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Modified JK TechTech related bulletin board forum regarding subjects such as suspension, tires & wheels, steering, bumpers, skid plates, drive train, cages, on-board air and other useful modifications that will help improve the performance and protection of your Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) on the trail.
PLEASE DO NOT START SHOW & TELL TYPE THREADS IN THIS FORUM
I've had an Engo 12k for 5 or so years, it's worked when I needed it on the trails, and pulled down 3 trees on my property. It's loud and slow but hasn't failed yet.
Of all the winches in our regular group I'm the only one that's really been in the position where it's been needed to be used and my engo xr10 has been awesome. Loud, slow and aweful finish(needs to be torn down and resprayed) bit it has never not worked for me both around the home and on the trail ??♂
I've had my Warn VR-10,000 (steel cable) for a little over 5 years now. Still going strong, no issues, even with it's more recent infrequent use. Super happy with it.
I think there's more to a winch than a name. I've had cheap ones time and time again, and I actually still have one- but it works. The owner's manual for these winches note that you should be doing a cycle once a month to keep things from sticking...which is where my first winch failed. Solenoid stuck in the closed position and I couldn't get the clutch to disengage. I was able to cut power just in time before it tried to suck the hook through the fairlead. Second winch lived a long and prosperous life even after I sold it with a bumper. Current winch is still doing well but I try to ensure that I keep it fairly dry (no scuba diving with the jeep) and run it once a month or close to.
It comes down to you though. What are you comfortable running? Do you plan to add a snatch block to the system so you can decrease the load on the winch and make it have an easy life? Recall that your 10k lb winches pull that when all but the last handful of wraps are still on the drum.
Since made in China winches seem to be open game in this discussion.
Harbor Freight has a new Apex 12K winch that seems pretty bad ass. The regular price is $799 but there is a regular HF coupon listing it for $599.
However, if you can wait for them to have a sidewalk sale, they will put that winch on sale for $599 without a coupon and then you can still apply their regular 20% off coupon on top of that and get it for $480. I would definitely consider it for the $480 price tag. It also includes synthetic line, aluminum fairlead, wireless remote and a stout hook. As well, it's water and dust proof.
Here's what I observed for the lowest price I've seen when they last had a sidewalk sale during Black Friday week. That's applying the 20% off to the $599 sale price. https://www.harborfreight.com/apex-s...nch-56385.html
Buy the steel cable 12,000 badlands winch from HF. I’ve had mine for years and I’ve beat it up. It works flawlessly every time I use it. It only cost me $289 and at that price you can get the unlimited warranty which covers it for any issue (manufacture or user error).
My friend and I had identical 2019 JLURs. He had the $2000 Warn and I had the $300 HF. Never was there a time where I needed his because mine couldn’t do the job. I never took care of the cable, I never covered it, and only one strand of the cable ever frayed. It’s a beast! Badland winch from HF
I have a Badlands 9000 that I retrofitted with synthetic line. It's now about 4 years old and the winch itself hasn't ever failed me. I have had the solenoid box leak but that may have been self induced.
My only issue with it is it's slow. It's so slow snails give me the finger when winching, but it's been solid.
When it finally dies, I'll probably go with a Warn, but the Smitty X20's have a pretty impressive record around here and have good line speed.
