FINALLY ive got the money for a winch and all the goodies. First mod since the rear locker 5 months ago!

ok so ive been doing my research, and ive come up with the following setups:

1) m8000 with 5/16 x 100 rockstomper synethic rope
3) xd9000 with 5/16 x 100 rockstomper synethic rope
4) hs9500 with 5/16 x 100 rockstomper synethic rope

also, as far as hawse fairleads go, the two best ones ive found are

1) armorology
2) spidertrax

any combination of the above would be acceptable...just looking to get some feedback. price really isnt TOO much of an issue, but id like to keep the total bill for winch/rope/fairlead for 1000.

also ill be having the local shop (carolinarockshop) fix my tjm bumper mounting, and add plenty of bracing; because ive read how the tjm's strength in winching at angles comes in to factor, so what type of bracing should i have them do? the idea was just to have them add some 3/16" steel at certain points, but im not sure which points those would be.

thanks for the feedback!

 

I like the 9.5ti - nice fast linespeed!

Good choice on the synthetic line. Be sure to get a "safety hook" (picture here)
https://secure48.mysecureorder.net/o...bb7b7e666fdc97

I haven't seen the TJM mounting, but would think you need to gusset the support structure to better transfer side loads to the truck's frame (instead of bending the mounts sideways)

 

If you chose the HS9500 go with 3/8 x 100, the line spools up much better than 5/16.......


As for fairleads, Marlin Crawler's is similar to the spidertrax, but has both openings radius. Either which choice you'll still need to trim the TJM opening, since the fairlead doesn't line up properly.

 

thanks for the feedback.

as for as these winches go....compared to the m8000, are the 9.5ti and hs9.5 really worth the extra money? i mean, im getting the winch so that i can pull myself, and my other friends out....speed isnt really a factor, and as long as it does the job, and lasts forever (which its a warn, so it will!!) should i shell out the extra 100 or so? because in my eyes, i see i get the m8000, and spend the 100 i saved on...a snatchblock and some tow straps/tree saver....or just get the extra speed....hmm

what is everyones opinion on the worth of the extra speed? which is really the only advantage i see to getting the hs9.5 and 9.5ti instead of m8000.

 

i got a mile marker 9500 on my truck and it does the job. i have used it so many times and each time it never lets me down and it only cost me 553.00 ant my local 4wheel parts store. and it came with a maunting plate which let me make it in to a multi mount whinch

 

If you are going to be hard on it, go to 3/8's.

There is no reason to get one of the 9000's. Either go cheap and simple with the 8k or go bling with the Ti or XP.

I run the XP and like the no load line speed when self extracting while driving.

I have used it hard with 3/8's synthetic from Rockstomper and would have it no other way.

 

The argument for the 3/8s line is it spools nicer onto the drum which helps keep it even and it packs better. 5/16s has a tendency to cut in to the spool when it is pulled in under load when the previous wraps aren't packed tightly. When the line cuts into the wraps it starts to wrap over itself funny and it can be a big pain to get it back out.

3/8s is naturally stronger but you can only spool a shorter distance, which can matter if you wheel in open areas. I've seen 5/16s break after rubbing through some of the strands and the chafe guard. 3/8s might have broken too and it is so much more costly.

As for winch speed under no-load I'd say that it is only worthwhile if you winch a lot. When you get close the drum the fast no-load speeds can be downright scary compared to a 8000.

"snatchblock and some tow straps/tree saver....or just get the extra speed"
If it's either or go with the accessories. Those are needs versus bling.

Geoff

 

I like my M8000- I agree, line speed is not critical unless you are doing it alot. I have 3/8 wire, and carry an extra 3/8 cable and chain to winch greater distances. I've winched with both styles of Warn, and I don't mind the slower pull on mine. It definitely gets the job done, and I can spool my cable back up carefully and neatly under no load.

 

jeff,

i appreciate the input. as a newbie to the winching world, i like hearing from people who have experience with different ones. in my case, i feel that speed really isnt a factor, just needs to get the job done, everytime. and i feel the warn m8000 is a great choice to accomplish this.

i still havent decided whether i want the synthetic rope or not. i definately know of the advantages, but there are several disadvantages/reasons i wouldnt get it. these reasons are:

1) it would be about 200, including fairlead...i need my front windows re-tinted, and would like to get the rear ones a little darker
2) bruce mentioned ill need to get the tjm trimmed up a little, although this wont cost much and really isnt that big of a deal, its a negative
3) putting the synthetic rope on involves taking off the cable that comes with; what if the shop i have do the job doesnt put it on right? personally, id rather trust something straight from warn than an altered aftermarket product

just looking for a little more feedback in terms of synthetic rope....in my case, do you think its worth it?

 

I cannot provide an opinion based on experience with synthetic rope. I have read discussions on here about it as I will need to replace my cable soon. Here's my opinion on cable- it's very strong and if you treat it correctly, will do what is rated at for sure. I personally would not replace my cable with synthetic until the cable became unsafe (mine is getting close). I choose to use cable over rope because I have friends who work offshore and can get me a good deal on it, as cable is all they use on the boats.

I am sure there are some synthetic users here who can tell their experiences and the pros and cons of this type of wire.

