Also, when you get a new winch, spool all the cable out and attach it to something. Then put your rig in N and have your winch pull the rig and wind the cable back on. Preferably on a smooth surface and slightly uphill to get the cable nice and tight on the drum. Take this opportunity to be certain the end of the cable is clamped tightly to the drum. Mine wasn't.

 

I've never used a winch before. How do you make sure the cable wraps evenly across and doesn't start to overlap and criss-cross when it shouldn't?

 

I wouldn't even take a moment to consider 8000 pounds.

Winches can be life or death scenarios and if you end up putting too much stress on an 8000 pound winch, you have a steel cable coming at you when it snaps.

Things like this, go big or go home. You know what I mean?

 

Sorry, this makes no sense! An 8000 lb winch and a 9500 lb winch both have 5/16ths inch diameter cable on them from the factory, so if the cable on the 8000 lb winch would break from the recovery so would the one from the 9500 lb winch.
I've been wheeling for over 35 years and know what I'm talking about, if you want a heavier duty winch no problem, but it isn't needed.

 

Synthetic winch line. FTW.

 

The cables can always be upgraded, the winches cannot. You can have a weak winch with a tough cable, or a tough winch with a tough cable – you choose. Honestly, I would have picked the 12k winch as I mentioned in earlier posts, but since he's mentioning light duty, I mentioned the 9k winch.

I am a high-end shopper and I'm never going to settle for something that's "just good enough."

 

First, a good 8000 lb winch isn't weak! Maybe the highest rated winch of all time is an 8000 lb winch, the 8274 Warn. As for your statement that cables can be upgraded but winches can not that just isn't true. I've upgraded winches on half a dozen rigs, that started out with cheap POS winches, but I've never needed to go over the 2 to 1 weight ratio.
If you want a heavier duty winch no problem buy one, no one is stopping you, but the OP asked about a couple of ATV/UTV winches and an 8000 lb winch, and the 8000 lb winch has enough pulling power for a Cherokee.

 

I am a high-end shopper sometimes but for something I'd use so little I just can't justify it. Also since I'm gonna do the whole receiver mount method I won't even get to look cool with a big fancy winch on my front bumper lol. I agree with the comment about the cable grade being the main factor in a flying-cable-of-death situation. If the 8000lb winch failed it would just poop out in the motor or gears. You all have at least succeeded in talking me out of anything less than 8k so let's just agree on that

Anyone have any input about the rear hitch weight rating? Anyone winch from the rear regularly on a typical rear hitch?

 

Thanks for paying attention to my wants/needs! I would be happy with 8000, besides, a ****** block theoretically doubles that right?

 

Maybe in a straight line on a hard surface. Not buried in gunk. Even my buddy's 9000 pound winch couldn't get his Jeep out of a mud pit when he was buried to the axles. The thing just didn't have the power in it.

If you want/need an 8000 pound winch, go for it bud. I'm only attempting to look out for every Jeeper's safety. Not trying to dictate any winch laws on anybody here.

Everyone's heard my input in this thread, so I'll back off now.