what is a good size winch for a 2 door x? don't have a lift (yet), don't do any extreme wheelin', but want to get the right size winch... any suggestions??

 

I don't have an expensive winch - but they are all rating similar. I have a Smittybilt XRC10 winch (10,000 pound) - the reason I went with this over the 8,000lb is that on the fourth rotation of cable it is rated at a much lesser rating. Due to the cable wrapping upon itself it has a lesser ability to pull - my 10,000lb winch is rated at 10,000 for the first layer (80-100 ft of cable out of winch drum) - it is rated near 7,000lb on the fourth layer (0-20 ft of cable out of winch drum).

XRC10 (10,000LB Winch Rating)
RATED LINE PULL PER LAYER Lbs 10000(1st) 8633(2nd) 7716(3rd) 7089(4th)

XRC8 (8,000LB Winch Rating)
RATED LINE PULL PER LAYER Lbs 8000(1st) 6600(2nd) 5700(3rd) 5000(4th)

In reality - an 8,000LB winch is only as reliable as it's fourth layer of pull - unless you factor in snatch blocks, etc.

A Wrangler X 2DR has a weight of 3,800 (approx) - this is without it being stuck in mud or on top of rock where the actual pull is going to be much greater. If you are going to wheel with other Jeeps or 4x4's you will want more pulling power - especially once you factor in gear, people, etc. that are in the jeep!

All winches are rated the same - and the vary GREATLY by Manufacturer....

Good Luck!

 

Me too. That winch is a one tough puppy, and perfect for people on a short budget

 

I too agree - while I have the XRC10 - the XRC8 is a nice winch and I have seen it in use. The reason I went with the XRC10 is that it is faster, has the higher rate and the main reason is that it was only $40 more at the time through 4 Wheel Parts and Winch Depot (Same Company).

Either way, I have heard of very little problems with this make other than some issues with rust on the early model XRC8 and ALL XRC10 winches - I believe they went to a black allen screw on the XRC8 which resolved the rust issue.

 

A minimum should be at least 1 1/2 times the weight of your vehicle, for a single line pull. Good luck

 

X3 on the XRC 8 from Smittybilt. I've had a few chances to use it on my own Jeep. Carring a winch block is a good idea. Don't forget the tree strap.

 

Warn M8000.

 

You should be fine with an 8000lb winch on your two door. While what everyone above has stated is correct, especialy about the rated line pull per wrap, most "stucks" only take a few hundred pounds of force to get you out. If you get stuck beyond that then you really should be using blocks anyway. My advice is get the best winch you can afford (doesnt have to be much) as this will be a tool to serve you for many years to come.

 

I opted to get the PowerPlant HP which is a 9500 lb winch. I didn't really need the 12k.

 

i have a warn m8000 on my 4 door and over the last month i have used it a dozen or so times on another 4-door(in sand) and on a 2 door(in mud).It has worked great Plus you can get a Brand new warn m8000 for 516.00 + 9.95 shipping. I think this would be enough winch for you.

(edit) looks like over the last few weeks the price went up to 569.99 where i bought mine