 

Synthetic is a lot easier to handle, period. It doesn't kink, birdcage, crushed, get broken wires that poke, or have that curled set to it. It makes my multimount a good 20lbs+ lighter and you don't need gloves.

I replaced a wire rope that had all of the above problems. It was worth the price for a synthetic replacement. If I had a new wire rope I might have waited until that was damaged enough to warrant replacement, which if used seldomly will be a while.

Mounting a synthetic can be more problematic since the lug terminals don't stay on very well and like those for wire rope have zero load capacity. Synthetic is also very slippery. I cut off my lug and added an eye splice that I looped back into around my drum. In theory my synthentic can't come off my drum even without the minimum 8 wraps unless it fails. (not that I'll spool it out that far)

Synthetic will fade from the sun even though it is coated for UV protection, this should lower the strength eventually(years later). Thus I keep mine indoors when not on the trail. Synthetic does have more problems with wear and thus is more likely to fail on the trail. Unlike wire rope you can fix a synthetic line on the trail and splices are just as strong. I have even done it.

Only you can decide if you will use it enough to warrant it.

Geoff

 

geoff,

thats the answer i was looking for. i think in my situation, it makes sense to just use the cable that comes with it and not bother with putting a synthetic rope on.

it just makes sense, because of the amount of use the winch will be seeing, to just keep the m8000 the way it is.

thanks guys!

hopefully plan to get some pics up in a month or so, whenever i get it put on!

 

I have 9500Ti - I agree MOST of the time speed is not a factor. However.... I did have one time where speed made the difference between my truck making it up and rolling. Just a thought. When you are very precariously perched and you are inching your way up and then repositioning the truck and then inching up again... it can help.

 

molly,

i wont be putting my 4runner in a situation like that. i do appreciate the input though!

 

Andy - I will add my personal experience to maybe help you make a more confident decision. I've been in your shoes before and getting users feedback can help ALOT to make one feel more confident in their purchase/decision, especially on a high dollar item

I have a M8000 with wire rope on my 86 pickup. I dont think the slower line speed should be a drawback to most recreational users/trail rigs - though I can see Molly's point in some more extreme situations. I really like the M8000...but you cant go wrong with any of the Warn winches...pick what serves your needs and budget accordingly...thats the most important.

The wire rope should be more than adequate, and a year or two down the road if you choose to upgrade to winch rope you can always sell your wire cable/fairlead to help fund the upgrade.

Use the money saved and buy yourself a nice snatch block, d-ring and other necessary items.

 

I've been looking into this also. I'm planning on getting the Warn M8000 that comes with a hawse fairlead and 80' of 5/16" steel cable. Best price I've found is $599 shipped at http://www.truckaddons.com. Then all you need is the synthetic rope if you decide to go that route.

 

Note on syntheic ropes, there are only 1 or 2 winches on the market that are speicifically designed for it.

There have been a number of reports of burnt up motors and denied warrentees because of the synth rope acts as a blanket around the core of the winch makeing it run hotter than with normal wire rope.

Ive pulled a wire rope winch cable many many times over the past 5+ years ive had mine (other winches included).

My personal experience, a faster winch is much nicer to have. I still have not found enough "its so much better at ___" reasons to justify the cost of synth rope.

dont forget to add the addtional expense of a good tree saver, snatch block and couple more D-ring shackels.

 

Good advice- you can have the fanciest winch/bumper setup on the market, but without the right accessories, winching will still prove difficult and dangerous.

northfacer581, you seem to require the same protocol as I do for a winch setup. Something simple but reliable. I think your decision with the M8000 is a good one- keep it stock and continue your research on the synthetics and evaluate your needs. You may find a reason (from experience, or change in your off-roading habits) to justify switching to synthetic eventually. Just be sure you are familiar with proper operating procedures for the equipment you will be using.

 

I would say those 2 items I use 80% of the time. As 1) you are usually in some wired prediciment that required winching in the first place and a simple straight pull just doesnt exist 2) rarely can you get your vehical situated in a way to provide a simple straight pull on your buddy that is stuck.

least thats been my experience in the midwest wheeling. (your results may vary)

 

i definately agree. only one of my friends has a winch, and its a milemarker 6000 hydraulic one....the one time we really needed it, was when no one could get to the front to pull him out, and there wasnt enough room behind him to pull him out backwards. well his winch failed, i dont know if it was due to lack of power (6000 on a jeep xj is cutting it mighty close) or just a crappy winch (he bought it used), but i think it was a combination.

i want to make sure my winch works every time i need it, and i want to make sure that i dont do anything stupid and rush this purchase without knowing every single detail. i have several other things im interested in doing (id like new shocks, new speakers...etc.), but a winch is what is number one, for several reasons. so i really dont wana jump the gun.

the more i think about it, look around, read what you all have responded with, i think keeping the cable rope that comes with it on it. if it breaks, replace with synthetic.

as for the accessories, believe it or not, but this is extremely important to me, and ive failed to mention it, because its a given; no accessory kit = no winch.

i will have to do some hard thinking as to whether i want that extra speed of the nicer model winches warn offers. the more i have thought about it, if im going to spend 650 or so bucks....why not 1-200 more for the extra speed?

has anyone had 1st hand experience with the difference between an m8000 and one of the faster model warns? i know some of you have said that they are clearly faster, but is it really faster?

thanks for the feedback.