Only Warn's entry level VR series of winches are manufactured in China, the rest of their Jeep-size winches are manufactured in Oregon. Some parts are imported but the majority are definitely manufactured in Oregon.
Winching bumper/winch combo opinions, recomendations?
- Thread starter Tigerman
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Thank you Jerry,
It is good to know that some stuff is still manufactured here in US. Unfortunately my budget for the winch is in the VR range so I would end up enjoying the none US made one if I went that route
.
It is good to know that some stuff is still manufactured here in US. Unfortunately my budget for the winch is in the VR range so I would end up enjoying the none US made one if I went that route
.
Just buy a used US-made Warn, they're around and usually in good condition.Thank you Jerry,
It is good to know that some stuff is still manufactured here in US. Unfortunately my budget for the winch is in the VR range so I would end up enjoying the none US made one if I went that route
Did you have a particular model in mind Jerry? I don't see any good condition or good priced 8274s that were discussed above. The 8274 also is on the heavier side and taller side, so I don't actually like that very much.
I will say I've had nothing but good experiences with my Warn M8000. It has pulled my jeep over 4 foot tall rock ledges (pictured), pulled trees out of the ground in my yard, straightened my stock front bumper a couple of times, and has been screwed with by my high school friends when I wasn't around (long story). I don't have much experience with other winches, but from my experience with my M8000, I don't know how it could be much better. Works like it should every time I need it.
Yep, the 8274 is the top of the pack but anything made by warn and in good shape is going to be a good bet. Even better if you find something cheap with a minor problem like bad solinoids for instance. A new warn solinoid pack is expensive, a new aftermarket contactor is not. (for me I deal with runva Canada and get em for $79 Canadian to my door, so you should be able to find em even cheaper)Any of their 8,000 to 9,500 winches sizes would be fine. M8000, XD9000, 9.5xp, HS-9500i, etc.
If you can save a couple hundred bucks and put in a bit of time and a few parts you can come out ahead if you do your homework.
I've personally used:
8274
M10000
M8000
9500ti
9.5xp
Zeon 10000
Power plant
All are excellent and I have no reason to doubt that any other would be as well. Take your time and find the right price on the right used winch and it will serve you well for years. On a side note, hunt for the fastest no load line speed you can afford, it will help big time to keep the line tight during a recovery.
—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
Ethan Coderre
New Member
I have a Barricade Trail Force HD Front Bumper for $250. So far I love it, but I have only had it for a few months. It looks awesome and does its job. It came with d-rings that I painted to match the Jeep. Also came with tabs on the bull bar to add lights.
I have a Smittybilt XRC 9.5 with Synthetic Cable for $480 and it is amazing. The jeep weighs about 3,000 pounds so it is plenty to pull my car out of anything. I've pulled out friends who weigh probably closer to 6,000 lbs and as long as I am anchored so I don't slide it doesn't have a problem. You can get the exact same winch with steel cable for $300 and I imagine it will perform the exact same way
I have a Smittybilt XRC 9.5 with Synthetic Cable for $480 and it is amazing. The jeep weighs about 3,000 pounds so it is plenty to pull my car out of anything. I've pulled out friends who weigh probably closer to 6,000 lbs and as long as I am anchored so I don't slide it doesn't have a problem. You can get the exact same winch with steel cable for $300 and I imagine it will perform the exact same way
Just avoid the cheap Chinese imports. Not only are their parts going to be hard to find once it gets a few years old, they are too slow to make a good all-around winch. Some may not get why speed is important but it very often is... on some trails, you need a winch over a longer stretch where the Jeep can occasionally make progress under its own power which can snarl the winch cable into a big bird's nest. A winch that can keep up with that can prevent such problems.
Speaking of spare parts for winches, this was on a forum recently... someone posted they needed a replacement part for their dead Smittybilt winch that was still under warranty. Smittybilt couldn't provide the part but because it was under warranty, they shipped him a replacement winch. That sounds great until you realize they wouldn't do that again after its warranty expires. Warn maintains spares for their winches, hubs, etc. no matter how old it is. I broke a Warn winch hub by grinding it into a rock. Warn covered it under warranty & after hearing about how I use my winch, the Warn customer service rep I was talking with sent me two... one as a spare.
Speaking of spare parts for winches, this was on a forum recently... someone posted they needed a replacement part for their dead Smittybilt winch that was still under warranty. Smittybilt couldn't provide the part but because it was under warranty, they shipped him a replacement winch. That sounds great until you realize they wouldn't do that again after its warranty expires. Warn maintains spares for their winches, hubs, etc. no matter how old it is. I broke a Warn winch hub by grinding it into a rock. Warn covered it under warranty & after hearing about how I use my winch, the Warn customer service rep I was talking with sent me two... one as a spare.
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