Winch Question

[OCMEDIC]

I am mildly interested in getting a winch since I am moving to a cold, snowy climate to recover myself or others. My current set up is radflo 2.5's w/ 650lb coils up front. Would that suspension support the added weight of a winch or would I have to get them rebuilt with 700lb coils? Secondly what is the most affordable winch that is not terrible. I don't know anything about them.

 

[Synister]

I think your question about weight over the front end should involve some thought as to which bumper you would go with. Unless you are planning some garage fab hybrid system using the stock bumper (which has been done, search the site), an aftermarket bumper is the primary source of added weight. Your 2.5 suspension setup can and should be able to handle most of the 100+lb bumper offerings from the major players so I would advise holding off on stiffer springs until after you've driven a winched up front bumper rig and determined for yourself whether or not the ride is satisfactory. As far as winches go, name brand (Warn comes to mind) has a rather die hard following, not just among the 4runner faithful. However, the proof is the pudding and the article linked below, biased as it may be in its final award to Warn, answers your "most affordable but not terrible" question. Give Engo a good look I say. Also, you can reduce the weight of a winch system by going with synthetic line.

Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine

 

[ebg18t]

I used an Engo with synthetic line on my last truck. It worked well and was reliable.

 

[HB 4X4]

With a winch and SW bumper you will want the 700lb coils. That much weight up front will make them sloppy.

 

[OCMEDIC]

how many lb winch should i get? Or do I need?

 

[HB 4X4]

If you plan on being in deep snow I would get at least a 9,000lb winch. The 9.5k by Warn is a very popular model, but it is pricey. I had the 8K Warn, but sold it to a buddy because I never used it and never wheel alone anymore. Whichever you choose, make sure you swap the cable line for synthetic. Cable is just plain dangerous, and it will save you a considerable amount of weight as well.

 

[OCMEDIC]

okay so you get the winch with steel and just swap it yourself. i was trying to find ones that came with it but that makes more sense. How do i tell what synthetic line to get?

 

[HB 4X4]

okay so you get the winch with steel and just swap it yourself. i was trying to find ones that came with it but that makes more sense. How do i tell what synthetic line to get?

This is a popular brand:
Viking Winchlines

I used Amsteel:
Winch Line, Rope, ATV winch lines, Recovery ropes, Kinetic recovery rope, Snatch ropes, Amsteel Blue

You can match the diameter/length with the cable that comes with your winch (refer to winch specs). You can also choose between the safety thimble or the standard hook/thimble.

 

[4RBob]

Superwinch makes nice winches. I had one when I had my Jeep and it worked flawlessly. Several other people in the Jeep club had them as well and were happy. I think the quality is at Warn's level, but the name isn't as big so you will save some money. Not as cheap as the bargain winches, but better quality.

Agree with poster above about synthetic line. Much safer and saves a lot of weight! Those are the brands I know and would recommend as well.

You will need to make sure the mount/bumper will accept the winch you decide on.

 

[CXS]

I recommend Warn over other brands myself. They made good stuff as is evidenced by the wide use you see around. I have never had one let me down and having switched to synthetic line this year I'm impressed with how much easier it is to handle while still getting the job done.

 

[Gerdo]

Take a look at the TJM winches. They have a 9.5 with a remote and synthetic line at a great price.

I would think that the 650# coils will be fine for a bumper and winch. They will need to be adjusted up some.

 

[noobshooter]

I'm running 2.5" radflo's w/700 lb springs, and a CBI bumper with tjm stealth 9000# winch (synthetic line). I've only used the winch once, but am happy with it. I think it was a real value for <$700 shipped. My ride is still firm up front and I only lost 0.5 inch of lift adding the additional weight (about 200#).

 

[ebg18t]

Synthetic line will save you ~ 25# and add a level of safety. After using synthetic line I will never buy a regular cable again.

 

[janefennell147]

It worked well and was reliable.

