This will be my first winch. Why does everyone upgrade to the flatlink - It's stronger and safer?
Did you consider putting the tire on the passenger side?
Did your tire carrier come with a hi-lift mount?
On why everyone upgrades, not really sure. I had a hook on my last one and didn't like it. Ben is a factor 55 retailer, so it seemed the obvious choice. I never looked up the numbers, but holding the flatlink and the hook that came with the come up, there is no doubt the flat link is stronger and most likely minimally safer due to it being a closed feature. But it just moves your failure point potentially elsewehere. I'll let others discuss winch safety deep into oblivion.
I have my tire driver side for two reasons. First, visibility. I still have great visibility thru the rear. I think it would be more of an issue on passenger side. Second, I don't have my LRA tank yet, so siphoning fuel from the swingout just makes sense to have it right by the fuel port.
No Hi-Lift mount yet. I have only used it on the trail very few times and Ben and I had a long chat about how little they get used compared to how often you see people with them. Probably a longer discussion for another day. BUT, he did say he had a mount on the shop rig for a while, but he did not like it and basically he didn't think it was up to snuff to sell to us as consumers. Great that a company has high levels of testing/requirements, but a bummer that one isnt available at this time. I think he is working on a new way of attaching it.