Smittybilt Gen2 winches

[NolanFJ60]

I know, I know, nothing will ever be as good as a warn..... But holy cow! The cheapest is a fully waterproof, 9.5k for $299 and all winches have a lifetime mechanical warranty with a 5 year electrical warranty. Normally, a price tag like alone would turn me off because for 300 bucks, it has to be crap right? Well, they look pretty impressive and I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one sometime this next week. I would love to have a warn, but I'm not going to have that kind of spending money anytime soon, and if I did, I'd probably spend it on something else, like another air locker or something.

http://www.smittybilt.com/gen2_winches.html

http://www.4wheelparts.com/search.aspx?kw=Smittybilt+Gen2+Winches

I'll do a review and update the thread periodically as time goes on. Hopefully this will turn out good. If not, well then you'll all know not to buy these winches. Let me know what ya'll think.

 

[Tapage]

these days any serious winch have to had an albright solenoid .. another important part it's how the clutch engages, all those winches have the same flaw there IMHO ..

 

[NolanFJ60]

these days any serious winch have to had an albright solenoid .. another important part it's how the clutch engages, all those winches have the same flaw there IMHO ..

What manufacturers use albright for their solenoids? I know that a common problem with most winches is that the solenoid gets stuck.

 

[Tapage]

What manufacturers use albright for their solenoids? I know that a common problem with most winches is that the solenoid gets stuck.

well dunno about others but my Superwinch have it .. so that would be my first point of selection.

 

[Pin_Head]

Many of the new Chinese "waterproof" winches use a Chinese Albright knock off contactor. The other nice thing about the Albright design is that if one of the contacts sticks, it disrupts the circuit rather than shorting out.

 

[FJ60Cam]

I've had the XRC-8 for a couple of years now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CGBN3C/?tag=ihco-20

It has been under water more times than I can count. It's seen it's share of dust. It isn't fast, it's kinda noisy, but it has worked every time.

For me, it came down to getting a $300 winch or getting no winch.

I'm perfectly happy with it, and no one has refused a pull from it yet!

 

[LFD2037]

Keep us informed on how it works out for ya! $449 w/synthetic line is tough to beat.

 

[frankenyoter]

I have a XRC-10 on my 60 and it has never let me down. It's pulled trees, plenty of jeeps, even an expedition 4x4 van buried in mud to the grill.

My only advise is to wire a switch into the cab since the remote connection leaves a little to be desired.

 

[ColoradoCarlisle]

Bump for more info
I saw this as well and I'm thinking about getting one for my 40

 

[maxamillion2345]

My XRC8 was awesome. Warn doesn't use albright solenoids btw...

 

[traveldud]

how does it compare to Engo? They're on sale at Iron Pig for what it's worth...http://www.ironpigoffroad.com//index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9_45_105

 

[LFD2037]

how does it compare to Engo? They're on sale at Iron Pig for what it's worth...http://www.ironpigoffroad.com//index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9_45_105

The Engo 10S can be had for $425 w/free shipping using my google-fu.

 

[Pin_Head]

how does it compare to Engo?

Smitty Gen2 = waterproof + lifetime warranty

Engo E series = not waterproof. 1 year + limited lifetime warranty

Like all Chinese winches, the ones in the same class are the same and parts interchange. Gen2 and E series are not the same class. Engo E parts interchange with other Chhinese winches in the non-waterproof class, like Badlands, Runva, and 100s of others. The point is that the name on the sticker has little to nothing to do with the quality as compared to the class of parts used.

 

[LFD2037]

Smitty Gen2 = waterproof + lifetime warranty

Engo E series = not waterproof. 1 year + limited lifetime warranty

Like all Chinese winches, the ones in the same class are the same and parts interchange. Gen2 and E series are not the same class. Engo E parts interchange with other Chhinese winches in the non-waterproof class, like Badlands, Runva, and 100s of others. The point is that the name on the sticker has little to nothing to do with the quality as compared to the class of parts used.

The Smitty talked about in this thread is NOT the waterproof version. That's the Smitty H20 & it's significantly more expensive.

 

[Pin_Head]

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but the OP is about a Gen2 winches and the company claims they are waterproof. Check the link in the original post.

 

[LFD2037]

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but the OP is about a Gen2 winches and the company claims they are waterproof. Check the link in the original post.

I meant X2O, not H2O. The ad header is a bit misleading & there seems to be some confusion, by the OP as well. If you read the specs the XRC, which the OP is inquiring about, is water resistant. The X20, which is pricier, is water proof.

 

[doublebuck]

Xcr8 has been pulling me and my buddies out for 2 years, still going strong.

 

[LFD2037]

Read a review today that the guy was using the new Gen2 w/synthetic line. He had used it 4 times, wasn't stuck very bad(in a Jeep) & broke the rope. But no telling if he had messed the rope in a prior pull. Most seem to be happy w/the Gen2's. I was stuck on an Engo 10S but the XRC 9.5 Comp is looking pretty good as well, especially the warranty.

 

[Dakotalx450]

Not sure if this posted correctly but this winch impressed me today pulling a duramax with my lx450 for an anchor.

 

[Dakotalx450]

It is a smittybuilt x9.5? With synthetic rope. Owner commented how hot it was to grind on the fair lead