Needing a winch

[BillM]

Hey guys. I got a BIG question here. I nearly destroyed my Jeep on Sat. trying to go down a steep ace hill. If I had a winch I could have let myself down slowly with no worries. Now, here is my question. I need to decide on a winch. I have looked at and used on another Jeep the Warn 9.5Ti. Loved it. Line speed was awesome, but could be a problem in some instances. I know some of you guys have winches and I wanted your opinions, good or bad, on them. I also found a Ramsey Rockcrawler edition with synthetic line for $1100 on Quadratec (sure I can find it cheaper), I think it was a 9500 lb one also. So give up all you know about winches please.

[Tomster]

Bill:

I have experience with only one winch. I have only been into Jeepin' for four years, and into wheelin' for the last three.

When it was time to buy a winch, I did some research, and it sounded like the Warn 9.5Ti would be a winch that would do a good job and would be with me for years to come. I wanted to spend the money to get a winch that would last, rather than skimp, only to end up having to buy another one in a couple years.

Also, looks count in my book, and that Warn 9.5Ti is "purty." It just looks so natural on the front of a Wrangler, almost like it was made specifically for the Wrangler.

I am well pleased with my 9.5Ti. I am very glad that I bought that puppy.

Tom

[BillM]

Thank you Tom for your comments. I agree it looks so slick.

[Don]

Bill, I don't know Jack about winches. However, it seems to me that everytime I go wheel-n one of those synthetic lines snap. They aren't cheap. They are suppose to be safer than the cable, if once they snap, you are stuck without a winch for rest of the wheel-n trip.... how safe is that. MikeA has been using a synthetic line, maybe he will share his thoughts on this subject.

[Paul E]

I've been researching too. Two names keep popping in my head: Warn and T-Max. Yes, T-Max. I've reviewed their specs for performance and how they are put together. Cheap winches use bushings instead of bearings. Both Warn and T-Max use bearings. Looking at the capacity and line speeds, both are very comparable. The T-Max has a 6.6 HP series wound motor instead of the inferior magnetic setup. Warn is series-wound too, but their HP rating is a bit lower (under 6 HP).

To me the higher HP and construction of the T-Max is REALLY making me take a good hard look at this Australian-built unit. They do have an integrated version available, but the non-integrated models are less expensive.

www.4x4plor.com (http://www.4x4plor.com) has a writeup on his winch and has used it for some interesting pulls out in the desert. All the feedback I've gotten on the T-Max units is favorable. When it comes time to get mine, unless I can find a steal on a 9000+ winch from Warn, I'll be going with a T-Max. T-Max comes with 3/8" steel cable vs the Warn's 5/16". If you are going synthetic that probably doesn't matter a whole lot to you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom will tell you to only get a Warn. And they are excellent winches! Their name is proven and they have a limited lifetime warranty. I hear their support is great. If you wheel alone, a Warn is the only way to go IMO.

I'm just not into paying the kinds of prices if I can avoid it (this from a guy who bought an OME lift /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif). If I could talk the wife into a 9.5ti, I would probably get it. I could probably talk her into synthetic if I illustrate the dangers with steel cable. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

All that and a RoadGear.com in-cab winch control. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Suzjeep]

Oh.....never mind...I misread it and thought it said "wench"! LOL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[BillM]

was you gonna volunteer???? J/K

[Dave Taylor]

I bought my MileMarker 9000 lb Electric Winch from e-winches.com for $449 flat...free shipping and no tax; delivered to me door.

I have done alot of winching with it and with Tom, Mikea, and others over the last couple of years; and it has never over-heated; never drained my battery; and never failed to get me or someone who has needed it unstuck. (Including Thelma Jane of a couple of occassions)

It is about half-as slow as the Warn winch; but winching shouldn't be a fast sporting event.

At least for me; it was well worth the savings. For the $700 extra it would have cost to bought a similarly rated Warn winch; I bought a front locker; had it installed; and did a 1" body lift and hand-throttle.

Lot's of options out there. Good luck on your choice. T-Maxes aren't out on the trails alot yet; but they are starting to market them quite a bit in the 4x4 mags.

