Smittybuilt Winch

[blazinid]

Anyone use the Smittybuilt winch? Saw the 8000 lbs is on sale for like 320 and that includes shipping.

 

[stick]

I've never personally used one, but I've heard good things about them as long as it's just for emergency use a few times per year. They're slow, but for the price, you can't expect too much. It's no Warn, but it's a good product for the price.

 

[granitex1]

I have one, have used it a few times and the new ones are faster than the old ones. They changed to a 5.5hp with a reduction like 170 ish. agreed it is no Warn but it is more than enough for what I need, which is really more of a short pull just to get unstuck, not the length of the cable up a hill.

 

[ZR2nit]

I have one attatched to my ZR2 pickup. I have the old XRC8 and its perfect for my needs. But like what was said before the newer one are faster. Overall for the money I say its worth it

 

[BriansFJ]

I've got one for emergency recovery, not hard-core rock crawling. Good enough for me.:safari-rig:

 

[blazinid]

thanks guys just what I wanted to here. On occasion I'll head up to the hills alone and would just like the added security of getting unstuck on my own. I'm still looking for a used Warn but if nothing comes up soon I think I'll go for the Smitty.

 

[Maximus Ram]

wow...they went to a 5.5 motor...shoot , if I didn't already have a MM PE8000
I would get one for 320 bucks.
Better safe than sorry....

 

[flyingwil]

We had one in the Xterra... Here was my short review... http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=107834&postcount=14

 

[FlyingWen]

You beat me to it Wil.
I thought it was a solid winch.

 

[go4aryd]

I have one installed, put in it last spring. I have used it to clear wind blown trees off the trail several times. It does run a bit slow, and the motor does seem to get pretty hot. I was originally going to put a synthetic line on it, but won't do that now. The winch has been solid thus far, however, no shorting, controls have held up well. I have been pleasantly suprised thus far. I bought it as a recovery backup (I'm nearly always solo), but haven't needed it for that yet - which is the way I like it

I did have the local shop install the control box over the winch (warn mounts I think), as the mfg provided mounting plate didn't fit in my bumper opening.

 

[StumpXJ]

I also have one and have made about 10-12 pulls with it. Anything from short pulls to get someone out of the mud to pulling my self up a very slick hill the entire length of the cable. Mine hasnt hickuped one bit. It is slow, but when you are truly in need of a winch, it gets the job done. I have replaced all of the bolts with stainless bolts since the stock ones rust after about 2-3 weeks. I also just installed synthetic winchline from winchline.com

I havent noticed any problems with heat on mine.

~James

 

[HanzoSteel]

You can get the Warn 8000 for a faily good price, Quadratec seems to have a good price on them around $570 but they have had them as low as $550 on occasions. If your looking for used ebay and craigslist are great, I've picked up a 8k for $400 on ebay you just need to keep looking.

 

[BKCowGod]

Pop open the Smittybilt and everything says T-Max on it.

I am definitely happy with mine so far.

 

[Rupe]

I think for the price you can't go wrong for everyday wheeling, if I was a rock crawler then I would probably go with a Warn.

 

[Bigjerm]

2 of my friends have them, 1 the old model, 1 the new. Both are working great and guys do crawl the rocks. The old models is so SLOW and made my old MM PE8000 look like a rocket. The new one is faster and seems to be holding up well to the beating it takes.