I am no expert on winches and I just got my first one a few weeks ago but I thought I would share with you what I got. It's a superwinch tiger shark 9500. it came with a synthetic rope so the winch only weighs about 55 pounds compared to winches with a cable weighs 80 to 90 pounds. Now I did get it on sale but it's still only $500 now. Superwinch Tiger Shark 9500 SR Electric Winch - SW-1595201

They also have the same size winch with a cable for $350 or a 1150 winch with a cable for $500.

 

$300 for filling a hole ?

You could have a nice custom made plate for closing it. This would create the perfect place for air horns.
A nice bracket for extra lights can come out of there.
Or both of the above...
But why pay $300 for a dozens of pounds weight at the front, which you say you don't need?

 

My boss verified the Engo to indeed be manufactured by Warn. It is comparable in quality to that of their 1200 dollar winch. They are able to sell it for 300 dollars because of the quantity that Harbor Freight orders. I am going to pick one up this weekend to use as spare parts for my Warn.

 

I run the best parts and chose an Engo winch. It's a beast. Yeah, it's loud, but it works and gets the job done. I was with two different groups this year where new $1500 Warn winches failed after 30 seconds. I moved a boulder with my Jeep while being pulled by my $450 Engo. A few data points, but enough to suggest the premium is way out of whack.

 

I've had the 12000 HF winch for just over a year now. No issues so far. I've used it 5 or 6 times now with no issues.

It's powerful enough to drag my Jeep across the pavement with the brakes locked while trying to pull a large tree stump.

You can find it on sale sometimes for $279, the real "sale" price.

 

Cool! Thanks for you guys input! I think I might try one of the HF winches. Sounds good enough for me.

 

I will admit that I spend a lot of $$ at HF on tools and random stuff but I would also think twice about a winch.... I know the price sounds appealing for that amount of pulling power but do you really need that much? Wouldnt a 8.5k or 10k get the job done? The only reason I say that is bc I too faced the decision after reading the write up in offroad magazine that called it the best rated for the $$. Then I remembered the electric drill that melted in my hand and the grinder that smoked and blew out the fuse in my house that came from HF. Jeeps already have a tendency to like fire why add another potential risk. You can get a engo or a smittybilt which are decent for around that price.

 

Just a thought. You said you would spend up to 500. This is 549 and is a hell of a winch for the money.

 

I had one on a YJ their great for the price if you catch the sale. Or know a HF employee for the discount

 

Larry's dads boss verified that engineer is made by warn...so it's settled then. I wold be interested to see how you or your boss thinks it's the same or comparable quality as their 1200$ winch.


I bought the smittybilt x20, waterproof, lifetime warranty, and only 300 shipped to my door. I have pulled a few times on it works great, we will see how it works over the years!