I'm new owner of 2005 LJ as of last week. I'm retired and Jeep will be used as a daily driver, 3-4 trips a week to the golf course, 2-3 nights out to eat. But in October and November it will be left at my cousins place to use to drive into our duck camp. A mile and half trip, the last 1/4 mile of which is wet/under water sometimes. This is serious mud at times, but there are trees along the trail for anchoring a cable. I'd guess we'd probably need to winch out 2 or 3 times a year.
So, given this estimated usage, can you folks recommend a winch brand and capacity? Also any information about buying a winch mount on my stock LJ would be appreciated. And, it seems like a wireless remote for the winch would be a real handy thing to have. Looking for experienced/expert recommendations and comments. Thanks in advance.
My Warn VR series winch is reliable and affordable. I use the VR8000 on my TJ in dry Rocky conditions. I would suggest the VR10000 given the heavier LJ and added weight from mud.
Ever considered lockers? Would likely reduce the frequency of Winch usage.
I'm new to this. I've had 4WD pickups with auto and manual hubs. And I know what positraction is.
What exactly are lockers?
Does an LJ have positraction front and/or rear?
I'm new to this. I've had 4WD pickups with auto and manual hubs. And I know what positraction is.
What exactly are lockers?
Does an LJ have positraction front and/or rear?
Positraction is GM's name for a limited slip differential. Jeep's equivalent is Tracloc which is an option for most Jeep models. When installed, it only goes in the back axle since that type of limited slip differential, clutch-based, could cause steering problems, especially on icy roads. Some other limited slip differentials that are gear-based like the Detroit Truetrac and not clutch-based like the Tracloc is are suitable for use at the front or rear.
One more companion piece on 4x4 and torque that's even older you also might find informational is at 4x4 & Torque answers -
On the winch, I agree with the others above in recommending Warn winches. Most of Warn's winches are American made in Oregon and they're the standard by which all other winches are measured and compared. The M8000 that was mentioned several times is a long-term favorite. I've run a couple Warn winches over the years, and have been running their 9.5xp for about 6 years now. Their winches have been 100% flawless and trouble-free for me.
If you need time to learn about lockers and limited slips, get the winch now because you'll need it even with a locker. Can't go wrong with Warn VR or M series, minimum 8000lbs.
As one who has been running a winch and lockers for many years, I'll take my lockers any day over my winch if I couldn't afford both.
I take advantage of my lockers every single time I go offroading, they're required for my TJ to make it through the trails I enjoy. I rarely need my winch for my own Jeep because of the lockers. Those times I do need to be winched, if I didn't have a winch, I can always borrow the services of someone else's winch who is in my wheeling group. There's never anyone not anxious to use their winch to help someone else. I can't however borrow the services of lockers.
I learned the BIG benefits of the Rubis selectable lockers the first year I had mine. Crossing a snow windrow left by the plow truck I had the left front and right rear tires stuffed into the wheel wells while the right front and left rear tires hung in the air spinning. Cursing my luck I circled the Jeep a few times.... wishing I had a shovel before the light bulb came on.... "Bill It is a Rubi... try the lockers". Back in, 4LO, lock up both diffs, let the clutch out and IDLE off the windrow !!
For that reason I say get lockers BEFORE buying a winch !! And while every situation is different.. I prefer the selectable locker. I think it is the best bang for the buck.
I will throw this out there regarding winch vs lockers first. I only go out alone and my winch could mean the difference between me making it back home or having to walk 10 miles to get help. For me, a winch is a must have.
Personally, I'd never go wheeling alone in a remote area on a trail tough enough to require lockers or a winch. I consider wheeling alone recreationally to be borderline insane. Too many things to go break/go wrong or legs/heads to be broken.
Without lockers on a tough trail, you'd need to use your winch multiple times a day. That stops everyone while you hook up once again for another obstacle you could have easily made it over with a locker. Experienced wheelers who do tough trails would never consider having only a winch.
Rarely do I ever have to use my winch for my TJ since it has lockers. I don't see the logic behind rather being forced to use the winch so often than seldom needing it at all with lockers. I use my winch a LOT for others and generally speaking, pretty much all are running open axles. Rarely does the winch need to come out for a locker equipped Jeep.
And as said above, you can never borrow the services of a locker but the services of a winch sure can be. When I'm in a group of ten Jeeps, there will be 7-8 of them with winches just itching to use them. Fortunately my lockers mean I seldom need my winch.
I think the main idea here is whether you're with friends or not. I do a lot of mild wheeling alone and I would rather have the winch than my lockers in the case that I get stuck. If I get stuck without lockers, I can use the winch. But if I don't have a winch and instead I have lockers and I get stuck, well then I'm out of luck. Obviously the best idea is to have both, which I do, but for wheeling alone, I would say a winch is a better idea.
