Longs, Hi-Steer, or Winch?

[Ducks]

winch, longs, or hi-steer?

Just did my taxes and I'm getting a refund. Should I get a Warn M8000 winch (EDIT: used Warn M8274) ($510), Longfields 30-spline super set ($665), or 4x4 labs hi-steer ($550)?

I have recently bought but not yet installed a used 5" Alcan lift, 35x12.5r15 tires, ARB winch bumper, sliders, rear bumper with tire carrier & gas can holders. I have an Aussie Locker installed in the rear. Thinking about installing an Aussie in the front.

Hi-Steer: The PO of the springs says he had some bump steer.
Longs: I don't know how to change a birfield (yet).
Winch: With a locker(s), it seems like I could really get myself stuck. I also work 4x10s so most of my time going out will probably be by myself in the middle of the week.

Thanks for any thoughts.

 

[Dave-T]

Winch, but I would get something a bit larger then the 8k.

 

[Mace]

if you are gonna lock the front I would do longs..


If not, winch..

 

[chappysfj40]

Longs, keep it as stong as possible. winch is cool and a very nice thing to have, but most of wheel with other rigs anyhow, so my vote is LONGS. cheers

 

[FJ60Cam]

If you can wait til you have the $$$, I'd do all of the front end stuff at once (locker, longs, high steer)... unless you like to take stuff apart frequently.

If the money is just burning a hole in your pocket, I'd get the winch and/or a front locker.

 

[Ducks]

If you can wait til you have the $$$, I'd do all of the front end stuff at once (locker, longs, high steer)... unless you like to take stuff apart frequently.

If the money is just burning a hole in your pocket, I'd get the winch and/or a front locker.

If I get the Longs, I'll probably do the Aussie Locker and change the thirds to 4.11s at the same time.

 

[iron_giant]

Chad,
My 2 cents (as the PO). I think steering should be your first order. After all, you are driving to Alaska, and, while the trail run is why you're going you still have a lot of road miles in between. The Alcan SUA lift causes a pretty steep drag link angle and while most of us can live with a bit of bumpsteer it does cause significant stress on the link ends as they're operating angles are rather steep. I was amazed at how quickly the steering would loosen up, especially after a few hard days of wheeling. Luke's stuff is top tier, but if budget is a concern then the marlin stuff can net you brand new steering with high steer arms for a 150.00 less.

I have been running the stock birfs for years now and have not broken one on my expedition wagon. (The forty was a different story ) For 99% of the wheeling you will be doing I think it best to learn how to change a birf and carry a spare. It is surprisingly easy.

As for a front locker it seems to me you'd be better to wait and wheel the hell out of you're truck until you "need" a front locker. You'll be amazed how much trouble your current set-up will get you into. then I would recommend spending the extra dollars on a selectable locker as their are situations where you simply don't want to be locked.

A winch is always a good thing, though I agree that you may want something large than an 8000 as you're rig will be rather heavy and you must also consider the resistance of what you're stuck in.

It's not always like me to be the voice of reason but if what you are after is an expedition truck then i would spend the money on getting things dialed in and reliable, then add the goodies as you need them.

david

 

[brokenparts]

Longs.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

longs and lock the front. i run 2lo most of the time and only use 4 wheel when i think i may need it or have gotten hung up in 2 lo.

and with the 35's and 4.56's my spedo was nearly dead on acurate acording to my GPS (spedo showing slightly slower than i really was moving so kinda like a small overdrive)

now with the 33's and my 4.56's im goin much slower than the spedo shows (when spedo says 55 im goin 50 and when it says 59 im goin 55.)

EDIT: gearing references were all in my FJ60 with stock us spec H42 4 speed.

a FJ62 WILL be diferent as it has a slight overdrive. (for those currious)

 

[ColoCruiserJeff]

I can see good reasons for each option.

I'd vote winch.

Longs are nice....but they aren't going to get you out of a pinch, however the added strengh will entice you to go further than you may be able to get out of

Same thinking with a locker in front.....

Think RECOVERY, RECOVERY, RECOVERY!

First is Safety, have a kick-ass aid kit in your rig at all times.
2nd is RECOVERY!....better to have a winch, straps (TONS) and plenty of d-rings and even though, you may never need them for yourself.....you'll likely be able to help out someone in time of real need.

Ask 2BadFJs about the flop with his 60.....had everything BUT a winch....and that's all he needed.

 

[RredFJ40]

That histeer going to work SUA? Unless you're SOA I wouldn't bother with the histeer. My vote is for the winch, but a 9k or 10k

 

[iron_giant]

That histeer going to work SUA? Unless you're SOA I wouldn't bother with the histeer. My vote is for the winch, but a 9k or 10k

A low SOA yields about 5.5-6"of lift where the Alcan's are designed to provide 4" of lift loaded down plus the extended length of the shackle so the spring can flex yielding about 5" when loaded and higher when unloaded. Please tell me why a SUA lift of approximately the same height of a low SOA wouldn't benefit from a high steer for the same reasons?

 

[ngiri]

First off, all your choices are excellent, right now I run 4X4 labs crossover steering. My next upgrade will most likely be Longs, but I have been wheeling stock front ends since '82.

