Winches for 100 series?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Bull Cruiser

Bull Cruiser

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Threads
13
Messages
220
What rated winches are fellow ih8mud members using on their 100 series?

I've been looking and can't decide between a 9,500lb or a 12,000lb winch. I don't want to rip the front end of my cruiser off! Is their a rule of thumb for this, I searched the forums couldn't really find anything about this.

I'm usually muddin' with my buddy who has an H1 and he runs a 12,000lb winch... this made me think it might be too much for my cruiser but I want to get maximum strength.

Does anyone have anything to say about IronMan winches?

Really appreciate all the help! Thanks
 
haha

What do you pull in the LEXUS?
 
FWIW: The Warn 9.5XP has been a horse of a winch for me. Its pulled my fully loaded '99 + one of my 2,500lb. trailers up steep, loose and off-camber slopes without a second thought or groan.

Additionally, at near the outer layer of the winch line, it pulled me out of gooey frame deep mud. And last spring it pulled me through fender deep snow at a near 90-degree pull: Again without issue.

Which winch you choose will have more to do with what whatever bumper you have/select will accept...
 
FYI, I run a warn m8000. I was worried it would be too light for the 100series, but it seems to have enough power to pull me up inclines. Not tried to break suction on any goo, but I think it would be too weak.
 
Depends on your use. General rule is at least 2x what you're pulling. The 100 weighs about 6k, so a 12k rated winch is good. However, the Warn M12 weighs 130lbs. and that will sink your IFS front end pretty quick. I had one on my truck and really noticed all that weight hanging out on the nose, so I swapped to an M8. I probably would have gone for the 9.5, but the cost was a huge factor. The M8 is only like $500.

Plus, you can use a snatch block and double up.
 
I run a Ramsey Patriot 9500 in an ARB deluxe winch bull bar. Carry a snatch block and 100 feet of syn winch extension line rated at 19000 lbs to get back some reach.
 
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful suggestions and tips, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
 
Get a 12,000lb winch and watch that front end droop!


I have a Warn M8000, and it has proven it self manyyyyy times. It hasnt failed once. Like spresso said "its a workhorse!" Have pulled up very steep inclines. I dont believe it is too light of a winch at all.

Good luck.


Need a bumper first. ;)
 
I'm running a Warn XD9000 on mine. I've seen some amazing pulls from M8000s and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those. Where the rule comes from is partially due to suction. If you stay out of the goop a lighter winch will probably suffice. But if you plan on burying your rig in the muck go big.
 
Trunk Monkey said:
Depends on your use. General rule is at least 2x what you're pulling. The 100 weighs about 6k, so a 12k rated winch is good. However, the Warn M12 weighs 130lbs. and that will sink your IFS front end pretty quick. I had one on my truck and really noticed all that weight hanging out on the nose, so I swapped to an M8. I probably would have gone for the 9.5, but the cost was a huge factor. The M8 is only like $500.

Plus, you can use a snatch block and double up.
Click to expand...

If I put the winch on, and then crank or reindex the tbar, can I level the 100 series out even if it has a 12,000lb winch? or is it impossible to add a 12,000 lb winch and avoid the stinkbug stance?
 
LJ_24 said:
If I put the winch on, and then crank or reindex the tbar, can I level the 100 series out even if it has a 12,000lb winch? or is it impossible to add a 12,000 lb winch and avoid the stinkbug stance?
Click to expand...

I've been looking at 12,000lb winches and they weigh around 93-100lbs with synthetic rope on. What's considered a-lot of weight for the front? approximately 300lbs (I'm trying to figure in weight of aftermarket steel bumper and winch)?
 
While I agree with Trunk that 2x is better ("bigger is better" applies in this case), the generally accepted industry rule of thumb is 1.5x weight of vehicle. But this is a bit lean IMHO, especially if you will ever see any mud (but then, why would you be on here, 'cause we all H8MUD, right?). That said, a 9.5K winch will be fine for just about anything you will need it for. 12K has its advantages, but it has its drawbacks as well (cost, weight, proper mounting solutions).

edit: Weight ratings aren't everything, don't forget to take into account the drive mechanism (e.g. electric vs. hydraulic), gear type, and other design factors. The classic Warn 8274 is only rated at 8000 pounds, but that thing is a MONSTER that I'd take over a Warn M12000 any day (if I could find a way to stuff it in a bumper).
 
Last edited:
dclee said:
the generally accepted industry rule of thumb is 1.5x weight of vehicle.
Click to expand...

I know, I rounded. :flipoff2:

dclee said:
The classic Warn 8274 is only rated at 8000 pounds, but that thing is a MONSTER that I'd take over a Warn M12000 any day (if I could find a way to stuff it in a bumper).
Click to expand...

x2 on the 8274. The drive mechanism on that thing is unstoppable.

Again, plan to your use. If you wheel by yourself and/or in mud, get a 12k. I tried to pull an 80 sucked in to the frame in mud out with a 9k on a snatch block and it wouldn't do it.

I should have taken pictures of the M12 and the M8 next to each other. The 12 dwarfs the 8. Like I said, I would have loved the 9.5, but they're around a grand. The M12 is close to $1,300 now (but much easier to find used), but a new M8 is (or was when I ordered) only a little over $500 shipped.

Someone's going to ask about the Warn Tabor line and the 12k they have, there's reviews in the Recovery section.
 
I'm probably gonna get the m12, or the 9.5 if i get talked into it.

I've got no need for a winch in the nyc suburbs right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom