I have a '01 XJ and am thinking of getting a winch. Nothing too crazy but something I can use to pull me out of the many snow storms we get here and maybe help other people get out. I was thinking of getting a 4500lb one but am not sure if that is what I should get or how to go about installing one of these.

 

I would go with an 8000lb winch,4500 is pretty light.
The mounting instructions will come with the winch.

 

well a 4500 winch if set up properly with a ****** block, 2 tug points it can pull 9000. but id rather have the ability to pull more.

 

smitybilt 8000lb winch is like $300. Thats the way i'm wanting to go as soon as I buy a bumper

 

i got the smittybilt xrc 10 which is 10,000 lbs. it only cost 399. well worth it. i know its overkill especially since i carry a ****** block but its great to know i can pull myself or anyone else out of anything. a 4500 lb winch would pretty much be a waste of money. those are good to put on a trailer

 

I was reading that your winch should be rated at 1.5 times the weight of the truck (this case Jeep). So for a Cherekoo that would be around 5000lb. So could you not use a 3000lb winch with a block for a doulbe line pull (that would give you 6000lb pull cap.).

I know that it would really work the winch but would it work?

 

.

 

a cherokee dont weigh no 5000lbs and just spend the little extra for the bigger winches cause usually bigger winches have better components on them and its better to be safe then sorry...plus the lesser weight on it will put a lot less stress on the winch

 

i have the smittybuilt xrc8, its a good winch.

 

I know a XJ don't weigh 5000lbs, they are around 3200 or so. So 3200 x 1.5=4800 (give or take afew lbs).

I know if i got a 6000 or 8000lb winch it would be alot better.



The only reson I was asking is you can get a 3000lb winch for less then $100 and they are small. It is a cheap winch and won't last forever but if for some reson I'm out by myself and get hung up it would be nice to have.

 

I have a 4500 lb winch mounted to a 2" reciever on the front of my jeep, with a ****** block it pulls me out of anywhere I've been stuck. I've only had it for a couple of weeks now but its done me good. it pulled out a BURIED in snow explorer sport track and a chevy pickup in the last snowstorm (12" plus wet heavy snow in my area)