Think of it this way... how often do you wheel hard? How often are you going to wheel in spots where you can use it? Base your assumptions off that. I would love to have a winch bit where I wheel, there are absolutely no trees so I just carry my hi lift and a cumalong

 

Where I wheel at there are always trees, well usually. The places locally that I go to is filled full of trees. I hate not having a winch. Once I get all of this wiring crap figured out, I am going to order front and rear lockers. I was going to do it right away, but there are some things that need to be addressed on it first.

 

I have the Harbor Freight 9k winch that I am installing tomorrow. It will get used and abused. I got mine for <$250 shipped to my door. I have read mostly great reviews on it.

The biggest complaint about it that I have read is that it is slow.

In my book slow is good for a few reasons.

1. It should theoretically be a lower amperage draw overall.

2. More control of what I am winching.

 

A bit off topic, but a word or two on "synthetic rope".

These synthetic winch lines are an aramid fiber, and are sold commercially under the brand names of Spectra, Plasma, etc. As a commercial fisherman I have had extensive experience with these, in sizes up to 2". We would use this stuff extensively in trawl net construction, and use a pair of 2" Spectra lines to drag a 150 ton bag of fish up on deck. This in place of the 1.5" wire we had previously used.

We found the Spectra to be a good replacement for wire in certain situations, but even though tensile strength ratings for the rope were comparable to wire of the same diameter... we would replace wire with rope of a larger diameter. The outside of rope would fray out & lose a certain amount of strength relatively quickly. It will fray on the winch drum from one wrap grinding on the next. It will fray if you drag it across something. It will part in a heartbeat if it's wrapped over something sharp and gets a shock load. Also it REALLY likes to backlash on a winch drum if it gets wrapped on tightly over a looser layer underneath. I've had to cut it off of winch drums before. Glad I wasn't paying for it.

FWIW...I'll be sticking with the wire thats already on my winch. And wear some gloves when I handle it.

 

I've been doing some research, and it seems like a lot of people like the Engo winch as well.

I can't decide if to go with wire or the rope...The rope really intrigues me because you wouldn't have to wear gloves, its a lot lighter...etc...But as you said, I just don't know that it will hold up very good.

 

goatherder, thanks for the input about synthetic line. Always good when people post up first hand experiences with something vs opinions and hear say.

 

http://4wheelonline.com/ENGO_E-Winch...173719.641858#

Best deal that I have saw on that winch. I think I am going to buy it. Seems like a lot of people like them.

 

I bought an Engo E10k last year ($3 bills and change) and its been great. Gave it a good workout last weekend and it did it's job. Was also about to switch to synthetic, but doesn't sound like I'll be doing that anytime soon.

I dont' think their remote is worth a damn, so don't spend $$ there. I'm going to wire in a dash switch for it soon.

 

How do you wire in a dash switch? That's a good idea! I actually had that setup in one of my old Samurai's, but I didn't wire it up. I thought about getting a wireless remote too. I found a write up on how to do it with a HF wireless remote with the Engo winch.

EDIT- Just placed my order for the 9k Engo. I did go ahead and buy the Synthetic, so I will need to buy a cover for it and keep it clean. Hopefully it holds up. I plan on routing my solenoid box to the engine bay to keep it out of the weather and for a cleaner looking install.

 

I have had/used several winches with both synthetic and cable. I will never go back to cable. Synthetic is lighter, wont kill someone if it does break, does not coil up/tangle anywhere near as easily, when it frays it wont slice your hand open, and is way easier to spool/unspool.

It does fade in sunlight, it does need to be cleaned every so often. You are not supposed to leave it wound tight (tightens/shrinks under pressure) and therefore after a real heavy pull (had to pull a f250 about 80 feet back onto the road through a couple feet of snow last week) you are supposed to rewind it. Also it wont hold up to being drawn through sharp rocks/earth to the point of cutting a ditch like cable will (has never been an issue for me... Just winch to a higher point).


I have yet to have a synthetic cable break on me- and I use my winch much more then most people pulling things I probably shouldn't.. 9k winch, 10k line... pull suburbans/large trucks up inclines etc. I've been very pleased with the Engo E9000s... Tough little winch. 9k is more than enough for the XJ. Pros and cons... for me its synthetic all the way.

*edit* the controller that comes with the Engo is long enough for you to sit inside and use it. Mine is in a basket so I didn't take the time to wire it up inside. (quick connects on front and rear) but here's a writeup.

How To Wire an In-Cab Winch Controller: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1061270
http://www.4x4wire.com/tech/winch/remote/
http://www.stu-offroad.com/recovery/incab/incab-1.htm

And you can buy permanent controllers for the inside. (just one of many) http://www.prime4x4.com/shop/Switch-...96XJ-CC001.htm

 

I have looked at the line I think you are talking about,looks like some good stuff.http://www.westechrigging.com/rope--...teel-rope.html

 

Awesome! Very good information here, thank you for all the the information everyone!

 

Don't be fooled. I've seen a piece of 1/2" Spectra part and hit somebody. It didn't kill him, but it blew the eye right out of his head. Got him a ride out of Dutch Harbor on the Coast Guard helo, a medivac Learjet ride to Anchorage, extensive surgery, and 750 grand.

If if parts and you're in the way, you will get twapped.

 

I'm at 5 years and probably 50 hard pulls on my smittybilt xrc8 and it's still running great. Plastic has faded but my jeep is stored in the sun most the time. For the price they are great but remember they are a 1/4 of the winch others may have. But for me as an expedition guy it's been more than enough. As of today I have never been able to stop the winch from turning. Even pulling multiple lines of vehicles. It has gotten hot as hell and turned slowly but never given up. So I must say I've gotten my 275 bucks out of it.

 

Certainly! It cant feel good getting whipped. Sounds like he got lucky all things considered... Even so, a synthetic line with way less mass than its steel counterpart is not going to have the same energy when breaking under a similar load. That is simple physics. Safety/maintenance is of course important using either.

While on the subject of breakages, synthetic is way easier to fix should it snap on the trail.

I know people who swear by both. Most of my buddies with steel use chain-lube to keep it from rusting and fraying. I use Tide on my synthetic. Both will last alot longer if you maintain them.

*edit* Remember to use the correct fairlead as well. Synthetic can get caught in the edges of a roller fairlead causing damage to the line. Steel cable will cut into and fray upon a hawse if drug at a bad angle. For steel, use a roller. For synthetic use a hawse OR you can buy synthetic rollers.