 

[OCMEDIC]

Okay I have so much on my mind having to move in the next week and here is my concern. Do I really need a winch? I honestly don't plan on doing too much back country driving in the winter but I may do some out to hot springs or such out dirt roads with snow on them. Obviously the last thing i want is to be stranded. That said my truck is no slouch, i have a v8 4x4 with duratrac's. I can't figure out if I really need one. I mean I'm not going to ever go driving through any deep stuff alone.

Secondly if I do decide to get one I have to get heavier springs on my coilovers. I currently have radflo 2.5's with 650lb coils in a box at my shop waiting to get put on. My question is if I want to switch it to 700 lb coils to incorporate the added weight can i just take them to radflo and have them swap out the coils or do they have to rebuild the whole thing? Radflo is 10 min away from me so I don't have to go through any shipping but if they have to build a whole new setup I dont know if I have the time to wait.

Lastly if I decide to pull the trigger on this do I need a 9k+ pound winch or would a 8k one be okay? And I have been looking at a lot of winches and was curious if this one would fit the shrockworks bumper?
Engo USA - Model E9000

I have read a lot of reviews and it seems like that one is a great winch for the value.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[CXS]

If you're wheeling alone a winch can save your life if the sh!t hits the fan as in being in the middle of nowhere, no cell coverage and a winter storm's approaching. An 8k and snatch block is more than sufficient if you know how to use them and have something to winch to.

 

[jdkilroy]

Lastly if I decide to pull the trigger on this do I need a 9k+ pound winch or would a 8k one be okay?

...was curious if this one (Engo E9000) fit the shrockworks bumper?

Rule of thumb says go for ~ 1.5 x vehicle weight (with gear) for decent margin of safety when you are considering winch capacity.

I believe that one will fit fine in the Shrockworks bumper but I wouldn't hesitate to give them a call and ask to be sure. They are pretty helpful.

 

[Doozi]

I've read a lot of good things about the Engo winches and have seen them in action a couple of times. Spend the extra money and get the synthetic cable... Engo USA - Model E9000S

Do you already have the Shrockworks bumper? It sounds like you're somewhat conflicted... if you have a winch bumper, it seems only logical to have a winch in it. If you've gone as far as the bumper, you might as well add the winch. If you don't have the bumper yet, it sounds like you might like just using a winch mounted to a portable tray that goes into a receiver hitch. Add a CBI hidden front receiver hitch and you can winch from the front or the back, assuming you have a rear hitch. Toyota 4Runner High clearance front receiver hitch: 4th Gen 4Run, Cbioffroadfab

That way, you can throw the winch in the back when you're headed into remote areas and it's with you if you need it... another great reason to use the much lighter synthetic cable. Just another option for you to consider.

 

[OCMEDIC]

I've read a lot of good things about the Engo winches and have seen them in action a couple of times. Spend the extra money and get the synthetic cable... Engo USA - Model E9000S

Do you already have the Shrockworks bumper? It sounds like you're somewhat conflicted... if you have a winch bumper, it seems only logical to have a winch in it. If you've gone as far as the bumper, you might as well add the winch. If you don't have the bumper yet, it sounds like you might like just using a winch mounted to a portable tray that goes into a receiver hitch. Add a CBI hidden front receiver hitch and you can winch from the front or the back, assuming you have a rear hitch. Toyota 4Runner High clearance front receiver hitch: 4th Gen 4Run, Cbioffroadfab

That way, you can throw the winch in the back when you're headed into remote areas and it's with you if you need it... another great reason to use the much lighter synthetic cable. Just another option for you to consider.

I do, I have a shrockworks bumper in my garage that Im waiting to have put on.

Does anyone know if they can just swap out the 650 coil on coilovers for a 700lb? Or do they have to rebuild the whole thing?

 

[OCMEDIC]

Got my coils swapped and winch ordered. How hard is it to set up a winch? I would have assumed you just bolt it on? The place where Im doing my build wants $150 for that. Is that ridiculous? Seems like a lot just to put a winch on to me.