OK, after all the previous advice, I have narrowed down my search to a Warn M8000 and a Ramsey Patriot 8000. My question is which fairlead? The Warn comes with either a Hawse type or Roller type while the Ramsey only has the roller type. Any comments on the differences between hawse or roller? Also, now looking for a suitable bumper with mount and D rings - always open to advice.
Regards,
Richard

There are soooo many bumpers to choose from. Get one that you think looks good.

As far as fairleads go....the rollers are for steel cable, and the hawse fairleads are for synthetic winch lines.

What Brown said on fairleads.

You may not have to replace your bumper if cost is an issue. If it's one that won't interfere with the winch operation what I did was get a mounting plate only and then use some 3 1/2x3 1/2x 3/8" angle, weld in a gusset (if you don't weld it's a 5 min job for someone at your local shop), and drill 2 holes for the bolts and one for the shackles. Bolts straight through the frame at the ends of the winch plate. They're big holes but it can be done with a hand drill and oil in just a few minutes each.

Of course those rock-crushing bumpers do look cool. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the idea. Right now I am settling in on a Warn M8000 winch which has great reviews on a number of sites and can be had for $600. There is a bumper I am looking at mfgr by Oylympic 4x4 Products that is a stubby and comes with attachment points for D rings. The whole package will cost me less than 1 grand...that is about my max budget at this time. The winch plate alone for using the stock bumper is still over a hundred...so getting the full bumper is not much more.
Do you have a photo or two or your front setup?

Regards,
Richard

I suggest your winch choice be revisted! The Warn M8000 may not be a good choice for here in Colorado and Utah where it will heatup with long or repeated use. The M8000 is rated for only occasional use. Your second choice may be superior where it is rated for frequent use. The M8000 I believe is made for Warn as an inexpensive alternative to its own manufactured winches to provide a wide spectrum of products for a wide variety of buyers with different degrees of knowledge and/or uses. I believe the M8000 winch is available under several different manufacturers' labels.

Fred, your point is well taken and I did note that when looking at the Warn M8000. However, in the kind of wheeling I intend to do, it would only be occasionally and hopefully only a couple of times per year unless I manage to get into trouble, then I am exceeding my intentions. It did state a 30 second operation at full load with a cooldown, but it also has a series wound motor which my research revealed to still be better than a PM motor...so, point well taken and I trust it will fill my limited budget and needs...
Richard

Gotcha! I respectfully suggest simply waiting a month or two until you can purchase a better winch for trails here in Colorado. This is not an item where you should go cheap. The difference between the two products you mentioned is $100. As you probably know, I have the Patriot 8000 on my rig. I can speak well of its reliability. I also suggest that many times the winch pulls are for extented periods of time, especially when using the winch to pull your Jeep up a step inclined trail. Yes, you only use the winch occasionally, but when you need to use the winch its almost always for extended pulls. Rarely will you be winching in this country to get unstuck from a quagmire.
I should also mentioned the long illustrious service I experienced with the Ramsey REP8000. Yes, it was a permanent magnet type, but it got me through just about every difficult trail here in Colorado and Moab: in Montrose, the REP8000 winched my YJ up at least a 2o to 25' vertical canyon wall in Calamity Canyon where the Jeep was actually suspended several feet off the canyon floor by only the wire rope; while an old Warn winch frizzled and ignited in flames attempting the same feat. Only in hindsight, I can laugh about it. I think leaving the winch exposed w/o a cover finally brought on its demise after 10+ years of service. The REP8000 now sits in a box in my garage until I need to resurrect it. I suggest taking a look at this winch if dollars are an issue; its about $400 (if dollars are the major consideration). Take your time, the trails don't open up until about May, at least on the sunny side on the mountains. Whatever you decide will be fine, I can only suggest what I know from experience. Plenty of good winches on the market these days. A Warn badge these days can be misleading, however. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Fred, I second your opinion of the Ramsey REP8000. I've had one on the front of my CJ7 since 1993, and it hasn't ever let me down, even on some relaatively long pulls. I've always had a dual battery setup in the Jeep, so that has helped. But the winch itself has done very well.

About 5 years ago, I took the solenoid box apart and re-wired the solenoids after moving them under the hood to keep them out of the elements. Best move I ever made. The only thing I've had to replace was the roller fairlead, because the rollers rusted pretty solid after about ten years. After replacing them, I've squirted a bunch of silicon spray inside each roller ech spring, and now no problems.

Just out of curiousity, what kind of recommendation can you guys give for a Warn 8274? A friend just gave me one that he's had since 1987 and only used a few times.

What's your point? Warn is a superior winch. all winch manufacturers appear to compare their winches against Warn's. I've never had one, but Warn winches are the most common winch used by the BigDogs here in my area. The 8274 is rated for 8000 lbs.

""Warn 8274-50
This winch has been largely unchanged for decades for a good reason: you don't mess with perfection. This winch has a super quick "no load" line speed of 73.4 ft/min. Its unique spur gear drive train and upright design will deliver years of trouble free operation. The Warn 8274-50 is without a doubt one of the classic "workhorse" winches. This was the winch of choice mounted to all of the Camel Trophy Defenders in the early years of the event (1981-1989).

The Warn 8274 includes a super long wire rope- 150 feet long and 5/16" diameter. Includes roller fairlead, hook and remote control.""

Be very very happy! Be $1200 very very happy! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />