While I hear about how good the Warn's are, and I do like the fact that they are made in the USA, I bought a smitybilt XRC10. It is a 10,000# winch for ~$369.00. It appears to be a great value for a starter winch. It pulls pretty good and I have read some good things from some of the owners of Smittybilts.

Make no mistake, the Warn is likely a better winch, with a better warranty, but I could not get my head around paying near 3x the amount for a starter winch that will tug 10,000#.

I took the money I saved and purchased the ARB Recovery kit from northridge4x4.com. (WOL's write up here: http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-new/je...ear-essentials)

 

If I had the money I might have bought a Warn. But, a winch was the last big purchase on a long list of goodies so the money was gone.
I bought the Smittybuilt XRC8 for $269.99 and it's workin just fine for me.

 

I like the Patriot.

 

a couple of my friends have an atlas winch...there decently priced but i dont know too much about them

 

x2...I'm actually very impressed by the newly improved XRC8. I paid the same as you with $9.99 shipping it was a steal.

 

I gotta say Warn. I've had them all the time (previous Jeeps too) and they have always performed. I'm the guy that is constantly pulling people out (myself a few times too)...sometimes they have winches!! Nothing is worse than a winch not working when you want it to...Warn is money well spent...in my book.

 

I have a superwinch 9,000lb and it works good so far. Got it for 599 came with a snatch block.

 

I am leaning towards a Superwinch EPI 9. I like the better warranty and the price is good, too. I have heard good things about them for some time. I am also going to look into T-Max Outback series winch, but I have not heard too much about those. The only one I have ever seen on a rig was Doojers. I would probably only get a Warn if it was used and at a decent price. The new ones are a little pricey, except the 8000. The only problem is IMHO, the 8000 is not enough winch for a loaded up Unlimited. I am also not crazy about the non integrated solenoid. I am willing to overlook it on the T-Max because of the added pulling capacity and durability of the solenoid.

Of Course, if the right deal came along, my whole decision process could alter!

 

I agree I bought a Warn x8000i of recycler for 250 about 10 years ago and it still runs fine! Otherwise I would of bought a Smitty as a starter.

 

i think i'm just just going to go with a Smithy for starters. and up grade to the rope in stead of the cable. the weight and the safty is just worth the upgrade.