winch q's

[jeepnut]

Okay guys, I still don't have a winch, but will be buying one soon. Can you please suggest details on what to look for.

How many lbs?

Best brand for the money ( I don't want to go cheap, but I don't have the deepest pockets right now!)

I would like to keep my stock bumper for now, will this be okay?

Anything else I should know and look for?

Thanks a lot guys!

[moneypit]

You can use your stock bumper. All you need to get or make is a winch plate. It bolts between the frame rails in front of the grill. The winch mounts to that. Which winch to get is always a big debate. I am a believer in not buying a low priced import winch. If you need it you want to be assured it's reliable. If it's more for looks and an occasional pull, then a cheaper winch might do. I like Warn. I have the 9.5ti .It's a sealed winch so water has a harder time getting in to the electrical components.I've been very happy with it. But it's more expensive. Ramsey also make a great winch. You will want about a 9500 lb winch. You want the winch to pull about twice the weight of your Jeep. You may want to look at www.winchdepot.com . They are pretty competitive. Good luck in your shopping.

[kb5xg]

I would suggest either a Warn or Ramsey. Both are American made and have excellent reputations. If you do the searches on Rubicon Owners Forum most of the guys there recommend Warn. I live close the Ramsey's plant and I have heard all good things about them. You will need a winch plate with the factory bumper and they sell for about $ 100 bucks. You can get a roller fairlead for $ 50 to $ 100 bucks and the winch should be somewhere around $ 500 to $700 depending on what you pick out. I have a Ramsey 8.5 k winch and I am really happy with it. It is the cheaper one REP 8.5 k. Lots of the guys are buying 9000 or 9500 lb winches. There are lots of folks recommending the Tabor (it is made for Warn) or the Mile Marker. The Mile Marker hydrolics are made in the USA but the electrics are made in China. Still lots of people are very happy with them.

www.samsoffroad.com sells the Ramsey line, the REP 8.5 sells for $ 474 with free shipping.
the REP 9.5 is 547.95 with free shipping. Sams Offroad also sells Warn and you can get the prices there. The Warn M-8000 is like $650 or something,

Lots of people buy a winch plate at Harbor Freight for I think 39 bucks.

I have changed my wire for synthetic rope. It is a lot safer than the steel cable but is still dangerous.

I have rescued a full size k5 blazer which was buried to the axles in Sand, an H1 hummer who was stuck between a rock and another rock, he just couldnt get any traction and when he backed up it lifted his tires off the ground, and several jeeps including a new 4 door unlimited who was high centered. I have also pulled stumps out of the yard, stretched fence, and several other home gardening jobs with mine.

[sylvanis]

It all comes down to personal preference and your pocket book. Everyone that I know will tell you different things. People in my club have Warn, Ramsey, Superwinch, and MileMarker (electric and hydraulic)


My advice...don't get anything under 8000 pounds pull.


Intergrated soloenoids/control box is a preference. just make sure that you can get to the mounting point, or have a wireless remote. after seeing the pics from the 1/12/08 run and the muck, I'd probably go with an intergrated solenoid.

I'd say a good balance for price/power/reliability,

go for the SuperWinch 9000i
www.superwinch.com/EPi9_9_000_lbs.html

IIRC, made in the USA...and they're about $300 less than Warn/Ramsey. I know a trail guide for the Northwoods Jeep Jamboree and he's uses his regularly without problems.

[jeepnut]

Thats about where my research is leading me. Any suggestions on upgrading the battery or altinator? Does this need to be done?

[sylvanis]

brian said:

Thats about where my research is leading me. Any suggestions on upgrading the battery or altinator? Does this need to be done?

depending on how frequently you use it, it may be wise to do so. Everyone I talk to says that eventually you will want to upgrade to a "deep cycle" battery. The general consensus is a optima yellow top or other spiral cell type battery. Eventually, dual battery will be in my LJ...after the overhead rack and OBA...maybe a replacement tire carrier that's rated for towing...

[nwquadriders]

I've been running my stock battery with my winch with no issues. If you're just an occasional user, the winch won't kill your battery. If you are using it all the time (repeated heavy use in a single day) then you should look into a deep cycle battery with more Cold Cranking Amps, like an Optima or Odyssey battery. One thing to do when using your winch is to keep the RPM's up a little bit, and you can see how it affects the electrical system in your Jeep by watching the voltage gauge. So, if I'm pulling someone else out, I'll put it in neutral and just keep the RPM's up around 2K, and all is good.

I really like my Warn XD9000i. It has pulled me through some really tough spots...one pull I had only 5 wraps left around the drum on the winch. You should get at least 8000 pounds. Look at the line speed at full capacity, and how much winch cable they come with. I never thought I'd max out my cable, but I did.

[jeepnut]

In a winch, is it true that the more layers or feet of line is out, that the pounds of pull decreases?

I will go with an integrated solenoid

Does line speed make much difference with heat or danger?

Will a series wound motor be better in the long run than permanent magnet motors?

Thanks again!

ps....my wife just walked past me and the winch list with prices to compare. She started laughing. Is this a bad sign??

[RubiRedLJ]

brian said:

ps....my wife just walked past me and the winch list with prices to compare. She started laughing. Is this a bad sign??

Could be. Good luck in the search.

[kb5xg]

The more line that is out the stronger the pull, The stronger the pull the more the amp draw of the motor. I bought a snatch block which will effectively double the pull of the winch, it also can allow you to change the angle of the pull, (pull around corners, or pull sideways to keep from sliding it down a hill)

If you check the specs on the winches most tell how strong the pull is from the level of line on the drum. 1st layer is always strongest. It also gives you the current draw for the winch.

You will also need a tree saver strap and d-rings, match the strength of the d-rings shackles to the strength of the cable or rope on the winch,

[jeepnut]

This is the one I'm purchasing....in about a month or so. Got the wife's approval........warn out, too much $$.
www.quadratec.com/products/92140_006_07.htm

[kb5xg]

Don't forget you will probably need a winch mounting plate. Not sure on Quadratec pricing, but harbor freight has one which works for bout $ 39 bucks if you watch for it.

[sylvanis]

Like stated above, get a snatch block. This will help signifcantly improve your winch's pulling ability

Never have less than 5 wraps on the drum anytime you pull. Most power is from 5 wraps on the drum to 2 layers. After 2 layers, the mechanical power from a winch starts to decrease.



Interesting article on Superwinch :
www.oramagazine.com/pastIssues/1207-issue/index.asp?article=manufacturer_profile

I remember we used a 2 snatch block set up to have one of our fellow Jeeper's winch his own rear end to the side (cause there weren't enough of us to lift it up and move it 8 inches to the top of a rock.

That was a riot, watching him try and work the winch, clutch and avoid laying his TJ on it's side into a tree.

If you can swing it, pick up a winch accessory kit. you'll get a d ring/ snatch block / tree saver/ solid leather gloves/ and usually a choker chain for rocks too. all packaged up into a nice little bag.

[jeepnut]

Thanks a lot guys for all the useful info. I will be studying the physics behind winches, and with alittle luck, won't need a tow truck. The winch I decided to purchase (above) I believe is submerssible, but does anyone know for sure? Superwinch for the price, from what I read is a great deal. I will check out harbor freight for a mount, there is a store about 20 mins away, otherwise I will get one from quadratec probably. I also checked out the bag of winch nessesities, and will be picking that up as well.

[kb5xg]

you might want to look at the Billavista Recovery Bible on Pirate4x4. More information about winches and winch safty that is really usable. The Warn and Ramsey both comes with booklets that address safety too.