but the cost for a good unit is pretty high. I have the Mopar winch ready bumper. I would like to have a winch before hurricane season. A few questions: has anyone purchased an off brand and had success, how about rebuilding a used one, also, can steel cable be substituted with synthetic line on any winch? Thanks.

 

yes yes and yes

I have a T-maxx 9000 and have had no problems with it at all, and it is on my "trail rig"I would have no problems with buying another with the amount they cost.

I have rebuilt a X9 this month and is realatively easy

yes sythetic line can be used instead of steel but it would be in your best intrest to learn of the care and use of BOTH types of lines before having them as each is unique and will make your line last longer.

It all depends on how much you use one, how much cash you have and how fast you want it to be.
remember: a slow winch is still faster than a fast come-a-long

 

Thanks for this good info. I could have used a winch after hurricane Wilma for myself and neighbors. I don't want to be caught without one however, there is a chance that it could sit there for a year or more with no use. I just want to be ready. Thats why I thought a synthetic line might be more practicle.

 

I'm going to use a Tabor 9K put out by Warn. Check here http://warn.com/truck/winches/value_series.shtml on Warn's site for info.