Talk to me about winches

Have a c4 low pro bumper ordered. Need a winch. 10,000lbs synthetic rope. What are you running and what are your recommendations?

 

Smittybilt X20. Been using them for awhile, before on my Tacoma now on my T4R. Waterproof, reasonably priced, remote control, good warranty. Company has been around for sometime.

 

You don't need a 10k winch. An 8k winch will work just fine, if you're ever in doubt, use a snatch block. You can double your winch power at the cost of halfing your winching speed. So an 8k winch can pull 16k, just half as slow. I wouldn't use a winch more than you need since the 4R only weighs about 4600 lbs.

 

Good info. Thank you.

 

I’m investing in something reliable and that I can count on so warn will probably be my go to. The extra coin will pay for itself for sure. I’m planning a long trip in the mountains of Utah for March. Getting the rig ready.

 

Respectfully. Recommendations by all winch manufacturers recommended a winch double the weight of the vehicle. When you use your winch you are not using it to lift the vehicle, you are using it because you are stuck! Depending on the type of terrain you are on, you may be pulling yourself out of mud, or deep sand and the more pulling power the better, it will put less strain on the winch.
Agree that a snatch block is always a good idea to have available when you have enough line available to use. But if you don’t have the ability to double the line because your anchor is far away, you need the power. I was always taught it’s better to have more than you need, than need and not have.
IMHO.

 

Yep, I installed a X20 winch with a 17k rating, people love to tell me its overkill but It fit and it didn't cost much more. Just means it can do the same work with less stress on motor. You think about it by the time I added front and rear bumpers, roof rack, winch, and roof top tent and all the gear into the back Im probably pushing more like 6k weight vehicle so i don't think its that overkill. The point is get the biggest winch you can fit in your bumper. I got the addicted offroad bumper, the 17k winch fit by simply drilling 4 new mountin holes back 2 inches. the bolt pattern was actually the same as the 10k winch, I just had to move the holes back 2 inches.

 

I have a Smittybilt X20 10,000 with syn line. Works just fine every time I have used it.

 

Most common knowledge on winch capacity is to have a winch that's rated for 1&1/2 times the gross weight of the vehicle. If your rig weighs 6000 pounds fully loaded then you need a 9,000 pound winch. A 9500# winch is a common accessory for many front steel bumpers on 4Runners.
Adding a chock block to the winch line doubles the pulling power. If your anchor point is too far away to double the distance by running the winch line to a chock block at the anchor point and back to the vehicle then use a tow strap and shackles at the anchor and/or at the bumper to winch line to extend the length. Many of the 3" tow straps have more capacity than the winch or than the pull requires. It's not a dynamic pull so you don't need an expensive kinetic strap. Carry several less expensive tow straps and tree savers of various lengths for setting anchor points and adding length to winch lines.

 

Yea I am aware of the specs for calculating what winch you need, but if a bigger one fits and it's only $100 difference it can't hurt to go with the bigger winch

 

Price is one consideration. Weight is another. Air flow and how much room it takes up in front of the radiator is important in the So Cal deserts? Also the total amperage draw on the battery is another factor. Of course, you would use the winch with the engine running but power drain may be significant on a larger winch. Jimmy Carter once said, "Less is more".
I like the Warn winches. They have a small red 8000 pound rock crawling winch that fits my needs.

 

I think the dual Odyssey batteries will handle it fine. And this bumper is alot more open to airflow that a lot of the bumpers on the market. I was hesitant to buy a lot of other popular bumpers that seemed to close up the whole front end which made me wonder about airflow

 

Hi David,
The Addicted Offroad bumper looks good. It's very open in the center and puts the winch way out front of the radiator. I like the Shrockworks bumper too.
Dave in So Cal

 

Wait until the next Ebay discount code and use that for a Smitty X20 10k, mine was $470 shipped

 

seems like lots of people using the smittybilt. for the money you can't go wrong i guess. have you had any issues with it?

 

Even the 12k winch at Harbor freight for $299 gets good reviews. Everybody will have an opinion about that though lol I had one of those on my F150 a few years ago and it did its job fine, I didn't use it alot but never had any issues

 

Everything in the Harbor Freight store is made in China. Don't bother looking for parts or service for those products. You won't find it.
Winches are something that should last for many years. You may need a new cable or rope, replacement parts or service occasionally, but it should be repairable. Before buying a winch check the manufacturer's website to see where the service center may be and if they sell parts. Call the manufacturer if you need to verify service.
The good thing about Warn winches is the company is located in Oregon, USA. If you need service or parts for any of their winches you'll be able to get them.
A cheap winch that costs half the price but only lasts half as long is not a bargain. I'd much rather buy one American tool that lasts than two Chinese products.

 

Thanks for your insights Mike.
That's not surprising to hear. So are Fords and Chevy's. The parts are sourced from all over the planet.
Where is Smittybilt made?
I would rather deal with Warn for parts or service than try to find parts for the tools sold at Harbor Freight. Chinese products are cheaper until you try to get them fixed.

 

OP, I'm running a Warn VR8 ($517) on a SDHQ hidden mount. I think an 8k winch is more than adequate for the 4R.

The VR series are Chinese made but I've been pleased with the quality, and they all come with Warn's same warranty. For my decidedly infrequent use a lower end winch is more than adequate. My VR pulls strong and feels "quality".

If you're dead set on a 10k synthetic and cost is an issue then the VR10S is a good choice.

I can't really comment on higher end 10k winches as I didn't research them before buying, due to budget issues.

 

Thanks. I went with the warn 10k lb xeon synthetic. Should be here end of the week. C4 bumper is off to powdercoat