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 Any one ever try a cheap winch?
#1022106
03/03/11 03:14 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 95
OP
Getting the Wheeling Fever
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I am looking around at 6,000-10,000 lb winches. Has anyone tried the cheap ones? I assume you get what you pay for, but I only plan on using it to drag my friends out of ditches (once my truck runs of course). ;-) Do you think one of these would hold up for a year or two with light use? All of these are under $300 shipped with all accessories. Runva 9500lb (Can't find it off-hand, but I did find it for $285 shipped) Vortex 6000lb Promark 8000lb I usually prefer to buy the higher quality items, but these are kinda tempting for around half the price. Thanks, Ryan
1984 Mitsubishi Montero, 2.6l - 5 speed
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: RyanB]
#1022107
03/03/11 03:46 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,435
Body Damage is Cool
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I am looking around at 6,000-10,000 lb winches. Has anyone tried the cheap ones? I assume you get what you pay for, but I only plan on using it to drag my friends out of ditches (once my truck runs of course). ;-) Do you think one of these would hold up for a year or two with light use? All of these are under $300 shipped with all accessories. Runva 9500lb (Can't find it off-hand, but I did find it for $285 shipped) Vortex 6000lb Promark 8000lb I usually prefer to buy the higher quality items, but these are kinda tempting for around half the price. Thanks, Ryan I have a Smittybilt XRC8, an OK lower end unit for $300 shipped. Several other members here have this one too. http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-and-W...t_pn=S%2fB97281
- '83 Might Max: IG @83mmax
- '88 Raider: my OG
- '89 Raider: rescued
- '92 RS M/T: sold
- '93 SR: sent to crusher
- '05 Montero LTD: sold
- '18 PHEV: wife's daily
- '14 OL GT
- http://www.tuffpans.com
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: RyanB]
#1022108
03/03/11 03:54 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 509
Rock Warrior
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I have an older gorilla/promark 10k winch that has been used every time I have gone out. I feel the quality is up there with warn and mine came with a free wireless controller. I'll buy another promark if I need another winch. They also have super low prices on recovery gear and replacement winch cable. I have also been impressed with customer service when I have called them. Do not buy a smittybuilt.
SOLD!!: 91 LS 95 SR Rear LSD front 95 LS front brakes Dons Bumper 10k Gorilla/Promark winch Safari Snorkel Dual bouncy 31's
1991 Chevy Suburban 33's. All other stock.
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: willwinchforfood]
#1022109
03/03/11 04:25 AM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,649
Web Wheeler
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I've seen John's, and it's pretty nice. It will match low-mid Warn winches I've seen used.
Not responsible for advice not taken...
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: fasteddy]
#1022110
03/03/11 04:30 AM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,607
Roll Me Over
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I've got a 10Klbs Harbor Freight winch. I have used it several times and it works just fine. Some say it's the same as the Mile Marker unit. You can often find a 20% off coupon for HF doing a Google search
'97 Montero 'LSR' - 4.6 gears & factory rear locker, 33" Procomp muds on 15x8 steelies, 50mm coil spacers, T-bar crank, Airlift, sans rear sway, 50mm rear frame & fuel tank lift, Aisins, ARB front bumper + 10k lb winch, 50mm DIY body lift, rock sliders, cut rear quarter panels...
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: Mad_Scientist]
#1022111
03/03/11 05:15 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,690
Trail Leader
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I've seen some mixed performances with the cheaper winches, but I can't speak for their Battery, wiring, etc setups that those guys had. My guess is they weren't working too hot because they cheaped out on the rest of the setup.
I use a Milemarker 9k and a battery that might weigh almost as much as it does. No problems yet - I winch with the motor off though when recovering others, works great.
1999 Mitsu Montero - Crappy Weather
1992 Isuzu Pickup - Zombie Apocalypse
2008 Saturn Sky Redline - Nice Weather
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: Mad_Scientist]
#1022112
03/03/11 05:35 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 530
Rock Warrior
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I've got a 10Klbs Harbor Freight winch. I have used it several times and it works just fine. Some say it's the same as the Mile Marker unit. You can often find a 20% off coupon for HF doing a Google search I recall seeing a 4x4 magazine article comparing a bunch of 9-10k winches. Much to their amazement, most of the big names fell short in the tests, while the 10k Harbor Freight unit surpassed the testing requirements. IIRC, they rated it the best because it came VERY close to the only other winch that passed the tests (out of about 8 winches, only two passed), and was half the price. I've been buying HF for years, in everything from floor jacks to plasma cutters. They are still my go-to store.
HUMMER .25: No need to compensate.
1989 Dodge Raider: 3.0/5
1992 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible: 3.0/A
1994 GMC Safari: 4.3/A
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: WagonMaster]
#1022113
03/03/11 10:30 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 315
Mudrunner
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Can you guys get IronMan stuff over there>??
I bought a 12000lb IronMan for A$799 which is about 1/2 the cost of a Warn. It has worked without fault. Comes with cordless remote too (but they all do now probably) BTW my other winch is a Magnum (budget Warn) & its a dog, dont like using it, it just seems to struggle even from new. Would replace it in a flash with the IronMan if it died.
cheers
97 Exceed, 3.5l SOHC auto, 4.90 gears, ARB front locker,rear Harrop E-Locker, Magnum winch, dual transfer cases also 2008 NS swb Pajero, front bar & winch
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: Ian Sharpe]
#1022114
03/03/11 08:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,479
Roll Me Over
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I like the looks of the Smittybuilt winch, for the price I think its worth a shot. Also, something I see about winches, my friend snapped his synthetic line like 8 times from straight winching off another truck. Would it take the strain off the line by using a pulley on the winch line and an extension strap to the vehicle being pulled out? That would also increase the pulling power of the winch correct? Edit: Yes Snatchblocks do help... I googled my own question. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by StockRaider; 03/03/11 08:16 PM.
Richard E 1989 Montero - Stock-ish 1989 V6 Auto Raider - 5.3 Vortech Swap. 1987 Mitsubishi Starion 2.6t, soon to be 3.5 1983 Honda XL600R 
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Re: Any one ever try a cheap winch?
[Re: StockRaider]
#1022115
03/03/11 08:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 509
Rock Warrior
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The smittybuilt winch is one of the most returned winches for massive internal failure according to 4 Wheel Parts Centers. I would really really be careful with these. I have personally seen two grenade themselves. Just my observations.
SOLD!!: 91 LS 95 SR Rear LSD front 95 LS front brakes Dons Bumper 10k Gorilla/Promark winch Safari Snorkel Dual bouncy 31's
1991 Chevy Suburban 33's. All other stock.
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