werks
Member
Agreed, I ordered a Zenon 10 instead of an 8 for the same reason. A little bit more money and 25% more pulling power, so less strain put on the winch when used and an even larger safety margin.
Winch selection
- Thread starter Rud
- Start date
Agreed, I ordered a Zenon 10 instead of an 8 for the same reason. A little bit more money and 25% more pulling power, so less strain put on the winch when used and an even larger safety margin.
Wardell
New member
Yeah, I agree with the others. An 8,000 lbs rated winch can be enough for a JKU, but depending how badly you are stuck you could push it right up to the limit. With a 10,000 lbs rated winch you'll at least have the piece of mind that it can do more, even if it's to recover someone else.
Also, there was the question of synthetic vs steel line. I'd suggest synthetic because it's safer. The reason is simple physics: force = mass x acceleration. Even if the two lines snap back at the same rate, the steel line will have more force because it has more mass, and that's what will do damage to whatever the line hits (whether it's your Jeep, or worse, a bystander).
I can recommend getting a Warn too. I've had to pull a buddy of mine out with a tow rope when his Superwinch died. I've yet to see a Warn fail on the trail like that. But whichever winch you do get, I suggest testing it out before you leave home so you don't get any surprises along the way.
Also, there was the question of synthetic vs steel line. I'd suggest synthetic because it's safer. The reason is simple physics: force = mass x acceleration. Even if the two lines snap back at the same rate, the steel line will have more force because it has more mass, and that's what will do damage to whatever the line hits (whether it's your Jeep, or worse, a bystander).
I can recommend getting a Warn too. I've had to pull a buddy of mine out with a tow rope when his Superwinch died. I've yet to see a Warn fail on the trail like that. But whichever winch you do get, I suggest testing it out before you leave home so you don't get any surprises along the way.
Rud
New member
What did you pay for it and where if you don't mind?
jorgelrod
Hooked
My name is Jorge and I approve this message...
After pulling a Suburban stuck up to the axles at the beach out of the sand, I realized it's not just about the weight of your vehicle sometime.
Pyro1415
New member
Wow that hundred pull story really makes me want a Warn, unfortunately my wife would light my jeep on fire if she saw that bill. I've seen a few guys running an Engo 9ks and I think ill be going 10kS just for the extra power for the JKU. My reasoning behind this is a Warn is a great winch for everybody, but Engo will more than meet my needs. I never wheel alone, always carry a snatch strap or two, aircraft grade ratcheting straps and a shovel. The winch will be used if I hit ice and go into a snow filled ditch or I'm at an angle where snatching just isn't safe or possible. I'd estimate the winch might get 10 pulls a year tops and the money between Engo and a Warn will help pay for a locker which will limit the number of uses even more.
However I will be buying Warn snatch blocks and straps, but that's for safety more than anything and $70 over Chinese price is more than worth it.
However I will be buying Warn snatch blocks and straps, but that's for safety more than anything and $70 over Chinese price is more than worth it.
MFDSpecOps
New member
Running a Smitybilit X2O 10K. For half the price I decided to experiment. The winch is well built with Syn rope of 100'. Comes w/a wireless remote, which is a nice safety option. I have used 3 times on straight pulls and one via a single pulley rig. The winch performed flawlessly, no slipping and no over heating. Impressed. :beer:
*Experiment was due to its IP68 rating!
*Experiment was due to its IP68 rating!
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OverlanderJK
Resident Smartass
This is what happens when you try to save money on a winch.
JeepJeep75
New member
This sums this whole thread up perfectly. If you found yourself stuck out in the middle of nowhere and the above pic was your only way out, how much would you be willing to pay to get yourself rescued? It'll most likely be more than a couple hundred bucks you saved by buying a cheap-shit winch.
ttfhell
New member
That's what happens when you buy into "maintenance free".
dmpowder
New member
Hate to say it but that's just pure lack of maintenance. Has nothing to do with being a inexpensive winch. I don't care if it is a Warn or not you still have to maintain equipment.
Mountainjk10
Caught the Bug
Did you contact Engo yet? Most likely they will replace your damaged selonoid.
OverlanderJK
Resident Smartass
LOL! You sure sound like you know what you are talking about.
How exactly is it a lack of maintenance when a waterproof box isn't waterproof? It's my fault that water gets in there even with the slightest rain?
I opened it up, dried it out put the cover back on and the next day when it was sprinkling on and off it still allowed water in there. It has to do with a shitty fucking product, not maintenance.
piginajeep
The Original Smartass
No maintenance on my power plant in the 8 years I owned it. Always worked and never failed.. Ummm
bouche03
Member
The only winches I have seen fail so far when I've been out have been Smittybilt and cheap Harbor Freight Badlands winches-have not seen a Warn fail yet, which might only be luck, but I won't use anything but a Warn myself (M8000s here). A guy I was wheeling with this weekend was running 40's and has thousands into his rig and had a Smittybilt on his front bumper. Guess what? He was pulling a TJ up a steep rock obstacle this weekend and the brake failed on him. Every time he pulled, the winch would release out and all progress was lost. After that went away (not sure how) he used it again and the rope pulled out of the screw/anchor on the drum. Could not use it after that as the rope was just spinning on the drum...cheap cheap cheap. Buy a Warn and be done with it.
I installed an Engo E9000S yesterday and I'm very happy with it's build quality so far. I made the decision based on multiple factors; Cost vs. quality and quantity of use. Wheeling in New England presents many challenges but in 10 years of off-roading I've only needed to be recovered by a winch twice. Hi-lifts, comealongs and recovery straps have been the primary techniques. Based on my needs, asking around and this article (http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1107-massive-multi-winch-shootout/) I choose the Engo. I can afford the Warn M8000s but I can't justify the cost of it for my needs.
Sorry to hear that water got in your box Overlander, I hate it when that happens! It looks like your Engo has been on the front of your JK for a while, how long have you had it? I took some precautions and upfront preventative maintenance before I installed mine. I double checked all the crews and bolts to ensure they're tight and right from the get go the solenoid box does not look remotly waterproof. Even if they claimed it is, it clearly isn't so relocating it or waterproofing it will be my responsibility. Sure it's a modification to a new product and I shouldn't have to do it anyway but we modify our Jeeps to make them better. "Maintenance free" is great but preventative maintenance is always required one way or another.
Sorry to hear that water got in your box Overlander, I hate it when that happens! It looks like your Engo has been on the front of your JK for a while, how long have you had it? I took some precautions and upfront preventative maintenance before I installed mine. I double checked all the crews and bolts to ensure they're tight and right from the get go the solenoid box does not look remotly waterproof. Even if they claimed it is, it clearly isn't so relocating it or waterproofing it will be my responsibility. Sure it's a modification to a new product and I shouldn't have to do it anyway but we modify our Jeeps to make them better. "Maintenance free" is great but preventative maintenance is always required one way or another.
OverlanderJK
Resident Smartass
Maybe two years. I know people with 10 year old warns that have never had issues. Hell my grandparents had 40 year old warns on the farm I used to use growing up and they never failed. And those things sat outside during summer, rain, ice, snow and everything you could imagine. Never had issues.