Winch Question

Razorback

Oct 02, 2020

So trying to do homework before B&P. I admit off-roading will be new for us and the winch will probably be just for looks the first year or so, but why is there a difference between truck winch and Jeep winch? (Guess they will need to change it to Jeep/Bronco ) Any recommendations from the group as well on which you prefer? I'll compare costs once B&P is released.

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wmneill, Rgwinn

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 02, 2020

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Oct 02, 2020

I will probably do aftermarket for mine. Got some sweet deals through my brother in law at the local 4WP. Probably going with Warn VR8 Winch. I guess depending on which size Bronco and payload will determine which winch works best for your situation.

TXArchitect - 1719
[O=BRONCO=O]

Oct 04, 2020

Razorback
So trying to do homework before B&P. I admit off-roading will be new for us and the winch will probably be just for looks the first year or so, but why is there a difference between truck winch and Jeep winch? (Guess they will need to change it to Jeep/Bronco ) Any recommendations from the group as well on which you prefer? I'll compare costs once B&P is released.

Winches are built at different weigh ratings, the Warn Winch listed for “best truck” is rated at 12,000lbs as trucks are usually heavier than Jeeps. After that it comes down to reliability and capabilities for your particular vehicle
There are a lot of physics involved with winching, plus safety, so you want a winch that has enough capacity to get you (or your friends) unstuck. Here is a short article; there is a lot more info, and good videos on winching;

https://www.bumperonly.com/blogs/learning-center/dont-buy-a-winch-until-you-read-this-shopping-guide

Ordered: 4-Door First Edition - Rapid Red - Black Seats - MIC Top - Build Date: 10/25
In Garage: ‘62 Red Vette - ‘07 Black Shelby Ragtop - ‘21 F150 Platinum PowerBoost - Rapid Red

Deano Bronc, Razorback

Oct 04, 2020

Razorback
So trying to do homework before B&P. I admit off-roading will be new for us and the winch will probably be just for looks the first year or so, but why is there a difference between truck winch and Jeep winch? (Guess they will need to change it to Jeep/Bronco ) Any recommendations from the group as well on which you prefer? I'll compare costs once B&P is released.

In addition to learning about offroading and what winch to buy, please become familiar with safe winch operation. A broken cable can be lethal.

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wmneill, Deano Bronc

Oct 04, 2020

For a newbie to off-roading, what conditions would lead you to getting stuck and needing a winch to get out? Mud? I’m just trying to get a sense if it is something I would ever need living in Arizona where wet/muddy conditions aren’t really ever a concern.

‘22, 4 door Badlands, 2.3l, MT, MIC top, lux, Sasquatch, tow. Velocity Blue.
Build Complete --> 5/5/2022. Delivered 5/25/2022.
Bronco Nation #1115

Oct 05, 2020

tlowell01
For a newbie to off-roading, what conditions would lead you to getting stuck and needing a winch to get out? Mud? I’m just trying to get a sense if it is something I would ever need living in Arizona where wet/muddy conditions aren’t really ever a concern.

There are many. One is getting high centered on a rock, or a tree stump. The other is steep terrain where you have a chance of sliding off an edge, etc etc. I have used a winch to pull others out that are stuck in snow/mud. Take a little time and search on YT, you will find hundreds of videos of winching.

Happy Trails

Ordered: 4-Door First Edition - Rapid Red - Black Seats - MIC Top - Build Date: 10/25
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BuzzyBud

Oct 05, 2020

The differences are due to vehicle weight.

Easy math is 2x your vehicle weight, how ever advertised weight is clean and dry. Add steel bumpers, gear, vehicle full of camping gear, etc. What if your stuck in some mud? That greatly increases the weight of vehicle your trying to pull out. And winches are not only for you but for the vehicle you come across that needs help. In other words get a 10k winch for your bronco.

BuzzyBud

Oct 05, 2020

For weight rating 8-10k, for most suvs 8k is plenty. If you need more use a snatch block. I prefer synthetic, its easier to handle and safer if it fails, but it's not as forgiving as cable. It doesn't like uv rays, it needs cleaned if you get it muddy, and you need to know how to repair it if it does fail. As for a brand, you get what you pay for. Warn has been around forever and are constantly improving their line.

