Hi guys!

I'm installing a SmittyBilt Bumper this morning and it has a winch plate.
I've slightly researched a bit not too long ago, but wanted to get some of your opinions.

1. I believe 9000 will be sufficient for most situations that I'd (un)likely get into. Would this be correct?

2. I heard both good and bad things about Bad Land Winches at Harbor Freight. I'd put some links below. Comments are welcome.

12000
http://www.harborfreight.com/12000-l...ner-61256.html

9000
http://www.harborfreight.com/9000-lb-off-road-vehicle-winch-with-automatic-load-holding-brake-61325.html

I'm not stuck on these however, I notice one has auto tensioner?
Is Synthetic Cable Highly Recommended (if so why)?
Water Resistant seems to be a possible concern?
I'm sure many of you have factored in all of these variables.
Cost is important, but of course over value and functionality.
What important features am I not factoring in.
What load/model, etc. would you guys recommend?
Many thanks!!!

 

One question for you.....would you bet your life on this winch or even more so someone else's?

You get what you pay for, except for maybe Warn where you pay $200-500 more for the name, and yes I have owned several in my life.

Quality is not just a "Perception"!

 

Don't buy Harbor Freight winches. I've seen a few of them, but never seen one that worked.
I personally have a Smittybilt XRC-8 on my XJ. Its definitely big enough winch for the XJ, and most importantly, it works every time, without fail.
As for synthetic vs steel cable, its really up to you. Do some research on the pros and cons of both, they both have their drawbacks. With that said, I'm still on steel cable, simply because I've kept my cable in good shape and it doesn't need to be replaced yet. But I plan on going to synthetic rope when this cable breaks.

 

I doubt that. They are a damn good deal actually. Ive seen a dude with a 12k drag his broken jk up the side of a mountain with one

 

All my winches in the past 30 plus years have been Warn brand winches, I've never had one fail me and some I've had for over 15 years. So I guess my cost per times used is dirt cheap. The main thing is sometimes paying more is turns out to actually be cheaper in the long run.

Why would someone buy a 30,000 dollar Jeep and then buy the cheapest winch possible.

 

All I know is a buddy of mine bought one that wasn't right out of the box. Got another one, it worked a couple times, motor burned up on the second pull. Another guy I wheel with sometimes had one that also died after a couple uses. They are both using Warns now, and haven't had any problems. That was enough for me to avoid the HF winches.

 

Because they spent all there money on the Jeep.

 

I suppose there are some people stupid enough to trust their 30,000 dollar jeep and their lives to the cheapest winch sold in the US, but the good news is they are also probably to dumb to reproduce.

 

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...phibious-Winch