What size winch would you recomend for the 100

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Jan 30, 2009
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So I am going to add a winch to the 2000 LC and was just wondering what size you would recommend 8K 10K 12K ?

I dont ever expect to be in a spot that I will need to pull the car up a vertical face :) Most it will be used for is pulling me or somone out of a ditch

I will be making a front bumper to hold it
 
I used s Superwinch 12500 and a Warn 12,500 on my discovery and my FJ60. Both work well, although the older Warn doesn't come stock with good factory seals so I have had to replace the motor a couple of times due to mud and water ingress. The Superwinch has been bulletproof.
 
I think 8k is a practical minimum. This is just my opinion, but I speak from precedence.
I've used my Warn 8k on both my 80 and my 100 so, it has seen some use. As dubitup mentions in jest, I too have used it so infrequently that I can't imagine you would need a 12k unless you intend to use it frequently or in situations that require -- like winching out of thick, sticky mud.

Aj
 
The biggest you can afford. I've used mine only one time ever, but when I needed it trust me I used every last little bit of pulling power. If you never, ever plan on being in mud or snow, you could get away with under 10k, however if you EVER think there's a possibility of getting stuck in mud go 10k at a minimum. The additional weight and force of mud adds thousands of additional pounds of strain on the winch, so you don't want to be in a position where you need the winch and it fails to be strong enough. I'm happy with my Engo 10k with synthetic line, but if I was to buy again I would go with their 12k or even 15k if it would fit in my bumper.
 
I went with the Warn VR12000 and I love it. I believe the optimum winch load is 1.5X's the weight of your vehicle - correct me if I'm wrong. Just keep in mind in most situations when you need to winch you are not pulling the dead weight of your truck but just slightly less. Factors such as traction, how deep you're stuck, and the steepness of the hill all play into how much you are actually pulling.
 
I went with the Warn VR12000 and I love it. I believe the optimum winch load is 1.5X's the weight of your vehicle - correct me if I'm wrong. Just keep in mind in most situations when you need to winch you are not pulling the dead weight of your truck but just slightly less. Factors such as traction, how deep you're stuck, and the steepness of the hill all play into how much you are actually pulling.
That is my logic. I estimate a lightly loaded 100 weighs at least 6,000lbs.
 
That is my logic. I estimate a lightly loaded 100 weighs at least 6,000lbs.

You can always run a two-part line if oyu have a snatch block.

I vaguely remember that the winch's rating was one-wrap on the drum and the ability to pull the load one foot. So a fully spooled 8k winch really aint pulling much....I could be mistaken though
 
Kofoed-

You are correct. Rating is max pull with 1 wrap. Snatch blocks and pulley set-ups are your friend to multiple pulling power.
 
Kofoed's nailed it - the rating is based on one wrap. And, a fully wrapped spool is a bunch less. But, a simple snatch block does two things - doubles the pulling power and doubles the amount of cable you'll use. Okay, it also doubles the time it takes, and assumes the situation allows for that much cable.

I'd be happy with a 9,000lb winch on the 100 - primarily because my use of the 100 is far from hardcore. I just don't anticipate getting myself into ANY situation where that much winch + all the other stuff (snatch block, straps, shackles, etc.) won't get me out.

On my CJ, I've got a 9500. My CJs tend to see much harder trail use. I've rolled trucks back over and up ledges, etc.

Ya gotta wonder too - what 12,000, 15,000 pounds of off-angle pulling does to the frame. Probably fine with the 100... probably.
 
Whatever you get I highly suggest ditching the wire cable and getting synthetic line instead.
Reasons:
  • It floats if you need to toss it to someone stuck in water.
  • It WILL NOT snap back and kill someone if it should ever break. It snaps and drops where it is.
  • You will not get wire splinters when you have to run your hands along it while feeding it back through the fairlead (don't need gloves, but should still have them).
  • It is much easier to handle when you unspool a length of it and have to carry it to your mounting point.
  • It is a fraction of the weight of wire cable. Try to avoid loading up the front of your vehicle with unnecessary weight. It kills your handling (Read: breaking)
 
Good thread... I've been wondering about synthetic line. Good to know it's characteristics. Nothing worse than running a wire splinter into your hand as your feeding cable back
 
@artwerks while in jest, I will say that I've only had my truck built for less than 6months....so...LOL.

Echoing much of what has been stated here, a recovery kit will give you several options for extraction and a snatch block with an equally rated shackle will double the rating but slow your speed. Caution, not to over heat the drum and damage the rope is very important to monitor when doubling back.
 
Have had the badlands for 3.5 years on multiple trucks. Bought synthetic line for it and it hasn't missed a beat. I've had some serious pulls with it and use the wireless remote that is offered from hf and haven't changed the batteries. For $300 + $350 for quality master pull synthetic line, I am a true believer in this winch. I opened it up a year ago even after having it buried in mud and river water and it had absolutely no water penetration.
 
FWIW this is one of the articles I used to research my choice. Please pay no attention to the actual numerical ranking of who won the test. The most expensive winch which also happened to literally grenade during one of the tests took home 1st prize (Warn) which is what I call ludicrous. Makes you wonder how something that breaks can win a competition :slap:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1107-massive-multi-winch-shootout/
 
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