I had my lp8500 for 3 months and it failed the first time that I tried to use it. It was never submerged, superwinch told me that they had a problem with rain water leaking into the motor sure enough they were correct, it was a solid piece of rust. I replaced it with a smittybilt comp10, it has been underwater a few times and still works GREAT

 

The free spool was an issue on quite a few XRC-8 models. Contact Smittybilt Customer Service..... ask for Ray.... he'll send the parts you need to fix it

 

Nice! Post up about what you think of it, maybe post up some pics. I was real close to pulling the trigger on the TWC12 with the Air Compressor. It's the same sort idea as the Warn Powerplant, but at about half the price. And it comes with everything you need for onboard air and a 12,000 lb winch that is about as waterproof as a winch can get. He gives you a 3 year warranty too I think. I know he includes at least a one year, can't remember if its 1 or 3. Total cost is $700 CDN, which is roughly $660 American dollars and shipping is like $120 CDN. You can add synth line too. I think I priced it out with 100' of 5/16 synth delivered to me for $880 or so. I am still considering whether to go with this winch. It's got a lot of great feedback online, the only thing stopping me is the money part of the equation. Isn't that always the way?

 

Warn's paperwork says to take any winch to be serviced if it's been submerged. Seems like overkill, but I guess that's how they roll.

 

Awesome!! Thanks man, I appreciate the help!

 

Rugged Ridge's Winch paperwork also states that it is to be serviced after every sumbmersion in water. Sounds like overkill too, but maybe they mean only muddy water?