Winch, Longs, or Hi-Steer

[Ducks]

Just did my taxes and I'm getting a refund. Should I get a Warn M8000 winch ($510), Longfields 30-spline chomoly axles ($665), or 4x4 labs hi-steer ($550)?

I have recently bought but not yet installed a used 5" Alcan lift, 35x12.5r15 tires, ARB winch bumper, sliders, rear bumper with tire carrier & gas can holders. I have an Aussie Locker installed in the rear. Thinking about installing an Aussie in the front.

Hi-Steer: The PO of the springs says he had some bump steer.
Longs: I don't know how to change a birfield (yet).
Winch: With a locker(s), it seems like I could really get myself stuck. I also work 4x10s so most of my time going out will probably be by myself in the middle of the week.

:beer: Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Paul Piazza]

I voted for the longs. I have a winch and rarely use it. I use it more to extract other people than myself. Not to mention if you wheel your bound to have a buddy with you

At least with the longs you will have piece of mind that your birfs are stronger.

 

[RoundOut]

:beer: Thanks for any thoughts.

Here's a thought... I won't be much help answering your question, but noticed your screen name "Ducks" and your amateur radio call sign, "K7DUX".


Nice! :clapsmile


.

 

[Skylinerider]

Winch. If your out there by yourself it's the best thing you can have to get yourself out.

 

[Ducks]

Here's a thought... I won't be much help answering your question, but noticed your screen name "Ducks" and your amateur radio call sign, "K7DUX".


Nice! :clapsmile


.

:jumping: :elkgrin: Yeah, I was pretty pleased with myself when it worked out. unk03:

 

[BigAl]

You should buy all three:elkgrin: but if you are driving on the road, I'd square away the steering

 

[DaveInDenver]

From your description I had a tough time voting. All 3 have definitely valid uses. I ultimately voted hi-steer because I am assuming that you are not a hard core wheeler (yet). With 35" tires and all the extra armor, it is possible that you will grenade a Birf eventually. But the risk is fairly low until you start 'wheeling harder and mostly it's not gonna happen going straight ahead on low and medium difficultly trails. So you will probably eventually want them, but in the mean time carrying a spare stock one is more than sufficient. Winch, I don't have one and there are ways around this. Travel with someone else, use a High Lift, come-a-long, etc. So it's not critical. I would agree that at 5" lift and 35" tires that you are a good candidate for hi-steer. It's definitely a safer system. On an OME-level lifted truck, I think it's not quite as important, but I think in your case that is definitely the best investment at this point.

 

[Mike S]

Install the gear you have, then decide what else you need? Why not?

M

 

[spressomon]

Do you think the M8000 is enough winch for a rig that weighs in excess of 3-tons?

 

[CYi5]

I would say hi-steer, depending on how bad it is. That has the potential to be a problem on as well as offroad and is a possible safety concern. I'm sure the 60 is way more stable than my samurai, but before I redid the steering on that thing, it was a constant battle..

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

For sure the Hi-Steer. Get things squared away for safe travel to and from your destinations first. Bad bump steer can lead to total loss of control of the vehicle... definitely no bueno.

 

[Ducks]

Do you think the M8000 is enough winch for a rig that weighs in excess of 3-tons?

I have seen it suggested as the minimum for the 60. Probably need more. 12,000lb is probably too much, I guess the 9,500 lbs are about right. What do you think? I also figured having a winch when you needed it is better than not having one. Don't plan on bogging in deep clay mud yet. More like trying to get out of ditch I fell into or snow that was too deep. I want to be able to go by myself because it seems hard to hook up with people in the middle of the week. Plus the extended expedition type trips will probably also be by myself.

 

[DaveInDenver]

No argument, a winch is handy. I would still suggest steering, winch, Longfields as the priority. Hate to have to use the winch to extract yourself from a ditch because the steering failed, eh? I don't think an M12000 is too much winch for a built FJ60 at all. I'd bet all armored and loaded you will be 6,500 lbs easily and an M8000 will not be happy if you are bogged in mud or snow. The FJ60 has the space for one, too. If it was my Cruiser I would go either with the M12000 or the 8274.

 

[chet]

I didn't vote because I say none! until you have the lift in! You need to measure the height difference from the pitman to the upper knuckle (where the histeer attaches) you may be able to get away with a drop pitman.

but if everything works out distance wise I'd say hi steer first. there is nothing more annoying than bumpsteer on a rutted dirt road at speed!

 

[spressomon]

I have seen it suggested as the minimum for the 60. Probably need more. 12,000lb is probably too much, I guess the 9,500 lbs are about right. What do you think? I also figured having a winch when you needed it is better than not having one. Don't plan on bogging in deep clay mud yet. More like trying to get out of ditch I fell into or snow that was too deep. I want to be able to go by myself because it seems hard to hook up with people in the middle of the week. Plus the extended expedition type trips will probably also be by myself.

I have the 9.5xp simply because that is all I could stuff into my TJM bumper. A Warn rep told me the 9.5xp is very conservatively rated. Having said that I would have opted for the 12000 if I had the space. Ok...part 2: I have used the winch 3-times: Once to tug a friend of mines Rubicon from a high centered situation; once to move a large downed pine tree crossing a trail we were traveling on and once to pull myself up a waterfall area, while playing around, where I didn't have traction.

I am glad I have it for sure. Like all recovery gear you buy it in hopes you'll never have to use it. I too travel into some very remote areas and felt the winch shored up my chances of providing self recovery. Getting a winch for off-road travelers (vs rock crawling/HD trail use) is a very personal decision for each of us. Some would not wince at traveling into remote areas by themselves without a winch...

You can also use a HiLift jack as an emergency winch (among other uses)...that might be an option for you to save some cash on something like a winch that typically isn't used all that often...