<$300 Winches vs $1000 Winches?

MIGeezer

Well I carry a 8000# hand come-a-long, (CAL). I'm not one that puts myself into mud or rocks, etc. I don't like the way a winch fits on a Bronco. That's one thing they didn't engineer properly, IMO. It reminds me of a big wart growing on your neck, for most of them. I've played with my CAL on the trails. Pulled up some steep hills in Montana, takes awhile, but it got me up/out. The feedback in this thread is interesting. I looked for a slide mount winch, but the the few out there are not very big. My 2¢.

I'm in PA & wheel in WV & southern Ohio where there's plenty of sticky clay mud.
I'll keep my stubby wart winch & wireless remote for when I'm stuck in the mud lol...

I have a rough country winch and it hasn't failed me yet. I've had it for 2 years. I think I use it once or twice on every offroading vacation I've taken. Not that I'm a bad driver, but I'm a good helper. ;)

Speed is probably the biggest thing that no one has mentioned and warranty reading some of the previous replies.
A friend has what I call a Temu special and my Warn is twice as fast

615_Bronco

Speed is probably the biggest thing that no one has mentioned and warranty reading some of the previous replies.
A friend has what I call a Temu special and my Warn is twice as fast

A winches 'no load' line speed can be important to help the line get, and stay, taught before the actually recovery pull starts. Pulling speed under recovery load is far less important IMO..

Pulling speed should never be a factor when doing a recovery. Safety 1st, double and triple check all connections, conditions and make sure the area is clear of other people, etc. Then pull slow and steady while keeping an eye on what's going on with the winch spooling, the line, the anchor point and the surroundings.

I generally do a max pull of about 45 seconds then will let the winch cool for a few minutes before engaging it again. In many situations, you'd be recovered before that 45 seconds elapses..

If worried about pulling power based on how many wraps are on the winch spool (this is very important BTW) then get a snatch block or a recovery ring to increase the winch pulling power.

Well, that's my opinion at least..

raqball

A winches 'no load' line speed can be important to help the line get, and stay, taught before the actually recovery pull starts. Pulling speed under recovery load is far less important IMO..

Pulling speed should never be a factor when doing a recovery. Safety 1st, double and triple check all connections, conditions and make sure the area is clear of other people, etc. Then pull slow and steady while keeping an eye on what's going on with the winch spooling, the line, the anchor point and the surroundings.

I generally do a max pull of about 45 seconds then will let the winch cool for a few minutes before engaging it again. In many situations, you'd be recovered before that 45 seconds elapses..

If worried about pulling power based on how many wraps are on the winch spool (this is very important BTW) then get a snatch block or a recovery ring to increase the winch pulling power.

Well, that's my opinion at least..

Very valid and important opinion!
Speed should be a non issue in a recovery, safety is always the #1.
It was just something I’ve noticed.

So I got this in my email a few minutes ago from Harbor Freight



With that coupon, the Badlands 12K with synthetic line would come in at $480 which is $120 smackaroos off.. If you are not an Inside Track Club Member, I believe you can sign up at the register and then use the coupon at the same time. I think it's $30 for a year membership but you'd save $120 off the winch...

https://www.harborfreight.com/12000-lb-winch-with-synthetic-rope-and-wireless-remote-56385.html

I Run the Warn Winch. it works great. i have one on my 67 also. the one on my Raptor has the removable mount from MAXIMUS-3. Like that i can take it off when I daily drive this.

https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/ford-bronco-removable-winch-mount

also ford has 15% off this kit. sometimes if you watch every day they have a 20% off.
https://www.ford.com/product/ford-performance-parts-by-warn-bronco-winch-kit-p2760593812 so at that its about 900.00

Richards67Bronco

I Run the Warn Winch. it works great. i have one on my 67 also. the one on my Raptor has the removable mount from MAXIMUS-3. Like that i can take it off when I daily drive this.

https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/ford-bronco-removable-winch-mount

also ford has 15% off this kit. sometimes if you watch every day they have a 20% off.
https://www.ford.com/product/ford-performance-parts-by-warn-bronco-winch-kit-p2760593812 so at that its about 900.00

I tried, and failed, to talk myself out of purchasing the 'kit'.

I was worried these were going to sell out, because that price, with the discount, is an absolutely insane price.. I believe the kit was selling for over $2,500 a few months ago. It's obvious Warn, and Ford, are trying to clear inventory of these Zeon 10S..

So having failed to convince myself, I ordered it on up. With the discount and my Ford points it came out to a hair under $875 after sales tax..

You can't even get a made in China VR 10S for that price..

I figure I can sell my RC 12,000 and the winch mounting bracketry that comes with the Ford kit and get a chunk of that back..

I do not like the winch mounting bracketry that comes with the Ford kit as it's sits way to low so I'll just slap the Zeon 10S on my RC High Winch mount.

$875 for a Zeon with synthetic line AND a winch mounting bracket (that I will sell) was just to good of a deal to pass on..

Heck, I paid like $650 total for my RC winch and mounting bracket.. If this deal was going on when I bought the RC setup I would have purchased it instead..

raqball

I tried, and failed, to talk myself out of purchasing the 'kit'.

I was worried these were going to sell out, because that price, with the discount, is an absolutely insane price.. I believe the kit was selling for over $2,500 a few months ago. It's obvious Warn, and Ford, are trying to clear inventory of these Zeon 10S..