Also, you're on rocks most of the time. Lockers are insanely helpful on rocks. I would say that lockers are more helpful on rocks than they are in the mud. The OP says he is in mud. Even with lockers, you can easily get stuck in the mud. If you go into some ruts and sit on your difs, then lockers won't help much if none of your tires have traction.
I think the situation is what determines whether you get lockers or you get a winch. If you're out with buddies, get lockers. If you're by yourself, get a winch. Just my $.02
I understand that you think it is insane, but that doesn't negate that fact that if you're going to be alone, buy a winch before lockers.
Not to change the subject but wheeling alone isn't dumb if you don't go insane. I just explore forest service roads and campsites around here by myself. I don't think many people are trying hard stuff on their own. The solo wheeling I do isn't hard at all. I guess a better word to call it would be exploration.
This read from 4Wheel Mag where they compared various winches helped me when I was making the same decision. Keep in mind there's bias, but I found helpful: Massive Multi-Winch Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
I would recommend at least 1.5x winch capacity of your curb weight.
Keep in mind the winch's pull weight will decrease as you pull in more line.. For example, Engo brand says a 12k winch (what I have) is rated at 12,000 lbs for the first layer of line, but drops to ~6,000 lbs when I'm pulling with 4 layers of line around the drum. So, you have less pull capacity with all the line stacked on your winch.
Engo source: http://mediacdn.shopatron.com/media/mfg/5150/media_document/4538/LargeWinchINST.pdf?1299773251
You'll need to decide:
- brand
- capacity
- rope vs wire
I went with Engo as its founded by Drew (President), the former COO of Mile Marker Winches. As a new brand, they're cheaper.
I also chose synthetic rope (more expensive) vs wire, because I wanted less risk of line snap and the winch hook going through my windshield. Also, wire rusts. I drive in wet/sandy environment.
people smack talk smitty but my buds have had no problems with them , i recently bought this one , just waiting to install once i get new bumper on .people will say china this and that and warn is in bed with china to. smitty has come along way . Smittybilt XRC GEN3 Winch | The New Standard in Winch Innovation , i got the 12,500 / i researched alot
i went with rope because 2 years ago i was helping bud get out of some concrete mud . my dumbass did not have chain mesh gloves on to prevent cuts , well from there i dont know what happened but i heard a pop and saw blood running off my hand . 42 stiches to fix and i still have nerve damage in thumb. steel cord popped swung around and fish hoo gouged across my hand thumb was hanging on on barely
#1 Lockers front and rear make a huge difference. I am in FL and almost all 4 wheeling here is about mud, mud holes crossing deep muddy water, etc... In my book lockers front and rear are one of the best jeep upgrades out there.
#2 For just "2-3 times a year" I do not think you need the same winch as the guys doing several hard rock crawling trips a year. I would suggest getting front and rear bumpers that each have a 2" receiver. Then buy a Harbor Freight 12,000lb winch and put it on their 2" receiver mount winch plate. I see several advantages to this set-up:
Winch can be stored in the garage until duck season (keeps it looking and working like new)
Winch goes on or comes off easily in minutes
Can winch from front or rear
If needed you can put it on another vehicle (any that has a 2" receiver)
I have used this setup for over a decade for cleaning up after tropical storms/hurricanes and general tree work. It was very affordable and manhandles big trees and big limbs easily. Every time I break it out and put it to work I am amazed at how capable it is.
With all that said an "installed" Warn, Smittybuilt, etc... winch is a much better choice for Jeepers that frequent harder trails several times a year and may need that winch a few times a day.
#1 Lockers front and rear make a huge difference. I am in FL and almost all 4 wheeling here is about mud, mud holes crossing deep muddy water, etc... In my book lockers front and rear are one of the best jeep upgrades out there.
#2 For just "2-3 times a year" I do not think you need the same winch as the guys doing several hard rock crawling trips a year. I would suggest getting front and rear bumpers that each have a 2" receiver. Then buy a Harbor Freight 12,000lb winch and put it on their 2" receiver mount winch plate. I see several advantages to this set-up:
Winch can be stored in the garage until duck season (keeps it looking and working like new)
Winch goes on or comes off easily in minutes
Can winch from front or rear
If needed you can put it on another vehicle (any that has a 2" receiver)
I have used this setup for over a decade for cleaning up after tropical storms/hurricanes and general tree work. It was very affordable and manhandles big trees and big limbs easily. Every time I break it out and put it to work I am amazed at how capable it is.
With all that said an "installed" Warn, Smittybuilt, etc... winch is a much better choice for Jeepers that frequent harder trails several times a year and may need that winch a few times a day.
I bought an Xbull, much better than Badland for $400.
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