I've started my preliminary winch shopping. Won't be buying till Feb/March, as a treat for paying off one of my biggest student loans, but want to get an early start. So:

• what do you have? (specific model number too if you know it)
• how does it fit? (and I guess I should ask how heavy it is?)
• how does it operate under heavy usage (ie increase ps fluid usage, run battery down, etc.)
• How durable is it?
• Would you recommend buying brand X?

I'm putting it on a DON bumper, so I can mount integrated or non-integrated, hydraulic, or electric, and I'm not "brand-loyal" at this stage. I just want a good winch, that'll last me a long time. I want at least a 9K#, and I'd prefer weight-savigns, if at all possible. This winch will see water, mud, and extreme temps. I have dual batteries installed, so I'm not super worried about getting stranded cause my battery got run down. I just rebuilt my power steering pump, so it shouldn't be an issue either, although it does still have a small whine when turning the big tires.

So... build your case. School me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and just for fun, a short poll for brand loyalists:

What's your favorite winch brand? single choice
	Warn
	Ramsey
	Superwinch
	Milemarker
	T-Max
	an offbrand (just as good as the big names, only cheaper)
Votes accepted starting: 11/12/04 06:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I have only had a warn. I got it about 2.5 years ago. It is an 8000lb. I really like it. I would get another warn. And it fits nicely on the DON bumper. I have used a snatch block when pulling very hard loads, no problems. I ran my old battery down a couple of times, but have not ran the Optmia down yet.

I just bought the first one that came my way. A guy needed cash, gave him $450. It looked like new. Warn XD9000i
It has worked great so far. Fits behind the bumper well. I do have dual batteries.I found that with the cable streched all the way out to rewind it, I could kill the truck. It would start right back up,and probably would not die if I had a hand throttle to keep the RPM's up. Since I put in dual batteries that does not happen. the winch is hooked to the second battery.

Warn - the first name in winching. I waded through a lot of opinions on this forum as well as doing my own independent research. A Warn electric was my first choice. Milemarker hydraulic would've been my second choice. Warn has the reputation.

Anyway, I've had my winch for just over a year, have used it several times, and am very happy with my choice. However, if you're gonna go with an electric winch make sure you have the battery power to back it up!


FRANKENWINCH LIVES!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have a warn 8274.

It is the most bad ass electric winch ever made in my opinion. It is fast as hell, and even though it is only 8k it will be the last winch working at the end of the day.

The serial number on mine dates it to the late 70's, all that I needed to replace on it when I bought it was some solenoids and a brake kit. The age of it alone is a testament to its durability.

It has a separate brake not incorporated into the drum. The motor is on top separate from the drum as well and I think the spur gears it uses is superior to all the other warn winches.

I have used it a couple of times and I love it more and more each time. My last stuck I was wedged between a huge glacial boulder and a tree. The boulder was buried in the ground deep, I was actually moving the boulder before I was finally able to winch over it. It stalled, and I snatch blocked it to get more pull, it took a bit to get unstuck but the winch motor was cool to the touch even after being stalled a lot and run for a long time.

I'd look more into the hydraulic winches Phil. I've never actualy had a winch but I've been running with guy's who have, and when it come's to a serious rescue operation the electrical winches allways manage to destroy a battery or two. A hydraulic winch maybe more expensive and harder to install but in the end you don't have a winch that say's "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee click.........eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee click" all the time and fryes the electrics in the rig.


Just look well into all the pro's and con's.

This guy had to buy 2 new battery's after 4-5 trucks tryed to pull him up.

I've only had Warn myself. I have a HS9500i. But like Party Truck says, all goes on what you need it for exactally. For most people, Warn will do the job.

later,
Angelo

Post deleted by Big Blue

Phil,

That bumper was designed to fit a Milemarker 10,500

But of course any other winch should fit!!!

I don't yet have a winch, but it will eventually be the Milemarker 10,500.
I've seen Warns and the Milemarkers in use, and would prefer the hydraulic, especially if the power steering pump is up to it.
But in my case I'm looking for what I want (quiet power), not what's least expensive.
And it's VERY soggy where I live, so I'm all in favour of avoiding electrics.

Look into the Amsteel grey or blue synthetic line as well. The steel 3/8" cable on most winches weighs ~40 lbs, so it's a great weight saver.

Thanks for the input so far guys. I guess I had always *planned* to get a Milemarker, but I've been concerned about the pump's output. Is it going to be able to keep up with winching duties? Is it going to put more strain on the pump? Are there any other detriments to multi-tasking the stock PS pump? Because I know there are a lot of plusses to not having to use the stock electrical system for such a high-drain device....

Oh, as far as hookup, what kit would one need to plumb it into the OE steering system? Toyota?

PHIL