This must be like opening up a can or worms or the oil thread again -
I am looking at a comparison of the Warn 9000 lb and the Mile Marker 9500 lb winches. Product reviews on each seem to be about equal, but there is a common complaint of cable rust. Any experience out there on these two winches - one of my friends recommended Smitty Built? Have not looked into it.
Many thanks,
Richard

Which Winch would you choose? single choice
	Warn
	Mile Marker
	Smitty Built
Votes accepted starting: 01/17/08 06:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

The Warn winch may cost a little more, but they have been in the winch business a long time, and their reputation is solid.

Not only have they been in the buisness for ever, But they have a great warrenty to back their product up. As far as rust problems I haven't seen any on mine, But I have noticed some on the Warn bumpers. Going to start rubbing them down with some WD-40. Infact I think I will do the same to the cable on the winch. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Rob/Steve, the warranty info I came to understand is a 90 day on Warn and a 1 year on Mile Marker - did I get this wrong?
Richard

I think your information is wrong. Give Warn a call. I've had friends (who abused their winches), get their fixed for free well after one year.

Also, if you've ever seen a Warn and a Mile Marker taken apart, you'd see why people prefer the Warn.

Richard, if you look around at rigs when your out on the trails in Colorado, you'll find most 4x4s use a Warn winch; most of them fairly old. The important thing is to get a series wound motor for your winch. Rule of thumb is to use a winch rated at least 2 to 2 1/2 times the weight of your trail rig. Usually, Jeep owners purchase a winch rated at 8000 lb. or more.

Ramsey winches are as good as a Warn, but not as common as Warn winches due to the regional popularity that now exists for the Warn with the offroad vendors and those four wheelers who unwittedly only praise products they themselves have purchased. Ramsey has a long service history supporting commerical and military recovery vehicles. An interesting factoid is that President Ronald Regan used a Ramsey winch on his Jeep for his CA ranch.

But, there are a lot of great wiches on the market. Most are apprently made in the far east and are inexpensive, and, some of these are not going to last very long. I doubt seriously that Smity Built makes their own winch. Warn, Ramsey, and MileMarker are well known winch manufacturers, and probably the best sources to purchase a reliable and durable winch.

Fred, thanks for the info - I will look at the Ramsey unit - you can tell that I have been out of wheeling for some time - my last jeep was a venerable 1948 CJ2A and I knew it inside out and had it apart many, many times. Never used a winch then...but, times have changed. I am also finding out there is a world of difference in bumpers for winches too....thickness of steel plate, welding, mounting, hook or D ring attachment...any advice on a front bumper/winch system is appreciated from this group.

When buying a front bumper with d-ring mounts, buy one with those mounts welded THROUGH the bumper for strength. And always use grade 8 mounting hardware.

Richard, You really don't have to have a winch-in-bumper setup for a Wrangler, just a simple winch plate which the manufacturer can provide that matches your vehicle and winch. Use bolts provided with winch for mounting. Or, if you have or have a friend that has the skill to do so, you could make your own winch plate. Yes, there are a lot of different bumpers on the market, and you do have to do your homework to get what you want. My advice, listen to others, do your own study, and buy what you want to fit your needs. Buyer beware! BTW, what do you have for a Jeep?

The winch I own is a XD9000i from Warn. It has never let me down, but Ive done my homework on the vehicle before ordering.
To clear up any warranty info, the paperwork in front of me states, a lifetime warranty on mechanical and a limited lifetime warranty on electrical(1 Year). The motor on it is a Bosch which is trusted.
So I think they are saying do your homework ie.weight;terrain;circumstance= ? winch.