Just getting some opinions...would a 8500lb winch be sufficient for a 4 door jk with a 3 inch lift and 33s?

 

Yes it would.

 

snatch block is essential, which will double up that pulling power for the 8500.....get a tree saver and some d shackles....a good winch kit is worth it weight in gold...

 

8500 is just fine......like said a snatch block or two makes the pulling power incredible....

 

Thanks for the info guys...sorry I'm new to this but what is a snatch block

 

warn.com/truck/accessories/snatch_blocks_.shtml

Short version: A pulley you can attach to another vehicle or fixed object to change the direction of pull on the winch.

 

Here's a quick vid I found of someone using a snatchblock (pulley)...I do not recommend doing as the camera man does....standing so close to a winch during a pull.....if line snaps, can be deadly

you can use it in multiple ways, and they double or triple the power of your winch, depending on how many snatch blocks used...just do a search on youtube and there are many vids of using them.

h t t p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td92wGxvujU&feature=related

 

Metal winch line could cut you in half under load. Syn line is much safer under load and after a line break. But It does cost more... Prob. Worth it in the long run.

 

The cable itself is the factor there, not the weight rating of the winch. If both 10K and 8.5K winches use a 3/8 cable, they'll snap at the same point. That said, some companies don't leave alot of wiggle room. Warn is notorious for using the bare minimum on their winches (5/16 on a XD9000, 9.5TI, 9.5XP.)


Min Breaking Strength (5/16)
9,800lbs -- Cable
9,000lbs -- Spectra
12,330ibs -- Amsteel

Min Breaking Strength (3/8)
14,400lbs -- Cable
13,900lbs -- Spectra
17,640ibs -- Amsteel