What's the deal with the 8000, 9500, 10,000 and 12,000 pound winches? Which one do I really need for the jeep?

 

I'm curious about this too. I have a 8000lb winch from a previous rig that I will be installing as soon as my bumper comes in next week. I have been wondering if this will have enough power to pull my 4 door if I was stuck in some deep mud.

 

Is this a joke?! Just kidding.

Short answer, any of those listed will do.

I have a two door with an 8000 and some snatch blocks (doubles the pulling capacity). A few people with JKU's have 8k's also. Using a snatch slows your line speed but if it gets you out that's not really an issue is it? Getting a bigger winch, you'd be able to pull a lot more (naturally) while also drawing less power from your battery, so I've read here in the forum. If you don't do hardcore wheeling through treacherous swamp or pulling you up a jungle mountain is line speed or power draw much of an issue? Probably not. 8k and a snatch block or two should do just fine. If you want piece of mind go with a 9.5k or 10k.

 

yup, 8000 should be just fine. I got a 9500 powerplant cuz I play with pick ups that are a lot heavier than me. But 8000 should be plenty. Like stated the use of a snatch block is a good idea for heavy pulls or pulls that don't allow a lot of line usage.

 

Rule of thumb is to have a winch rated at 1.5 times your max loaded weight.

 

I use a warn 9,000lb on my 4dr got it from a buddy cheap. Have used it to pull out 3/4 ton trucks stuck in snow. It works very well. I don't think you need a high priced winch for weekend wheeling but then again you might. One thing to look at is line speed. Hope some of this helps.

 

Oh yeah line speed too, do you want a relatively fast one or a slower one or one in between?