[pirate_over50]

Bill....Go with the synthetic line. Redneck Concepts has one that is reasonable as does Masterpull. ( which is what I use ) Believe me, I have done alot of winching ( mostly others /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and so far after about 3 years, the line has not failed me. Mikea thought he had a problem with his mount plate that for some reason was catching on the line, and thus the reason it broke. Mine has not failed me yet and I for one will never have another steel cable. Mikeb

[mikea]

[ QUOTE ]
Bill, I don't know Jack about winches. However, it seems to me that everytime I go wheel-n one of those synthetic lines snap. They aren't cheap. They are suppose to be safer than the cable, if once they snap, you are stuck without a winch for rest of the wheel-n trip.... how safe is that. MikeA has been using a synthetic line, maybe he will share his thoughts on this subject.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah I like the synthetic lines and yeah i've snapped 2 of them. The last one i snapped was an AMSTEEL Blue brand and it wasn't too expensive (under $200) and I will replace it with the same thing. When it snapped it just fell to the ground with no violent snapback. Now the first one I snapped I was not using an aluminum hawse fairlead but a roller which really is a no-no and that is what caused it to snap (rubbing on the winch bracket cutout). The second time I was pulling a jeep hung on a stump, again my fault as it was my responsibility to thoroughly check out the stuck rig befor hooking up. Don't know if you've ever seen a steel cable snap but i'd rather have 20 synthetic lines snap then 1 steel cable. People die and things get dammaged.

[Don]

When I was at Haspin Acreas with Indyxj, a lady in a Land Rover snapped a synthetic line. Like I said, I don't know Jack about winches, but it just seems like these synthetic lines have a short life span for something that cost $200.00 to $500.00.

[BillM]

Cool. Ramsey has a special edition winch out that is the Patriot 9500 lb Rock Crawler edition. Comes with synthetic line already on it. It runs about $1000-1100 on Quadratec. I think I can find it cheaper. I can get the Warn 9.5 Ti for $868 to my door from www.WinchDepot.com (http://www.WinchDepot.com) , and it runs about the same price on Quadratec as the Ramsey does.

[Tomster]

BillM:

Man, you oughta jump all over that Warn 9.5Ti for $868 delivered!!! That's a SUPER price.

Tom

[Paul E]

Yeah, I'm seeing that 868 too and thinking maybe T-max may be a decent winch, but for 868... that 9.5ti is getting into my pricing range. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[BillM]

That is what they sell it for all the time. And they always have free shipping. They usually have some free thing with em too. First time I looked they were giving away a winch kit, snatch block, tree strap, gloves, and chain in a canvas bag. I think now they have a receiver shackle. Only problem is they only sell the Warn's and Mile Markers. Wish they sold Ramsey's too.

[Tomster]

Free winch kit and still selling for $868 delivered??? Why in the world didn't you take advantage of that deal, Bill?

The Warn winch accessory kit sells for about $150. Is that what you would have gotten for FREE???

Tom

[BillM]

I am not sure it was Warn brand. Only reason I didn't go for it then was a friend was getting rid of his Jeep and was going to sell me hiswas going to get winch, plate, and front Pre-runner bumper for $800. Waiting around on him cost me that deal. I was waiting on him to take it off so I could go get it and he traded it with the Jeep. Talk about pissed.

[alwaysoutdoors]

Nothing is free. www.4wd.com (http://www.4wd.com) is selling the Warn 8000 w/hawse fairlead for $499.95 plus shipping (about 45 bucks). Didn't take me long to order one after Teddy brought it to my attention.

[BillM]

What is everyone's opinion on 8000, 9000, and 9500 lb winch's????

[BillM]

Ok so I am about to actually buy a winch. Wife is beating me up about not getting it done. Does anyone have a winch plate they might be looking to part with? Really don't want to spend $80 or more for one.

[Don]

Your Wife wants you to spend more money on your Jeep? I wouldn't say that on this list.... your Wife might collect a few suitors /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[BillM]

LOL...She told me today that she wants me to have it before I go back to some place like Windrock so that she will now that I can get out of anything that I may get stuck in even if I am by myself.

