hey anyone know about chicago eletric winches ? as in how good/bad they are are they reliable the son is getting a stubby frnt bumper with the winch 10000# and the rear stubby for a fantastic price thanks

 

The 8000lb Chicago Electric winch is rebadged and sold under the "Smittybuilt" brand name, so any favorable reviews you read about the Smittybuilt 8000lb winch are essentially favorable reviews about the Chicago Electric 8000lb winch. I can't say for sure whether their 10000lb winch is the same deal, but I would expect similar quality/function.

Oh, and as far as I've seen from forum users here, they seem to be solid winches for the money... just don't expect Warn or Ramsay quality and you probably won't be disappointed.

 

I also think it was rebadges as Champion winch that was sold at Costco as well. And if it was then it will hold up ok, Used one on my RubyDoo and busted 2 cables with the 8000Lb winch. Downfall was the Bushing/seals for the drum, they are plastic and get all beat up after a while and cause water/dirt/stuff to get in the grease and turn it into glue. I tore mine apart and cleaned it with brake cleaner dried it off and rebuilt it with white lithium grease and works like a charm.

 

Read the Winches In Hell articles at moabjeeper.com

 

GREAT ARTICAL

 

I just ordered the Smittybuilt 8000. It is going to be portable, I have a receiver on the front of my bumper. I will put it on when I go wheeling and leave it off during normal day to day driving. I will also be able to move it to the back if I need to pull myself backwards. I may never even need to use it, but I will have it just incase. $269.00 + tax and free shipping= 289.53 total. I got 10% off when I ordered it. I have heard that it is the same as the Harbor Freight, so I went to Harbor and looked at theirs, not the same.

 

I got my smittybuilt winch from 4 Wheel Parts from the UPS guy and I opened it and it looked used and it was broken. I called them but it was too late, they were closed. I will try to take care of this tomorrow. I dont think I should have to mail it back. I think I should be able to go to the local 4wheel parts store and trade it in for one that is not broken.

 

I was going to buy the Smittybuilt 8000 untill I saw it in the store, the housing around the engage lever was already cracked and the quality did not look very good. I went with the Warn 8000.