Go with the Smittybilt and buy it through 4wd. He has it with free shipping this month and invest a few extra $ to get the lifetime warranty with no worries. It will do everything you need it to do.

 

I went through this same comparison recently... I chatted with David at Northridge and he was a great resource and was super helpful answering questions and providing information about the advantages of the Warn winch.

What really sold me was this though... I spent a little time looking at Craig's List to see if I could stumble on one of those once in a lifetime finds where someone was selling their brand new 9.5xp for $200 - or something equally ludicrous I didn't find one, however I was amazed at the number of really old Warn winches for sale or mounted on the front of some rig for sale - all claimed to be in excellent working condition. I occassionally saw another brand mentioned, but the vast majority of the units that still worked despite being really old, were all Warn.

People can talk about what they think about the quality/durability of a product all day long, but numbers tell the truth. Warn winches keep running and last longer then the others, and they can be depended on to do the job when you need it to.

I went with an M-8000 and upgraded to Synthetic line. For me, that was the right decision, I want to know it's going to work when I need it...

 

I just put the Smittybilt XRC8 on my Jeep yesterday. I can't wait to use it.
I got a heck of a deal. $260 out the door.

 

Christine, where did you get that deal??

 

After I buried my jeep to the frame in mud and a Warn 9.5ti winched me out uphill without reving the engine, the choice was easy. You can always sell a warn if you need the money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Warn is the better winch. It will last you along time. If you are looking for a good winch that is cheaper, I prefer the Mile Markers.

 

Ramsey Winch! Thats what I have always used! Works and never failed. Made here in tulsa too!

 

I PM'd you

 

A winch is a place where you shouldn't penny pinch. When you need it there is no replacement. It has the potential to save your life. I'd buy a used Warn before I bought any other brand new.

 

Ramsey is an great winch as well as someone previously stated. You won't have any trouble with one. The Ramsey winches are alittle pricey, but not quite as high as the warns.