PSA: good deal on Engo E9000 winch w/ synthetic line

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olsen_karl

Adventurer
I've been looking at winches casually for a few weeks, since I got an aftermarket bumper that accepts a winch. I wanted to keep the weight low, so was looking at synthetic rope -- but the cost is usually pretty high.

Engo has decent reviews, esp. for the low cost. This vendor has been active on a bunch of Jeep forums (found via google); operates under a couple different storefront names. I don't have any affiliation with the vendor, just passing on what looks like a great deal.
http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/engo_winch_e9000s.html

The 9000# Engo with hawse fairlead & synthetic rope is now listed at their website at $399, free shipping, no tax. I had bookmarked their website, and this is about a $40 price drop. Even better -- call in to order and it's $358. There's a coupon code on the site for $40 off $400 (banner display on website), so I guess they're just applying that when you call. Claimed weight for everything, mounted, is just over 60#. I ordered one yesterday; hopefully all the positive reviews of both the vendor & Engo turn out to be accurate.

I think the 9000# Engo winch is the same as the Smittybilt, Harbor Freight, and various other low-end/low-cost winches -- the main difference seems to be that Engo offers a long warranty. (Hope they stay in business to back up that warranty!) I don't plan on regular use of the winch, so it's hard to justify the additional cost for a Warn, Ramsey, Superwinch, etc., especially with the synthetic rope.
 
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ebg18t

Adventurer
i ran one of these on my last truck. worked very well. Just a tad louder and slower than some of the more expensive options. But it never let me down. great price.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Explorer
I Leak Oil said:
I just wouldn't be comfortable with it. A quality synthetic line alone goes for close to that.
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Ditto that. I'm at the point in my life where I don't want to a** around with cheap (price and usually quality) gear. I still hunt out the very best deal I can but I make sure the product is quality.
 
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olsen_karl

Adventurer
I hear you on the quality issue -- if I either planned on using a winch more, or was willing to spend the additional $, I'd go for a Warn again. I had a XD9000i on my XJ Cherokee, years ago, and the times I needed it were times that I was very glad to have it. However, I only used it a few times over several years.

For me, for something I'm not going to use often, I'm not willing to spend another $400-500 for the name brand winch. I may be looking back at this thread in a year with a burnt-out winch, wishing I had made a different choice, but I guess I'll find out. There are some pretty good reviews out there on the Engo products (not just that silly Four Wheeler test), so I'll give it a shot.
 
Kmrtnsn

Kmrtnsn

Explorer
I just ordered the Engo E10000 with the synthetic line from Derran at RockRidge 4x4 on Friday at a similar discount. Can't wait to get it installed next weekend.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Explorer
Whats the solenoid arrangement on the Engo winches? My "need" for a single sealed contactor took a lot of the lower winches out of the running for me. By the time I spent the $100 to replace the 4-pack of solenoids with a single sealed contractor it was better to just get a winch that came with it.
 
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ebg18t

Adventurer
fishEH said:
Ditto that. I'm at the point in my life where I don't want to a** around with cheap (price and usually quality) gear. I still hunt out the very best deal I can but I make sure the product is quality.
Click to expand...

I Leak Oil said:
I just wouldn't be comfortable with it. A quality synthetic line alone goes for close to that.
Click to expand...

I was also skeptical. But i bought anyways. I used it quite abit and never had any issues. It was slower and louder than my current TJM, but for the price of an Engo for limited use i would have no problems using one again. Alot of people talk bad about them, but i find most people saying stuff have no hands on experience with them. Please don't take my comment the wrong way as i say the same thing about Smittybuilt. I won't buy nor trust their products.

In my hands on experience the Engo winch held up well. And if you are on a budget it is a decent option.
 
Kmrtnsn

Kmrtnsn

Explorer
fishEH said:
Whats the solenoid arrangement on the Engo winches? My "need" for a single sealed contactor took a lot of the lower winches out of the running for me. By the time I spent the $100 to replace the 4-pack of solenoids with a single sealed contractor it was better to just get a winch that came with it.
Click to expand...

Engo uses a dual solenoid arrangement, there are a ton of pics online of the interior of the control box.
 
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olsen_karl

Adventurer
fireball said:
Been eyeing up the engo as well. Did everything work out with your order?
Click to expand...

The winch arrived promptly. Been installing it slowly -- had to mess around with rigging a license plate bracket first, and sorting out where & how I want to mount the solenoid box.

Based on internet reviews, I checked (and tightened) a bunch of hardware on the winch, which was loose. I opened the solenoid box, and tightened down the controller plug (loose), and removed the stock mounting brackets (not going to use them) -- one of the bolts had fallen off the solenoid bracket during shipping too. All the connections on the solenoids were tight. Several of the stickers on the winch & on the solenoid box were crooked. Overall, somewhat sloppy finish work.

I'm either going to mount the solenoid box under the hood, or off to one side inside my bumper -- either of which will require longer cables. So it'll be another week or three before everything is fully installed.
 
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wanabxtrm

Observer
I had come to a similar concensus a few months ago and finally bought one as a bday present to myself. Yet to receive it so we'll see how it all turns out.

I'll be curious to hear your final results once said and done.
 
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