Deano Bronc, BuzzyBud

Oct 05, 2020

Weight rating is simple, how much does a Wrangler weigh....? :p

In New England mud is the biggest reason for getting stuck or high centered on a tree.

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Rgwinn, Deano Bronc

Oct 05, 2020

Waiting for the window stickers that read “ Jeep Recovery Vehicle “

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In Garage: ‘62 Red Vette - ‘07 Black Shelby Ragtop - ‘21 F150 Platinum PowerBoost - Rapid Red

wmneill, Ian Lacasse

Oct 05, 2020

#10

Rgwinn
Waiting for the window stickers that read “ Jeep Recovery Vehicle “

New vanity plate idea "JRV"

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wmneill, Rgwinn

Oct 06, 2020

#11

Apples491
General rule of thumb for weight rating is 1.5-2x the weight of your vehicle. For most SUVs, that ends up being 8000lbs. A lot of people opt for a 9k or 10k winch (more is betterer) because they're more common.

The other thing you have to decide is steel vs synthetic line. Steel has incredible tensile strength, pretty much guaranteeing the line will never be the weak link. But if it snaps, people in its path are going to have a very bad day. Steel is less pliable and can develop burrs. You pretty much have to use heavy duty/leather gloves to handle it.

Synthetic line has a lower strength than steel but is much less lethal if snapped. Instead of whipping around, it tends to drop straight down. Synthetic is much more pliable than steel, unless you're out in icy/snowy conditions where it can freeze on the winch. If you ask most SARS/recovery guys, they prefer synthetic.

Of course, the overall line weight also comes into play. Steel can be nearly 100lbs heavier than synthetic, but it's also cheaper.

When I was in the Navy, we had to watch a training video, something to the effect of "The Hazards of Synthetic Line Snap-back". Talking about what happens when you pull a 2" nylon rope to its breaking point.

Kinda like them driver's ed videos ya had to watch in high school in the '70s.

See stuff you'll never forget....

2021 BadSquatch, 4DR, 2.7/AT, High Package, Oxford White

Rgwinn, Deano Bronc

Oct 06, 2020

#12

TurkeyRun
When I was in the Navy, we had to watch a training video, something to the effect of "The Hazards of Synthetic Line Snap-back". Talking about what happens when you pull a 2" nylon rope to its breaking point.

Kinda like them driver's ed videos ya had to watch in high school in the '70s.

See stuff you'll never forget....

Nothing to sneeze at, I worked with a guy that lost part of his leg due to a line snap at the dock in Oakland CA.

Ordered: 4-Door First Edition - Rapid Red - Black Seats - MIC Top - Build Date: 10/25
In Garage: ‘62 Red Vette - ‘07 Black Shelby Ragtop - ‘21 F150 Platinum PowerBoost - Rapid Red

Deano Bronc

Oct 06, 2020

#13

I've had to use my winch twice in 15y crawling to get myself out of trouble. I've used it for other reasons several times like I did in the pic. Remember also that thr winch rating is only for the first wrap around the spool, so the more cable you have the less it's capable of. Like mentioned above, tree straps, snatch blocks and clevises are necessary. Buy the biggest winch that will fit and that you can afford.

Slope was so steep that it was easier to slide down on your rear than try to walk down. Took about an hour to get him back over. Took the winch on his bronco, the winch on my bronco (white one) and the winch on the bronco behind me hooked to me to keep me from sliding while winching and the winch on the bronco behind him to hold him in place. So 4 winches total to make it happen.

2D BL, Sas, 2.7l, High, Silver 10:22pm 7/13/20 Res, 1/31 2/7 2/14 2/28 3/7 build dates
built 3/11/22, delivered 4/16/22

wmneill, Deano Bronc

Oct 06, 2020

#14

Another thing to consider about winch ratings, the bigger the rating the slower the winch is generally speaking. This is due to the gear reduction as most use the same motor. I run an 8274 with an upgraded motor that takes it from an 8000 lb winch to 10000lb.

wmneill, Deano Bronc

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