By nadim on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 06:59 am: Edit

Hey there,

I am currently thinking of gettign either the RE or the Warn 12,000, so I need some more Info on the warn (through Kyle's RE-mkting, I got the necessary info on the RE!...)...
Any help will be much appreciated:

1. Those of you that have it, are you happy with it?..does it sound like it is gonna blow?...any problems?
2. How is the bolting pattern, and how may bolts hold it in place?...i know that it uses the usual 10"x4.5", but are there any additional bolts on the front?...does the fairlead bolt on to it?
3. Did its size and weight negatively affect the Disco in any way?...suspension?... brakeing?...weight transfer?

Any additional info is much appreciated as well...Thanks in advance for your help...

Nadim

By Bill Bettridge (Billb) on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 07:14 am: Edit

Nadim,
I've gotta be honest - I can't testify to it's "on trail" habits yet since its still new for me, but as far as mounting goes -it is the usual 4 bolts and yes, the fairlead bolts to the two lower front holes. It is a heavy bastard, but you can reduce a bunch of front end weight if you like using "yarn" instead of wire rope. I've got it mounted in an ARB and with the RTE 2" springs, it hasn't dropped much and I didn't really notice any significant handling change, other that more of a tendency to nosedive in very hard braking (but that is to be expected)

By Ron on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 07:16 am: Edit

It has to mount "feet forward"

Ron

By nadim on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 07:20 am: Edit

Thanks Bill...

Ron...it mounts verticaly like the 8274!...not horizontally like the others?...

Thanks again you guys...

Nadim

By Ron on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 07:25 am: Edit

Yes, like the 8274, feet forward.

Ron

look at warn.com to see how it mounts

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 08:40 am: Edit

What I have noticed most about those things the is differences between them. I have been out with a few of them getting used in the same situations. All were new winches and some sounded like they were going to explode and others did not.That aint saying much for the quality control.

Kyle

By nadim on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 09:25 am: Edit

Kyle...
The thing I like about the RE is that it is strong, easily maintained, low amp draw, and slow for concentrated and controlled use...BUT, what I do not like is that it requires custom mounting, and that will hinder its practicality if I want to eventually put it on my series, or future defender...
Now that I know that the M12,000 has a "feet forward" design, I am not too happy either...I do not want to get a 9,500 planetary, my friend got the HS, and that sounded like a non-lubricated washing mashine!
I am REALLY inclined now for the RE10 or RE12, depends what the dealer has in stock in Lebanon...I will be manufacturing a custom bumper for the Disco, but I am not too happy that it will not simply bolt on to the conventional 10"x4.5"...
I know I am probably sounding like an ass...but 1,000$ is a big investment, so I am doing all the research I can before spilling the beans...
Thanks again for your current and additional input...
Nadim

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 09:46 am: Edit

Indded , you should , I like the M12 but I didnt like the fact that I see differences in performance among winches the same age.


Kyle

By nadim on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 10:10 am: Edit

Kyle...
Just to clarify...
The RE has 8 bolts...4 front and 4 rear...right?...and the M has only 4 front...isn't that too little?
Moreover...are the RE's electrics better water tight that the solinoid box the M has???
I am not trying to valorize the RE, but I am ceating arguments to see what is the best thing for me...I really really need reliability!...the winch is the "security of last resort in the wild", so do not intend it on failing on me at ALL!

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 - 11:34 am: Edit

The RE has 4 front and 4 rear. I Typically use the four rear for a back brace and use the four front to mount it to the bumper. Since the winch is of a very rigid design I feel this is fine .
There are 8 mounting holes in it though and you can make the mount however you like to hit those eight mounting points.
The big difference is that the M12 is not of a rigid design. It does not have a solid back bone that keeps it running true. Adequate mounting points are much more important on that then they are on the RE. if the mount moves at all the winch will start to bind.
I would say you have a tie with the solonoids. The RE solonoids arent specially sealed in any way and they can be relocated just as on any other winch. All the sealing is the gear case. And its completely sealed.

Kyle

By Moe on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 05:58 am: Edit

Nadim, my preference would be the RE but I think you will be happy with either. Regarding the extra weight: I feel it is an advantage having the extra weight in the front (I know you have two batteries already). On the road, the weight keeps the nose down a bit and steering should be a bit firmer--especially with your next spring upgrade. Off-road, the extra weight is especially good cresting hills, helping to bring the front wheels down quicker to pick up traction. I really don't see or have any problems with the extra weight--I also have that sleek and light ARB bumper in the front. Best of luck making a choice.

BTW. I saw a J**P use his RE8000 on the trail on Sunday This thing had been abused, looked like it had been stored in a swamp--totally covered in shit. Started right up, but we all ran away b/c the wire he was using was very dodgy. I also saw an RE8000 on a series rig on Saturday. It was sitting very sweetly between the rails--perfect size.

By nadim on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 07:16 am: Edit

Moe...
that is where I am leaning these days...
99% will go for the RE12 or 10
Thx!

By Ali on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 07:25 am: Edit

Nadim,

Kyle does bring up a good point regarding the need for a "true" orientation of the winch on a mounting surface. I saw a case where a Milemarker wasn't mounted to an ARB square enough. His drum didn't want to turn until he installed couple of shims properly. Usually, the ARB bumper is flat enough for the Warn and its bolt pattern.

The four bolt pattern is quite adequate for our type of abuse. Since the winch sits behind a wall, it can pull all day long w/o straining the bolts. The purpose of the bolts is to prevent the winch from falling off the bumper! Technically, you can use only two bolts for argument's sake. Of course if the bumper starts to bend and come off of your rig, well that's another story. Even if the ARB bumper is not as stout as someone else's bumper, it can handle the winch w/o issues. Also, two of the mounting bolts are used to secure the Roller Fairlead to the front of the bumper. I think these are the top two bolts. The bumper comes with space to mount the vertical rollers. I mounted my fairlead in this fashion.

Concerning the sounds a Warn makes while loaded, it doesn't sound healthy to me. I have owned two Warns and they both sounded the same (I have the M10,00 right now). Especially mounting in a cavernous area like the ARB bumper, the sounds tend to get a bit amplified IMHO.

Keep in mind that the ARB bumper is designed around the M10,000 AND M12,000 Warn. Installing it is really a breeze w/o any modifications or spacers.

By nadim on Wednesday, August 01, 2001 - 07:38 am: Edit

I will be creating my custom bumper...so the winch is the gem here...we'll see...thanks for the insight though...much appreciated!