The first upgrade I ever did was an 8274 which resided on my '74 Jimmy for several years and was passed on to the BJ42 then, 25 years latter, it was passed to the BJ60. I have NEVER regretted buying that winch, it has saved my *ss more times than I can remember.Like you, due to work, I used to do much of my wheeling alone, a stuck truck miles from nowhere is a liability that can have serious consequences.

So, think Winch, but maybe a 10,000# , I'm running a 12000# Warn

 

[Dirtgypsy]

Chad,
My 2 cents (as the PO). I think steering should be your first order. After all, you are driving to Alaska, and, while the trail run is why you're going you still have a lot of road miles in between. The Alcan SUA lift causes a pretty steep drag link angle and while most of us can live with a bit of bumpsteer it does cause significant stress on the link ends as they're operating angles are rather steep. I was amazed at how quickly the steering would loosen up, especially after a few hard days of wheeling. Luke's stuff is top tier, but if budget is a concern then the marlin stuff can net you brand new steering with high steer arms for a 150.00 less.

I have been running the stock birfs for years now and have not broken one on my expedition wagon. (The forty was a different story ) For 99% of the wheeling you will be doing I think it best to learn how to change a birf and carry a spare. It is surprisingly easy.

As for a front locker it seems to me you'd be better to wait and wheel the hell out of you're truck until you "need" a front locker. You'll be amazed how much trouble your current set-up will get you into. then I would recommend spending the extra dollars on a selectable locker as their are situations where you simply don't want to be locked.

A winch is always a good thing, though I agree that you may want something large than an 8000 as you're rig will be rather heavy and you must also consider the resistance of what you're stuck in.

It's not always like me to be the voice of reason but if what you are after is an expedition truck then i would spend the money on getting things dialed in and reliable, then add the goodies as you need them.

david

this is some pretty sensible and great info.

my 2 cents:

1: high steer from Marlin

2: used M8000 in Craigs list for $250

3: spare birfs or complete axle shafts

4: front locker

5: 4BTA swap

6: dual cases

7: 4.56's

oops thats my wish list

good luck. sounds like your rig will be sweet!!

clint

 

[RredFJ40]

A low SOA yields about 5.5-6"of lift where the Alcan's are designed to provide 4" of lift loaded down plus the extended length of the shackle so the spring can flex yielding about 5" when loaded and higher when unloaded. Please tell me why a SUA lift of approximately the same height of a low SOA wouldn't benefit from a high steer for the same reasons?

I don't know, that's why there was a question mark. I was thinking interference - while the lift may be the same they are accomplished in entirely different ways (relocating axles, etc.) Again, I asked the question because I wasn't sure of the answer.

 

[CaliCruiser]

If you are going to drive to Alaska why not consider an h55? I should have mine swapped in with the ToyBox pretty quick if you want to drive it to get a feel. Otherwise, I would either do the Longs and locker at the same time or winch. From my experience talking to some seasoned veterans of California's hardest trails, front lockers only get used maybe 5% of the time while 4 wheeling, so it may not be as important as a good winch. Once you get all those parts listed in your first post installed, come on up and do some wheelin' with us, and find out what you need.

Dylan

 

[Ducks]

Excellent, Dylan. I'll definitely take you up on that. A toybox with an h55 was on the list but some unexpected medical bills wiped out my slush fund. I'll hold off on the front locker until I get some more experience. The whee-bit of rock crawling I did on the Rubicon I used the front locker a fair amount but I'm not planning on running that any time soon. Still have to figure out at least a temporary solution for the gearing. Probably just try and find some cheap 4.11 thirds.

 

[paulwolf350]

i would spend the money on getting things dialed in and reliable, then add the goodies as you need them.

david

I second these comments, you shouldnt need longs with those 35s, unless you are being very silly the birfs will hold up ok.

I winch makes good sense BUT not at the expense of getting your truck set up properly, we have ome heavies with longer shackles (about 5 inch lift) on my mates rig, and it steers bad enough to be a concern. I would do the high steer (and will on this one) with that much lift

I also wouldnt put an aussie in the front, I think you need a selectable locker in the front

get it set up properly, then add to it as money becomes available

Paul

PS I only use my front locker about 10% of the time, a rear locker, 35s and good suspension will suffice 90% of the time

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Hi-steer
If it were my rig I'd want bumpsteer gone as soon as I could make it go away! Then work on the rest as funds allow.

Butt

 

[Ducks]

Instead of the new warn m8000 winch, I'm looking at a used 8274. The more I learn about them, the more impressed I am. I should probably just learn how to change a birf in the field. Thanks for all the comments, it's helping me figure out where my priorities should be. I'm going to hold off on a front locker. So I think the next three purchases I'll make for the cruiser will be -
1. 8274 or hi-steer
2. Longs

But for now, I can't decide between a winch and hi-steer. Perhaps I should get a wench instead. Wife might not be too happy about that.

Just wanted to compare the poll with what people posted.

Choice .. Poll .. Post
Winch...... 8.... .. 7
Hi-Steer... 5.. .... 4
Longs.. ... 9.. .... 3