So having failed to convince myself, I ordered it on up. With the discount and my Ford points it came out to a hair under $875 after sales tax..

You can't even get a made in China VR 10S for that price..

I figure I can sell my RC 12,000 and the winch mounting bracketry that comes with the Ford kit and get a chunk of that back..

I do not like the winch mounting bracketry that comes with the Ford kit as it's sits way to low so I'll just slap the Zeon 10S on my RC High Winch mount.

$875 for a Zeon with synthetic line AND a winch mounting bracket (that I will sell) was just to good of a deal to pass on..

Heck, I paid like $650 total for my RC winch and mounting bracket.. If this deal was going on when I bought the RC setup I would have purchased it instead..

Yes. i got that winch a few years ago. didn't even own a bronco but for the price(free) i couldn't say no.. but also didn't like the mount so i went with the removable one. I have the same winch on my 67 for 5plus years now and have used it quite a few times. works great!! On this one I only put it on for the trips i might need it. I almost went with the high mount but like the look when it is not on there better. I just need to make a camera mount for when it is on.

raqball

As I am sure you are aware, be very careful with those. The same goes for the peeps who use high lift jacks as winches. You are in a direct line with the cable and shackles and if anything fails, you run the risk of serious injury..

Let me double click on that. There's a reason they call those high lift jacks "widow makers"...

I should've got one for my offroader, but I don't get stuck.Learned a long time ago, stay out of the mud, you don't get stuck.😆

Richards67Bronco

Yes. i got that winch a few years ago. didn't even own a bronco but for the price(free) i couldn't say no.. but also didn't like the mount so i went with the removable one. I have the same winch on my 67 for 5plus years now and have used it quite a few times. works great!! On this one I only put it on for the trips i might need it. I almost went with the high mount but like the look when it is not on there better. I just need to make a camera mount for when it is on.

I hate buying another winch since I already have one but after I checked the price using the discount code it really was to good to pass on..

I believe when Ford 1st launched the kit it was like $,3500.. The last time I looked a few months ago, it was down to $2,500.. Now I can snag it for $875?

I tried to talk myself out of the purchase but, no could do at that price..

SocalBonanza

Amazon Prime Day sent me an ad for under $300 13,000 pound, waterproof, synthetic, with remote, winches. (eg OpenRoad, X-Bull, others)

It made me wonder why I would buy one of the nearly $1000 options, such as Warn.

I get that Warn is THE standard and will outlast the others. But I can buy 3 of the knockoffs for the same price.

Is there a reason besides the cache of a great name out in front?

I use mine on my old Bronco and i don't want to have any issues on the trail when needed. Yes i am always with a friend that might have one but sometimes i am not. last thing i want is for it to break when needed. i go to some pretty remote areas where you can get pretty stuck. Granted I'm sure i will be a lot nicer to my Raptor Bronco then my old one.

Still running the old school slow pull Warn on the 67. Have rebuilt it once and here I'm getting to install the synthetic rope.
My 21 Has a Warn XD9000-i that has been indestructible for me on a couple different buggies.

Sven

Still running the old school slow pull Warn on the 67. Have rebuilt it once and here I'm getting to install the synthetic rope.
My 21 Has a Warn XD9000-i that has been indestructible for me on a couple different buggies.

*wow* A M8274, I used to have one of those on my Jeep back in the day. The Warn M8274 is incredibly durable, but it does require some regular maintenance to keep it running smooth. Because it uses an open spur gear design and a mechanical brake, it’s a bit different from modern sealed planetary winches. For example:

🛢 Annually (or Every Heavy Use Cycle)

✅ Change Gearbox Oil

• The M8274 uses an open spur gear set, not a sealed planetary like newer models.
• Remove the gear housing cover.
• Clean out any old grease, water, or contaminants.
• Repack with fresh NLGI #2 high-pressure lithium grease (Warn recommends this for the gears).

✅ Lubricate Bushings and Bearings

• Lightly grease the drum bushings and the clutch mechanism.
• Don’t over-grease—excess grease attracts dirt.

✅ Check Brake Function

• Test the mechanical brake for proper holding power.
• Inspect the brake shoes for wear. Adjust or replace if needed.

✅ Inspect Drum & Fairlead

• Look for grooves or sharp edges on the drum and rollers that could damage the rope.
• Smooth or replace as necessary.

⚠️ After Submersion (Water Crossing/Mud)

• Fully disassemble and clean the winch.
• Dry all components.
• Replace grease and ensure no water remains in the motor housing.

🧰 Every Few Years

✅ Solenoid Service

• If you notice sluggish operation, clean or replace the solenoids.
• Consider upgrading to a modern solid-state contactor pack (Warn makes retrofit kits).

✅ Inspect/Replace Brake Pads

• The M8274 uses a disc brake system; pads can wear over time.

The M8274 is legendary for lasting decades because it’s field serviceable—but only if kept clean and lubricated. Neglect (especially after mud and water) is the #1 killer.

Sven

Still running the old school slow pull Warn on the 67. Have rebuilt it once and here I'm getting to install the synthetic rope.
My 21 Has a Warn XD9000-i that has been indestructible for me on a couple different buggies.

Saaaaaaaaaaweeeeeet!

Those were always way out of my price range but they were, and still are, absolute monsters! I think the new ones with a synthetic line run like $4K now...