[Teddy]

Bill

Kind of off topic, but i'm curious what gears you are running. I had a bad experience at Turkey Bay with a steep hill. I was running 3.07s at the time and I had not aired the tires down. It was pretty scary /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/woot.gif

I have the Warn 9.5 ti. I like it, but it's expensive. Good luck on your purchase.

[Fred]

Speaking of off topic, your jeep has come a LONG way since I last wheeled with you! Congrats
[ QUOTE ]
Bill

Kind of off topic, but i'm curious what gears you are running. I had a bad experience at Turkey Bay with a steep hill. I was running 3.07s at the time and I had not aired the tires down. It was pretty scary /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/woot.gif

I have the Warn 9.5 ti. I like it, but it's expensive. Good luck on your purchase.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Don]

Teddy: What happened on that hill? I am still running 3:07's and it appears that I will be doing so for a while longer. 3:07's suck......but I make up for it by running in 4lo most of the time.

[Teddy]

[ QUOTE ]
Teddy: What happened on that hill? I am still running 3:07's and it appears that I will be doing so for a while longer. 3:07's suck......but I make up for it by running in 4lo most of the time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don
I was in 4 lo, I don't remember the hill, as I'm not that familar with TB (Fred was there, so he could probably tell you)but my Jeep launched down that hill. It scared me and the wife to death. It scared me most because my kids were with me. I couldn't do anything to stop it, brakes didn't work, so I just tried to let the gears do the work, but they weren't low enough. It was fine when we got to the bottom, but not having any control or the ability to gain any, prompted me to seek lower gears. Maybe it was my inexperience, but I don't want to do it again.

Fred,

Thanks, I've been working diligently. I've noticed you have as well. Just Empty Every Pocket, they say! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JeepTales]

I was saved by a 9.5Ti this weekend at Palo Duro.

I think that winch "ROCKS".

As Ferris Bueller said,"If you have the means I recommend you pick one up for yourself."

I saw a lot of people taking their equity out of their winches this weekend at Jamboree.

[DavidC]

One thing to be careful of is power spraying your 9.5ti.

If you look in the manual it tells you to avoid this as it will leak and you will have problems.

Otherwise, it is a good winch.

[Neal]

she's a keeper! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/woot.gif

[BillM]

Priced the new Tmax 9000lb for $450 shipped to my door. This is the new versions of these winch's.

As for my gears Teddy. I have the 3.07's (for a short time longer) and I am glad I never went down that hill. Going up is one thing. Coming down is another.

[alwaysoutdoors]

Dude, you can get a WARN for 499.95!

Yeah, Teddy's Jeep has gotten some great mods since we went to TB.

[Paul E]

bill, where did you find that price, e-winches?

[BillM]

nope it is from a vendor on Pirate

[BillM]

Where can I get a Warn 9000lb for 499.95??????

[alwaysoutdoors]

I bought a Warn M8000 from 4wd.com for 499.95 w/hawse fairlead and steel cable. Mounting plate is extra as with all winches.

[BillM]

Hey Paul do you want that guys name with the TMax winches?

[Paul E]

yeah, if you would PM me with it, that'd be great. Does he have multiple models? I am thinking I have talked with him before, but I can't remember his name.

[BillM]

Yes he has ALL the TMax winches. There was even a guy in that thread from Tmax answering questions. I will find the thread and send it too ya.

[alwaysoutdoors]

doesn't appear you're interested in it and that's good cause the price is back up to 640.

[alwaysoutdoors]

Actually I just got the early summer 4wd catalog and the Warn M8000 is at $599.95. When looking for a good deal, I found one company that shipped Warn's for free and they weren't overpriced to compensate. I forgot who it is, but with a little searching you can find them. I believe I would go Warn or Ramsey, just my opinion. You get what you pay for.

[Paul E]

www.winchdepot.com. (http://www.winchdepot.com.)

[alwaysoutdoors]

that's not the one I was thinking of. Did you buy a winch yet?

[BillM]

Nope not yet. I am such a pain in the *** when it comes to deciding. Try to spend the least money so that I can do the most things. But I will not by junk. I do believe in you get what ya pay for. I think it will end up being the Warn 9000 or 9.5 though. Just don't know anyone who has used the Tmax.