so while I'm deployed and have extra cash flow coming in I'm doing a complete remodel of my jk. new bruiser bumpers, metal cloak fenders, sportgate, and few other odds and ends. one of the things on the odds and end list is a new winch or at least switching my XRC8 over to synthetic to get rid of that ugly roller head (will not make my brand new bruiser bumper look good). so my current XRC8 has seen better days I bought the jeep with it on there already and the finish has faded, the control housing has faded and the stickers are all bubbled out like it may have got hot, and the clutch handle is got a rust spot starting on it, so should i same some money and switch to synthetic or just put that money towards a new winch? if I go to synthetic ill probably choose this 3/8" Fireline with Gusseted Tube Thimble - Orange and do factor 55 fairlead and a prolink. all that added up is roughly 480 without shipping or any mil discounts. The other road to take is just to get a new winch (i prefer, but hate to spend extra). if I go new I'm looking at the warn 87800 M8000-s (Amazon $880) or the superwinch tigershark 9500SR (Amazon $507). there is a 380 dollar difference, I know the M series is 100% USA made vs the TS is prob all China. id like some feedback of your opinions on all 3 options and what you would do and the reason why. I'm leaning hard toward the warn but I love the price of the TS

 

Interested to hear where this goes. I am winch shopping myself. Personally I am looking at the VR10S Warn ($769 Amazon) but have heard good things about superwinch as well. Quadratec also just came out with what looks like it is meant to compete with Smittybilt's XRC winch. Link to the Warn on amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MD173LQ/?coliid=I2SW2DJDHOU2RG&colid=Q53Y5T3CWSJP&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

for roughly 100 bucks more you can get the M-8000s and its 100% american made vs the VR series china made but now after i typed this i see you have a JKU soo the 10 would be better for you pulling power wise, idk if i would buy quadratech branded stuff again iv got their headlights and there ok i guess but they are getting replaced with KCs and i have a set of there 6 inch led lights in a spot pattern but there's not much spot to them there more of a flood so price wise there good but quality wise there just over Amazon in my opinion

 

somethng else to add on the tigershark details it says the brake is in the motor but i pulled the parts diagram up on it and the brake is defiantly in the drum and when you google search the part number it comes up to a brake that goes inside the drum so from what i saw and researched it appears that they are false advertising it as a synthetic ready winch just be cautious of that but the talon series seems on point but for that price could get a warn zeon

 

I do need 10K as I'm JKU and adding a bunch of armor (weight)... My problem with getting any expensive winch is doubt I will ever really use it enough to justify the extra $$$... I understand that buying cheap and then it breaks when your counting on it sucks which is why im thinking Middle of the road with the warn... Hard to justify $1000+ winch that will mostly just sit up front... Also, with a 7 year warranty thats hard to beat...

 

im sure there is nothing wrong with the VR i just rather put my money into a american made product, and as for shittybuilt im got a XRC8 and i mean it works just fine its just ugly the finish did not fair well at all and im OCD as hell about stuff and brand new bumper and led fog lights to be ruined by a ugly winch and big as roller head just cant do it and im not a fan of how the control box is right in the middle of the winch, thats why i like the M8000 it sets off to the side

 

I've got the M8000 on my Jeep and I'm incredibly pleased with it. It seemed like a reasonable price to pay for something made in the USA, and it has yet to let me down.

 

I have a Talon 12.5 and it is an absolute beast, and very fast spooling winch. Would definitely recommend.

 

do you have the syn rope or wire version? iv saw some stuff about they overheat and will burn a rope up