Shopping for a winch and have been doing a lot of reading.
Wanted to ask you guys, if you really think cable is that dangerous? has anyone snapped a line? or had a bad experience? i like the weight savings of synthetic, but is cable really that bad?
Also, what are focal points in choosing a winch (aside from brand).
Would you prefer more hp, and a higher gear (lower numerically) for speed?
Lower hp, and more gearing?
Total weight capacity?
Battery draw?
Basically, I'm trying to find the best value in a cable winch $400 and under. Synthetic, $500 and under. 8-10k
1st, I'm going to suggest that you do a search here. This subject (the brand, etc... of a winch has been hotly debated).
My stance is that most any dang winch is better than no dang winch.
The guideline is to buy a winch that is capable of a pull 1.5X the dead weight of your vehicle. So for an XJ, that would get you a garden variety 8000lb winch or larger.
All the 8000lb winches with steel line all weigh about 90lbs. And about 40-50lbs with synthetic.
Cables: Keep cables free of crud and salt. I have always lubricated mine with a light spray oil. Very cheap winches come with 3/8" line, the better ones come with 5/16" line. Depends on what you want, a real heavy and hard to deal with 3/8" line, or a reasonably flexible 5/16" line.
Synthetic: Must keep clean and keep out of the sun. UV is your enemy.
Speed: Whatever you can put up with. For years I ran a Mile Marker E8000, or a HF 8000lb winch. These were some of the cheapest China made winches at the time, and they were slow. You could eat breakfast while recovering your rig; however, it was recovered which is more than I can say about the no-winch option.
I got tired of the slow speed option, and presently run a Warn M8000 on one rig and a Warn VR8000 on the other. The VR8000 is a bit slower, but the capacity is there.
I have tried a XRC-8, but though the speed was there, the unit I had pulled out badly. Some folks have better luck and swear by them because of price point vs similar specs to a VR8000.
Whatever you decide, the winch should be easy to use, and should work well mechanically. Lets face it, a winch that won't let you free spool out line is a PITA to use.
Lastly, Battery. Get yourself hooked up with a red top Optima battery in the 1000 CCA range. Even though the newer XJs have a 120Amp Alt, they can certainly use the CC reserve of a reasonably sized Optima to move the load.
For load: Imagine a starter motor at full crank. That's what a winch will pull just before it stalls.
About Winch Safety: See the WARN Website.
http://www.warn.com/corporate/images/90/TechGuide_PN62885-A2.pdf