Okay, like the title says, I would like to get a winch for my 4Runner. I've got a TJM T-15, so it would need to be a model that fits that.

Problem is, I know ZERO about winches (except how to turn them on/off). While out on the trails, if I ever got stuck or needed a lift over a rock, I was always surrounded w/ other 4wds that could just winch me out or over obstacles if need be.

Now though, I figure it's time to invest some money in a good winch (w/o breaking the bank) of my own. So basically, which winches would you guys recommend I get to fit my TJM and where are some good places to buy? I know I want to trade out the steel line for a synth line, just don't really know what else is involved with the swap besides unrolling it and rollng the new one in. I have also seen some incab controls and would prefer something like this rather then getting out everytime I needed to use it.

Also, feel free to direct me to any websites that go in depth on how to operate/maintain a winch and/or how to install them. Like I said, I'm a newb when it comes to everything about a winch.

 

Love my warn M8000. Inexpensive and reliable as hell. Get that, a tow strap, and snatch block, and you'll be all set for some serious pulls (think fullsize dodge out of FL mud)

www.winchdepot.com usually has good prices or deals on shipping, too.

 

Ramsey Winch has an excellent 12 MB video.
www.ramsey.com

http://www.ramsey.com/automotive/video.html

Also Bill Burke's DVD "Getting Unstuck" is worth buying, he goes into great detail on how to use a winch, D ring shackles, and all of the recovery equipment you could haul with you.

http://www.bb4wa.com/products/DVD.htm

I have the vid, well worth it.

 

PS, also be sure to look in the YotaTech Wiki
I started a recovery gear section in there a month or so back.

https://www.yotatech.com/wiki/index...._Proper_Use_Of

 

Tough to beat the m8000 for its price and more importantly Warn's reliability. On Toyota mini trucks, Jeeps and other lighter vehicles these work great.

My M8000 is almost 7 years old, used it quite a bit this year and still running strong.

You should be able to pick one up for about $500.

 

WARN M8000 with synthetic line
Look and watch 4WP for them on sale with free shipping. Saved me 300 on my 9.0 RC.

 

Thanks everyone, I'll definitely look into both the ramsey and warn m8000 winches.

Corey, thanks for the wiki and dvd reference...I probably need to check out both.

Brian, do winches come w/ syn line already installed or is that something I'm going to have to swap out the steel line for no matter which model winch I buy? Just curious if I need to buy syn line seperate.

 

Now as far as how the winch mounts in the TJM, how is that done?

Also, what about the rollers that mount on the front bumper to guide the line in? Do these come with the winch or is that another purchase?

 

I have a TJM and i also have a warn M8000 winch, it works great, i didn't know anything about winch's before i got mine but iv heard of warn and i knew they make a good product. the (M8000) winch bolts right in the TJM, The roller fairlead came with the winch, But like wabbit said go with the hawse fairlead and a synthetic winch line.

 

T-Max...

 

Yeah, I have the M8000 in my TJM too. I don't know if your bumper mounts the same as mine but it was a pain to get in there as it fits very tight and seems like all the bolts are hidden when the winch is in place. I ended up having to remove the whole bumper to get the winch in there and bolted up.

On the syn line it's probably something you'll have to get separate. There are a few models I have seen that come with them but they were all the ridiculously priced rock crawler winches.

 

*hijack* I'm in the market for a Winch too. Do you have a T-Max? The prices are not that bad. What is you opinion on their winches?

Andy

 

IMHO, a winch (all recovery gear for that matter) is a life/death piece of equipment. It can NOT, EVER fail.

Warns are expensive for a reason - they're worth it. There are a number of other good winches at better prices, though - Superwinch, Ramsey, TMaxx.

Since using a Warn 9.5Ti, anything with a slower line speed really irks me now...

 

I don't have one YET on my Runner, but all the 75 LC's I drove on the ranch in Australia were equiped with T-max's except one that had what appeared to be the OLDEST Warn know to man( and it was running flawlesly if you were wondering) T-max's are AWSOME... Never had any overheating problems (in 116f heat) the newer models are just improving massively on an already very well made piece of equiptment. You can't go wrong with a Warn (being from Portland where they're made, everyone here in the PNW runs them) but I will be going with the T-max because of the submersibility, the great heat management, and cause if it's from Australia it can probably handle anything (seriously, I think were pretty hard on crap here in the NW but OZ is one of the toughest places I've ever been)

Warn or T-max, I wouldn't even bother with anything else but that's just me ya knw

Cheers and No Worries

Dave

 

Hey, Bill!

I have a MileMarker PE8000. It works just fine. Not quite as fast as a Warn, but it was quite a bit cheaper, too. They offer a wireless remote winch controller for around $200. That way it can be in or out of cab control.

As for syn winch line, this is what I am looking at.

Viking Fireline

Course, you'll need a new fairlead, too. And IDK about the TJM, but the ARB bumpers won't fit a standard Hawse fairlead (winch sits too far into the bumper), you need to use something like this:

Fairlead

 

or add the cost of the winch and the wireless controller and just buy a better winch?

-Mike (is not a fan of milemarker winches. My M8000 outpulls my buddys MileMarker every time).

 

For info on the Ramsey Wireless Remote, I installed it on the old rig, and now have the same one on my Warn XD9000.

Lot of links too in my post below on info about the Ramsey Remote which works with just about any winch.
https://www.yotatech.com/50364885-post85.html

 

What's up Jamie! Hope you're doing good.

Well, I've been doing some research, and I think I'm going to go w/ the Warn M8000.

Thanks for the link for the syn rope line though. Def want to get that in the future. (wow, had no idea that stuff was so expensive)

 

Thanks I'll look into that.


As far as fairleads go, I'll probably go with the Hawse. Is the black model better than the aluminum model or are there 2 different models just for looks?

And I know the fairlead mounts on the outside of the bumper, but what sits in place between the inside of the bumper and front of the winch? Seems like syn rope might get caught on some of the edges of the inside of the bumper? Or is this just something I'm "over thinking"?

 

Hey, a MM is better than no winch at all, right. I got this one used, and have only had it a short while, but I have used it several times already with no issues. It pulls my big 05 DC with no problem. I'd like to have a Warn or a T-Max, but I also need some skids and a rear bumper to go with a winch. Gotta spread the money kinda thin on my budget.

I'm just saying good enough is good enough for me. With the lower cost of the MM, he could actually afford Syn line and a new fairlead at the same time. The lower weight and added safety of the syn line, imo, is greater than the piece of mind regarding winch longevity or being able to out-pull another winch. Especially considering the same money spent on each.

Again, just my opinion.