Winch

[Lud]

It's a Superwinch Epi 9.0 (9000lb) winch. It's freaking heavy at about 85 lbs. I got it from rokmen. Came with a snatch block and roller fairlead. Has a lifetime warranty with a heavy duty sealed solenoid, 125 ft of steel cable, and a series wound motor.

I did a lot of reasearch and it came down to these two winches. The Warns are made in Oregon and the Superwinch is made in Conneticuit. I decided to go with some different. The line speed 47ft/min (unloaded) is second only to the 9.5ti Warn and the Warn 8274. My winch new cost 600 shipped the other two are over a grand new. The amp draw at any load is lower than any other winch out there and its the only winch with an external load holding brake which helps with heat if I ever go to synthetic line.

Here's what the solenoids can stand up to.


Here was an interesting article I came across.
http://www.moabjeeper.com/articles/general/listing.cfm?articleID=353


Still waiting on the winch plate I got off ebay. Can't wait to try it out.

[iaccocca]

Looks like you gotta a good deal; snatch block, roller fairlead and all.

I didn't know that anyone, but Warn, was making them in the U.S. anymore.

[Lud]

Just the 9000, and 12000 pound series I believe for Superwinch. There's a 8500LP that's made outside the US.

[tenikiwon]

Let us know what you think. Currently My vote for my next one is Warn

[White trash]

Well its certainly better than nothing thats for sure.

[tenikiwon]

I was just thinking of putting handles on the Zuk so if I get stuck a few guys can lift it out of where I'm stuck!

[SPR]

An external brake is good. That is my bigest bitch that I have about my cheap Warn M8000.

[Lud]

I was ready to buy the M8000 until you told me about the brake on yours (or lack of) when you were pulling Tenikiwon's rig up that hill in Liberty with yours. I found out only the Warn XP series, 9.5ti, 8274, and up have the brake your were describing while I couldn't find whether the lower end Warn M8 series had it.

That coupled with the fact the M8000 costs the same as the 9000 lb Superwinch steered me in that direction. We'll see how it goes.

[TJDave]

Well its certainly better than nothing thats for sure.

I resemble that remark. Nothing SUX. Lud, what kind of mounting plate are you going with??

[Lud]

The kind you buy off Ebay for 70 bucks shipped. It seems like a good design and from calling up the guy he seems to know what he's talking about. It's a direct bolt on for the stock TJ bumper and fits the standard winch pattern. Should be here tomorrow actually.

[Lud]

Got the winch plate today. Sucks I won't be able to work on it until my day off on Friday.

[Lud]

With Andy's help (Tenikiwon) we got the winch installed on Friday. Other than a snapped bolt head it was mostly without incident. (I put a little too much torque on bolts sometimes)

The winch does have a fast line speed and it was fun trying it out on Andy's F250.

The only thing I don't like is the fact that there are 2 sections of the brand new cable that had kinks in them when I unwound the winch for the first time. Gonna call up Rokmen on Monday and see what's up with this, I don't think it will affect the integrity of the line but I'm gonna do something about it.

[Lud]

Called up superwinch, they sent me another brand new 125ft cable! I get to keep the old one as I spare I guess, so I'll cut out the bad spots as Tenikiwon suggested and see whats left.

Here's a pic with it mounted:

[Lurch]

Looking good. Now go out and put it to use

[iaccocca]

Depending on the lengths of the sections, you might want to make your self an extension... you know for when the next tree is 135' away.

Good deal!

[TJDave]

Lud, or any TJ/YJ guys, Did you have any issues with the front winch mounting bolts and your bumper?? My Smitty winch and Roughcountry plate arrived and I could not mount it because my homemade stubby bumper was tweaked and the flat plate would not mount over the bumper right. So I ordered a Smitty el cheapo rock bumper so I would have something straight to work with. Now that it is finally here, the front winch mounting bolts under the plate, of course, won't let the plate sit flat on the bumper. Smitty tech says I have to drill holes in the bumper to clear the bolt heads. (even with their cheap flat plate) I should of bought a raised winch plate. To make a long post short, I don't have a bit or drill motor large enough since my shop fire. I would gladly buy beer for anyone who wants to drill on my new bumper. 1/2" holes are already done, just need them bigger!! Thanx Dave.

[iaccocca]

I had to buy a 1/2" drill to do my lift. I do not know if that is big enough to help you out. I'll gladly bring it by if it will. What size holes do you need to drill? I'm trying to get my head around why you need to drill on your new bumper. I mounted my winch with my stock bumper. For a raised mount, maybe just some washers under the mount. Let me know if I can help.

[Lurch]

If you want to stop by and help on the race truck tonight I'm sure we can make those holes big enough

[TJDave]

Thanx Lee, 1/2" won't do it. I have a 1/2" bit (it's the biggest one that will fit in my drill!). I already drilled the 1/2" holes, but they need to be bigger so the bolt heads under the winch plate will drop into them and the plate will fit flat on top of the bumper (only the two front winch bolts). I have to 2 more 1/2" holes for my off road lights to mount on too. No wonder it was only $79.00!! Trying to save $$ for a rear axle upgrade by spring.

[Jafo]

And as far as winch plate goes, harbor frieght has them for the cheap. Thats whats on my heep, and my warn lined up no problemo.

[TJDave]

Thanx guys, Tim had a uni-bit that reamed out the holes nicely and now the plate drops flush with the bumper. Once again, thank-you for the help Tim!

[Lurch]

Any time

[iaccocca]

Thanx guys, Tim had a uni-bit that reamed out the holes nicely and now the plate drops flush with the bumper. Once again, thank-you for the help Tim!

So is the winch on?

[TJDave]

So is the winch on?

Are you as excited as me! The sun popped out so I'm going out right now to slap it on.

[iaccocca]