Asking for opinions on winch purchase.

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ncduckman

ncduckman

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I have found a Warn M12000 new in the box for $950. Seller bought it, then sold the truck. I have verified that it is new and unopened.

I want a winch. Do I need one, maybe not. I think it is a good deal. What sayeth y'all. I have been watching CL on and off for them. They can be found in the $500-800 range, but that is used/very used.

P.S. I miss Olde North State, the club here is NOT family friendly. I doubt I will run with them much.

Robert
 
If you wheel by yourself, then yes. If you drive on back-country snow covered roads, then yes. If you work on a farm any, then yes. If you tow your rig on a trailer, then yes.

Otherwise I don't think you would use it much. JMHO

Jeremy
 
You can't go wrong with a warn but I don't think you wheel enough or hard enough to warranty that price, get a different model or a used/very used one;)
 
If the Smittybuilt winches will fit an ARB, I think you should look into that. For $300 you can't go wrong. And I hear they mess up just as much as Warns.:p

Jeremy
 
lt1fire said:
You can't go wrong with a warn but I don't think you wheel enough or hard enough to warranty that price, get a different model or a used/very used one;)
Click to expand...

No, I do not wheel enough to justify it. But we do have snow here. It would be fun to go out on snow patrol and pull people out of the ditch :). Could possibly offset some of the costs:idea:

I am pretty set on a M12000, as the ARB was built for it. I have thought about the M8000, but it may be undersized for an 80. I had figured my top dollar would be around $700. But if I can get a new one ...

The lowest I have seen new for is around $1300. That is why this caught my eye.

Of course, logic says that I should get sliders first ... dammit.

Robert
 
I own The TOY Outfitters and we sell Viper winches. I can sell you a Max recovery 12000 for $409.99 with free shipping.

Comes with wireless, winch cover, and snatch block. Has remote solenoid box that will allow it to fit into ARB.

The complete Viper line is on my web page and can also be seen on this thread
The TOY Outfitters now carries Viper Winches - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

Send a PM if interested
Stan
 
Sorry to hear the news on the Indy club, but you're always welcome down here. :)

I don't want to talk you out of the winch, but I think depending on the wheeling in your area you might be better off with the sliders. But it is nice to have a winch and a M12000 is a nice one.

Only thing I'll say about buying any winch is that since it is a recovery device, when you need it, you need it. Saving money on a winch whether new or used needs to take into account the reliability. Saving $500 won't mean much when you're stuck and need it. Of course, with a big brand like Warn, you can rebuild or repair if needed. Other, lesser known brands, I don't know. Also, a warranty doesn't mean much if the motor or solenoid goes out when you need it (like up to the doors in mud).

I think it's always a good idea to wheel with someone just in case you get stuck or something breaks. Just my $.02.
 
strong_toy said:
Sorry to hear the news on the Indy club, but you're always welcome down here. :)

I don't want to talk you out of the winch, but I think depending on the wheeling in your area you might be better off with the sliders. But it is nice to have a winch and a M12000 is a nice one.

Only thing I'll say about buying any winch is that since it is a recovery device, when you need it, you need it. Saving money on a winch whether new or used needs to take into account the reliability. Saving $500 won't mean much when you're stuck and need it. Of course, with a big brand like Warn, you can rebuild or repair if needed. Other, lesser known brands, I don't know. Also, a warranty doesn't mean much if the motor or solenoid goes out when you need it (like up to the doors in mud).

I think it's always a good idea to wheel with someone just in case you get stuck or something breaks. Just my $.02.
Click to expand...

I use to feel the same way about winches. But when a Warn 12,000 pound winch retails for $1,700.00 new I start looking at other options. I contacted Viper and asked if they would send me a 12000 lb winch to test out prior to carrying their line.

They have a great rep with ATV winches and jumped up to ful sized winches a little over a year ago. I have been using their Elite 12K for over a year with no issues and it works great. Hard to beat a 12K winch with syn rope for $850.00.

I've had problems with Warns and Superwinches in the past, they are machines and subject to break down too. I've been a Warn guy for years, but at this point I am tired of paying almost double for a name. To each their own.

Stan
 
Stan, Got any that would work on a trailer ? After this last wekend putting my back out again trying to get something on my trailer by hand the wife has said enough is enough, get a winch.
 
krzyabncanuck said:
Stan, Got any that would work on a trailer ? After this last wekend putting my back out again trying to get something on my trailer by hand the wife has said enough is enough, get a winch.
Click to expand...

Not a problem, we can hook you up with anything you need including winch, cradle and heavy duty wiring for the winch. It can either be a hard mount on the trailer or use a 2" receiver mounted on either the trailer or the back of the truck with the winch mounted in a cradle. Take a look at the link.
Viper Winches

A slick setup is to use a double receiver on the back of the tow rig. This allows you to keep the trailer attached to the tow rig and put the winch on the cradle into the upper/secondary 2" receiver. Northern Tool has a couple varients on this. Part # 330685-2101 and #333850-2101.

You can also use the winch alone on the tow rig in the 2" receiver and also on your trail rig if you wire it up for the winch as well. I use a 2" receiver on the front of my FJC and also the rear for recoveries on the trail. I've had 2" receivers on the front of my work trucks for years, very handy.

Stan
 
Stan, This one would just be for my trailer. I am leaning very hard to the 2 inch mount build for it so it is not on there perm. I make recievers on all my bumpers i build for the front. Makes it easy to move trailers here for one. Will look at your site. Thanks.
 
My pleasure, let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Stan
 
Well, I drove down to Loiusville, KY today to pick it up. I had to go to Indy for work so I figured it was a good excuse as I was already 1/3 of the way there. I picked it up for $900. The box hadn't even been opened yet. It is a beast. I am psyched.

No offense Stan. I had my heart set on a Warn, and to get a brand new one at over 25% off the lowest price I could find was a sweet deal for me.

Now to install it. Gonna need some help!

Robert
 
None taken, just presenting an option.
 
If you are not wheeling regular I would also consider a Titan. I had one on my FJC and you cant beat it.....best of Warn and Ramsey with way better seal for control box.....for half the price.

http://www.titanwinches.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=3


When I bought mine it was a 12,000lb TW12 with 3/8 cable, wireless remote, wired remote, cover, fairlead, etc shipped to my door plus $30 import fee for less than $600. Shipping might drive it up a little but should not be too bad.

He has some SABRE models now that are very reasonable and I have never heard of someone having issues with a Titan winch. Low draw, fast spooling, dont get too hot...and always reliable. I pulled no less than 12 vehicles over the 2 years and trees, debris, stumps, etc...and it always worked perfectly every time.

That being said I do love a Superwinch :)
 
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