I am between rcv front axle shafts, rear bumper and front winch(already have an or-fab front stinger) looking at a few rear bumpers, and smittybilt winch. or just going all out and buying a warn power plant. Also contemplating upgrading my rear drive shaft, and then some other things. or doing river raider skid plate system. Any input is appreciated.

 

Buddy of mines boss is a money bag and has a warm powerplant of front of jk and a smitty winch on back. The warn has left him stranded 4 times the smitty never once so that's mine 2 cents about that.

 

Thank you for the input. I am strongly considering the smitty. I am not seeing many if any complaints on the smitty.

thank you sir

 

In all honesty I would save your money for a little longer and do some more research and ask yourself a few questions about what youre looking at buying. Do you really need a Powerplant? There are many other options. At this point do you really need a winch? Is there something else you would need more over the other? I personally wouldnt drop money on RCV's, chromos will do fine and just make sure youre not at full steer when crawling or take it easy if you are. Save your money, look over your rig and find out what you could really use. If nothing, then let that money cool down and wait until you need it.

 

Let me make certain I understand this: The Warn has "left him stranded" by breaking? Or the Warn has been unable to pull him over terrain that was just too much for his rig for some reason--a poor decision on line--while the Smittybilt has successfully pulled him back over terrain he already proved he could pass?

My Warn did fail me one time. I was pulling a tree off of a cliff to prevent anyone from being under it should it fall, and the Warn would spool out, but not in. Turned out to be a bad electronics box on the Warn, caused by river fording many times. Warn sent me the troubleshooting procedure, which isolated the failed part, then had the part to sell me--five years after buying the winch from them. Two weeks ago I noticed that the air filter for the compressor had fallen off and become lost. Contacted Warn and they sent me a new one--for free. You use something well for six years like I have, you've got to expect an occasional bit of breakage. You buy a quality product from a quality company, and you can expect service and parts when you need them.







As for OP: What you buy should depend on what you do with your Jeep. But, a winch is a much higher priority for many of us than any of the other things you listed. It also looks cooler when cruising the boulevards, LOL. Yes, you may be able to depend on your buddy to pull you out. Then, again, maybe you travel the kinds of trails I do where sometimes getting a buddy into position to help you out is way more difficult than just having the proper gear yourself.

Skip to 11:46 to see an example of what I mean--he was lead vehicle when he started sliding off of the mountainside ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFjr3hSzEu4

 

Nice pics and what a wonderful video! That was some pretty unbelievable scenery. I would love to make a trip through Colorado, so beautiful there! Thanks for sharing Mark!! Good job everyone!!

 

Great video! Can't wait to make it up there sometime.

 

Winches are very opinionated. Figure out how much you will need it and let that decide on what you need and what to spend on one. I have a superwinch talon now, I've had warn in the past and I would choose superwinch over warn again very satisfied

 

Make a list & just wait for something to go on sale. That's what I always do. Black Friday deals will be here in no time. Good luck

 

I'd look at engo winches as well, I have several buddies that have been beating on the. For a few years with a lot of pulls no issues....
Rcv axles bring a huge peace of mind for sure....

Its easier to come up with less money than more and i'm always function over form...build it tough then work on looks....
So buy the priciest part when yo got the cash and the smaller stuff can be had quicker...later...

I'd look to front axles and a engo winch....

I'm a dealer as well for rcv ....