for the heads up on the Engo's Mike.
S
bernardmwrangle
Member
I would suggest taking a closer look at that 4 Wheeler review and the comments, the criteria and scoring were a little dodgy. I have used Warn since my Grandfather had one on the front of his '65 Willies truck. Besides that, I understand that money doesn't come easy these days but for me I just bought a $40k Trail edition with some if the best off road technology available, why would I put a cut-rate winch on the front? Finally, one towing bill out of Baja or way back in Tahoe National Forest will make up the difference in money saved on a cheap winch!
