So now that I have me a new bumper with a winch mount, I'm shopping for my first winch. I've been doing some research and I've determined several things.

1. I can't afford a new WARN winch. Too pricy.

2. I don't know enough to buy a used WARN winch. I will probably buy a dud and spend the same amount of $$$ fixing it!

3. My target goal is CHEAP & Reliable.

4. Going with steel cable vs Synthetic. I don't expect much use and I don't want the AZ sun to eat up the synthetic cable.
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I rationed out to two MFGs. Smittybilt and Ramsey. Both offer a Limited lifetime warranty on the mechanicals and a 1 year on the electrical. This is the best warranty I can find. So, I've narrowed it down to four item.

Smittybilt XRC-10 $400 (10,000LB, 3 Stage planetary gear system with a 218:1 gear ratio)
Smittybilt XRC-8 $300 (8,000LB, Planetary Gear System with 172.8:1 gear ratio)
Ramesy Rep 9.5e $490 (9,500LB, 3-stage planetary gear system)
Ramsey Rep 8.5e $400 (8,500LB, 3 Stage planetary gear system)

I'm leaning towards the Smittybilt because they offer a 5.5HP engine, where Ramsey is a 4.5HP engine.

More than likely, this purchase will be made at Quadratec. They'll pricematch, match free shipping, and I won't have to pay sales tax.

So the question is: Which would you get for a 4-door JK Jeep with a GVW of less than 6000LBS?

I'm running this one: Smittybilt XRC-8 $300 (8,000LB, Planetary Gear System with 172.8:1 gear ratio)

Works like a champ, easy to install, dependable, and in my budget. I've had it 4 years. Tickled to death.

Man, I'm torn! After all the reviews I've read, I'm leaning more towards the Ramsey Rep 8.5e. I haven't found ANY negative feedback on them. Smittybilt has had some. Ramsey's are made in the USA, where the Smittybilt are China imports.

Still, $100 savings on an item I may use once a year is tempting. Plus, that $100 savings, I could put towards a synthetic line replacement, if I so desire.

However, if I finally need it and the winch fails I will be pissed I didn't spend the extra $100!

Alanzona, How often do you use yours?

I did find this deal. An XRC-8 with synthetic line and aluminum fairlead for $450!

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-and-Winch-Accessories/Smittybilt-XRC-8-Winch-W-Synthetic-Rope-Aluminum-Fairlead.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=300&t_pt=100702&t_pl=6426&t_pn=S%2fB98281

I use mine 5 or 6 times a year... usually for other folks and digging Sc00by's brother out of the mud. LOL

Well, I was all set to buy the XRC-8 for $300 delivered. Then, I found a guy in Gilbert (Warner/Val Vista) that has a fairly NIB Smittybilt XRC-10. I'm offering him $325 for it. I know it's a $400 winch, but figuring it's a 48mile drive to get to him, and the wasted time/gas/effort... it's worth a $75 discount. I figure it's a fair deal. Let's see if he bites.

Good deal! Hope it works out.

Hey i got a winch from desert rat. its 8000 and does fine. payed cash got a little more idsount on it. I think its a bull dog winch. also try cosco. its the same as mile maker.

Missed opportunity. Costco had this CPE 10K winch with snatch block, universal mounting plate, fairlead, and battery disconnect for $299. They closed them out for $199. They sold the last one in ALL of their stores 2 weeks ago. :(

A new twist....

I found a guy that has an older Warn 9000i for sale and he's asking $350 obo. I can't tell by the photo but I'm pretty sure it's not the current XD9000i that sells for around $1000. In any case, the unit looks pretty well used. Even the fairlead looks pretty scratched up. Also, the pic doesn't show a remote unit, so I have an email to him confirming it comes with one. Is it worth the risk? Are parts readily available? As cheap as this is, I may toss the steel cable and replace it with synthetic, then replace the steel rollers on the fairlead and get the daystar synthetic rollers.

Hard to tell from the pic. Does look goodishly used. Need more info.
What was your other option price?

even if its not working I know they are rebuildable, but im not 100% sure on what model that one is

Issue resolved. The Warn was already sold. I did find a good deal on the Smittybilt XRC-8, though. While google searching, I found a posting on WrangerForum.com and the vendor offered it at $289 delivered + a free winch cover. Picked it up from TruckAddons.com. Their web site shows a higher price, but if you call it in and mentioned you saw the $289 deal online and they will honor it. They also had the XRC-10 for $360 delivered. Nice price, but you have to call in to get the deal. I contemplated it for a moment, but even they said that it was an overkill for my Jeep. It should be here in 4 days.

FWIW - I've had the SB 10k winch for about 2 years. Used it a dozen times or so - a few on recoveries, a few more to pull folks on trails. Once to free myself.

I've had absolutely no problems with it - well, ok - just one, when I mounted it backwards on the bumper, but that's not likely to happen unless you're me...

All in all, I'm real happy with the SB.

That's good. The more encouraging reports I hear, the better I feel! LOL

Ok, so my new Smittybilt XRC-8 winch is due to arrive today. If I can get my feeble, sick little butt out of bed, I may attempt to install it. I've seen articles where people have disassembled their winches and added (or replaced) the gear grease before installing. Is this necessary? If so, what kind of grease would you recommend? Should I replace the existing grease with the new one?

If I don't have the winch cover on, should I risk taking my Jeep through an automatic car wash? Is that "too much" water being splashed on the electrical connectors?

Ooo I dunno many in the group that can go through the auto washes anymore. Lights, antennas, and sometimes they'll turn you down just because of the larger tires on their equipment.

2ndchance wrote:If I don't have the winch cover on, should I risk taking my Jeep through an automatic car wash? Is that "too much" water being splashed on the electrical connectors?

I took my XJ through the carwash all the time (took off the roof rack and CB antenna or course), with no problems whatsoever. It's all protected fine. I'm using the XRC8.

Very cool.