If you are afraid of Engo being around in a few years, you can always look at another Chinese made winch like smittybilt. There is really no major differences among most of the china winched as they are made in the same factory. While some parts are probably not interchangeable, I bet some are.

As for smittybilt, they are owned by 4 wheel parts and the brand has been around a long time. Their winches have been around at least as long as the JK has been around so I wouldn't worry about replacement parts. They are not some startup looking to break into the winch market. Rugged Ridge winches are 99% the same so you have choices.

Engo was one of the only few Chinese winches that were included in the shootout. That shootout, however, is so biased towards Warn that it is hard to believe anything they said.

For the record, I've had my smitty for almost 4 years. No issues. Several others in my club have been using them since 2008 without any issues.

If you are looking to do hardcore constant winching or wheel alone most of the time, then some of the higher end Warns or Mile Markers would be a better choice. For the average once a month wheeler, a harbour freight winch would suffice. Most of us wheel with others so access to a winch if one fails is usually a non issue. But, I've yet to see a winch stop working on a trail.

 

My brother bough a Warn 9.5cti-s winch when we first bought our JKU's, I though he was nuts to spend that amount of money on something that is rarely used. For over a year I researched different brands and everybody's opinions. Read all the winching stories and watched plenty of YouTube videos. It was a hard choice but the Warn kept calling me back. Made in the USA, plus the history of the company. It gave me that warm fuzzy feeling whereas the other companies left me still debating. I just installed my cti-s last week, and every time I walk up to my Jeep I'm proud of the purchase I made. USA winch in a USA bumper on a USA Jeep. It's like my old Craftsman tools, always reliable, and it feels good to support your fellow countrymen.

 

If you buy a warn you will get a good winch no doubt. Most of us just can't justify the price for something that may get once a year. I bought a superwinch it looks nice but I haven't got to use it yet. Really almost all the witches you buy will be pretty decent most of them are made in the same factory anyway. You do make a good point though my brother bought a winch and the company isn't around anymore, but its identically made to several other winches so no big deal

 

M8000 on eBay for $500 bucks + $57 shipping. Warn M8000 Premium Winch Series New | eBay

 

I have a superwinch 8500. Pulled a f250 with a quad out of a slight ditch. Made me nervous but she did it. Pulled myself out of some alberta mud this past summer with ease. 399 and its holding up. Running warn 15 and 16.5 on my work trucks. Those things are beast and have pulled trucks, logs, trailers and other assorted goodies out of trouble. After a few cable swaps from wear and tear, they work like charm. One free spool latch is seized though. That winch is pushing 15yrs or older.

 

OP, if you shop around (as posted), you can get a better price on the Warn.

I HAVE had a Engo before.. E9000s. I bought it because of the shootout. I used it a few times, and it did well. I will say though, I hated the way it sounded. It was very loud and just made me nervous. Bang for the buck on synthetic, they are hard to beat, but I don't think i'll buy another. I'd probably get the Warn, or a Quadratec winch.