I just bought rugged ridge 8500 with synthetic for 450. Lot of local guys run them.

 

An 8k winch is just about perfect for an XJ. Heck with a ****** block you double your capacity to 16000 pounds.

Come on guys...shop smart.

I agree that a winch is outstanding upgrade that will pay for it self the first time you need it, but use your noggins.

Adding weight to the front of your rig is going to affect handling, braking, economy, performance, cooling. Why not minimize the impact and still have an outstanding tool that isn't "The BFH That Isn't Needed."

Best of luck, hope it works out for you.

 

Because I felt the same way as BrickBrizzle. Smittybilt didn't offer a 9 and I felt an 8 wasn't enough after adding more weight like Bumpers and armor and all sorts. Besides the Smittybilt 10,000LB X2O winch doesn't weight a whole lot more then the 8,000LB anyway. So I really didn't Loose anything by going with the Smittybilt 10,000LB which is the one I ended up going with anyway.

Thanks for your concern though. I believe I was still a smart shopper.

 

10,000 lb is a good choice. Think about how much weight in mud you could be pulling sometimes. Plus if your like me, I use mine to get out other people that are stuck. And usually stuck bad. When I get another winch I think it will be a 12k. I have an 8 and a 10 now, but would like the extra juice. My buddy has a 15k warn on his Tj, it can drag two idiots with fully loaded rigs at a time through the trail(two idiots came with us to wellsville with stock Tj rubicons) it was funny, the whole way to the trails they were c.b. ing us saying how much their stock jeeps can do, then we drug them through90% of the trail. Good day to have a good winch!

 

Hey thanks man. Ya I love my new Smittybilt 10,000LB winch. I've already used it a few times just to get familiar with it. And it works flawlessly.

 

Is your smitty the waterproof one?

 

Mine isnt.. I keep it covered and it stays dry.

 

I Plan to spray it with waterproofing stuff

 

Yep sure is. Its there X2O - 10 . I also got a FREE winch cover when I ordered it so its even more protected when its not in use.

 

i had the smittybilt 8000 before this new "waterproof" one and it was a piece of junk. i had it for 6 months, used it twice, it wouldnt work after that and was ignored when i tried to use the warranty.

ill never buy from smittybilt again, i hope you dont run into the same issues.

 

I bought an extended 5 year warranty through 4WD.com when I purchased it. Its a NO QUESTIONS ASKED Waranty doesn't matter what the problem is or how it happened. They replace it.

 

Serious, I always use 10-12k. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Plus I find using a winch closer to its max wears it out faster.

and for the OP I use Titan Winches.

 

I got an XRC8 for 300 bucks and that sucker has gotten me outta plenty of jams. Its a little slow but it works great.