I'm taking a different direction and will be focusing on tire chains. I'll still pursue the hi lift winching as a back up. I'm now looking at the various types of "chains" and was hoping to hear of experiences people have had with them....
I'm looking at the Go Claws or Sno Claws. They look interesting....

 

just get real chains

 

And make 'em yourself...

 

my personal favorite type

 

Yes.

 

Spider Tracs and things like them work great on a smooth road surface on light fwd cars, and they're super easy to install once you have the hub adaptor mounted to the wheel, but regular old chains would be the best choice for an XJ.

 

I am a big fan of the v-bar style chains but the style I used were not as fast to put on. Worked great on a tractor in like 4ft of snow so I would assume it would work on a jeep?

 

Are you looking for getting into trouble chains, or getting out of trouble chains?
I prefer the V bar type only because there is always a layer of ice under the snow here.

 

Good point. I'll look into them because the same conditions exist here. Deep snow with an ice base......

Are any better than others? Ease of installation?

 

Acco Weed are the ones I use. I have a couple sets that are like 30 years old.

 

tryggs are all we use at work

8 axle and 13 axle trucks, 15% grades

its what ill buy when i rig up my xj for plowing

 

we use v bar steering links on the machines here where I work. the v seems to last longer than the studded type. very easy to install when you get them with the cam locks. also very easy to modify or repair if you break a steering link. having a bench vise and a grinder is pretty much all you need. you can order spare steering links. repairing the side chains is really easy too. with the wire type, its more of a PITA to repair. If I were you I would just start with a set of two chains for either the front or back, then go from there. One downside to this style of chain: you really can't spin your tires too fast, the chains will bind up and break. Also, if you DO break a steering link, you have to take care of it quick as flying chain tends to **** up sheet metal fairly quickly.