What winch do you run?

[Roving Beetle]

I also have an 8274 - had it for years.

I'm trying to decide which truck to graft it onto - the RRC or the hybrid coiler series project. They are by far the best winch ever - if you have the space.

Thinking the RRC as it will see a lot more trail and travel. The series is a toy for around the island and summer fun. May not even need a winch really.

 

[cupgt]

Anyone have any experience with the Ironman winches?

 

[jafir]

Interesting, the diameter on the Synthetic one is .15" larger.

** I called Warn and dude said the drum is bigger to withstand the force of the Synthetic line. He said putting synthetic on the steel version "isn't recommended".
I dis notice that the drum on the Zeon 8000 is the same between synthetic and wire models, though larger at 3.15".

But but the specs on the page for the non synthetic model says 100' of steel or synthetic line. They should change that.

 

[fishEH]

But but the specs on the page for the non synthetic model says 100' of steel or synthetic line. They should change that.

That's a very good point.

I heard the Ironman are slow as shit.

Any word on the Viking winch?

 

[TOM R]

A cheap winch works great until it doesn't .

This can be said for any winch, any winch can fail even pto driven ones:ack:

 

[cupgt]

This can be said for any winch, any winch can fail even pto driven ones:ack:

Very true. I know several people that have had Warns fail. A good buddies Warn is off and on again due to failing solenoids.

 

[fishEH]

Very true. I know several people that have had Warns fail. A good buddies Warn is off and on again due to failing solenoids.

And he hasn't upgraded to a single contactor? For shame!!

 

[DiscoPhoto]

I know of huge amounts of Warn issues back in the day, not sure about it now adays, but seems to have gotten much better.

 

[jymmiejamz]

This can be said for any winch, any winch can fail even pto driven ones:ack:

That's true, but a nice Warn or Superwinch is a lot less likely to fail than a Harbor Freight winch in my opinion.

 

[TOM R]

Well the other hf 12 k I have sits on a trailer in the weather for like 10 years and I have dragged all kinds of dead vehicles onto the trailer including my backhoe, it is slow but never stops and I have never used a pull just straight line pull so...

 

[jymmiejamz]

Well the other hf 12 k I have sits on a trailer in the weather for like 10 years and I have dragged all kinds of dead vehicles onto the trailer including my backhoe, it is slow but never stops and I have never used a pull just straight line pull so...

I guess I wasted my money on the Superwinch then Let me guess, your Optima battery is great too?

 

[TOM R]

I guess I wasted my money on the Superwinch then Let me guess, your Optima battery is great too?

No, just saying you don't need to break the bank for a decent winch, had a duralast gold in there cause it came with it now I use a interstate megatron2 cause it was $20, I shop around :victory:

 

[roverguy10]

I run the Warn M12000 winch. Works great, always have a couple extra Solenoids with me; they are what fail at inopportune times in my experience. The only major downside is that the stock alternator does not provide the required current to get the winch to full pulling power. I don't currently have a 24v system so I don't know what it's like in that configuration.

 

[fishEH]

Here's what I went with.
-Viking GS-9 winch. From everything I've read and after seeing it I'm convinced this is a rebadged Superwinch EP9.0. http://www.vikingoffroad.com/viking-winch-gs-9/

-Rokmen Big Hawse Fairlead. Been wanting this for a long while. It's very well made and the bend radius is nice and large. http://www.rokmen.com/all-products-1/recovery/fairleads/rokmen-big-hawse-aluminum-fairlead.html

-ASR Offroad winch line. 3/8"x80' with tube thimble. This is arriving today. http://www.asroffroad.com/products.php?cat=2

I got a VERY good deal on the winch from Viking on Ebay. I was also able to turn around and sell the new Viking fairlead that came with the winch. The winch comes with a nice controller and the Superwinch S3 sealed contactor.
All said and done I'm in for about $780 for a brand new winch, line, and sweet fairlead.

*EDIT The ASR line is going back. Line looks fine but it has the wrong thimble on it. That along with a couple false ship by date promises and terrible communication and I decided a refund was my best move. They were nice on the phone when I called today and even offered to let me use the rope this weekend while I waited for the correct one to arrive. If the customer service would have been that good from the onset they could have kept my business.

 

[KngTgr]

Any new good whinches? how is the superwinch holding up?

 

[Buddy]

Any new good whinches? how is the superwinch holding up?

I’ve run the SmittyBuit Gen 2 X2O on my last couple of trucks. It?s worked well with no issues.

 

[fishEH]

Any new good whinches? how is the superwinch holding up?

Its funny to look at a "new" thread only to find out you were the one that started it 4 years ago!

The Viking GS-9(Superwinch EP-9) has been awesome. On my old truck I got in a bad place on a trail called Carnage at a local offroad park. Deep ravine/washout trail going uphill in the mud. No way to get turned around so had to winch the last 4-500ft. The winch performed flawlessly, even as the roof dug into the bank and the rear quarter glass blew out. My battery wasn't happy when I was done but the winch was fine.

The 94 I acquired not too long ago came with a MileMarker 8000(or something) winch. It was in bad shape. Needed a good cleaning/rebuild, new steel cable, new fairlead, and new solenoids/contactor. My Viking winch wouldn't fit the stupid ARB without cutting. With all the cash needed to make the MileMarker whole again I just grabbed a Harbor Freight 12,000lb winch for less that $300. Haven't had to use it though.

All that said there are a lot of new winches on the market. Warn and Superwinch pretty much have a completely new line up from four years ago.

 

[squirt]

I?ve run the SmittyBuit Gen 2 X2O on my last couple of trucks. It?s worked well with no issues.

Same here. People can hate all they want, but it's been a great setup for me with the included synthetic line, wireless control, etc.

 

[best4x4]

I had an original XRC8 and although extremely slow with a poor quality finish/rusty bolts it did work. I haven't tried them lately, but it did work. I've had several Warn Winches the XD9000, and two M-8000 winches. They had a much better line speed, and finish, but they also cost a lot more. Be aware of the Warn VR series as it's made in China from what I've been told. I also had a Harbor Freight 9000LB winch and it's finish was better than the XRC8. It worked and I never had any complaints.

I think most winches out today will perform fine. Just depends on the space you have, and the features you want.

 

[K-rover]

The Superwinch TigerShark is a great entry level winch. The speed is slow, but thats what you get with a lower priced winch. Ive used mine several times over the last few years and have never had an issue.

That said. Superwinch is coming out with a new redesigned Tigershark.. Just heard that last night from someone who works closely with Superwinch.