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Smittybilt XRC8 winch - Opinions from owners

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Old 02-07-2010, 11:29 AM
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Smittybilt XRC8 winch - Opinions from owners

Hey fellas, as the title suggests, I'm looking for some opinions from you guys running the XRC8 winch on their rig. I've ordered my AOR bumper, and while waiting on it to be delivered, I figured I might be able to go ahead and get a winch to mount on it too once it arrives

I've seen tons of pics of them installed on Warn bumpers, AOR bumpers, MC bumpers, but I personally have yet to hear any feed back about the performance and reliability of the winch.

I like the fact that it's so inexspensive, and I'd be going with the competition series with the synthetic rope and hawse fairlead if/when I get one



Pics appreciated too!

Thanks!



Old 02-07-2010, 11:36 AM
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Substitute one key letter H for a M and that is my opinion of them.

Get a WARN.

Old 02-07-2010, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by waskillywabbit
Substitute one key letter H for a M and that is my opinion of them.

Get a WARN.



ummm, wut? lol



I'd go all out for a Warn, but I just don't feel I should have to pay twice the price for something that will suit me just fine keep in mine, mine's not a hard-core off road only rig
Old 02-07-2010, 11:51 AM
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S-ittybilt XRC8 winchSubstitute one key letter H for a M..

Hahaha funny .. I have one , but only used it once and it worked great.

so im not sure that really means anything!!!
Old 02-07-2010, 11:53 AM
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oh I get it now RMA, lol, hahaha...


Is this speaking from experience Wabbit, or judgement?
Old 02-07-2010, 12:06 PM
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Experience. Friend had a brand new crappybuilt that he had on the truck about 3 months, when he pulled it out to use it, burned up the first use. Took him FOREVER to get it replaced and then he just got the $$$ from the store and bought a WARN.

When you need a winch is not the time to hope yours works.

Cheap winches are just that...cheap.

Old 02-07-2010, 12:11 PM
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I ran one on my old 88. I had the 5.5hp version. It was pretty quick. Having owned Warn and Smittbuilt, I would buy the Smittybuilt again in a heart beat.
Old 02-07-2010, 02:54 PM
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Ive had one for a lil while now..Ive used it numerous times underwater, in mud..in muddy water without a problem. One guy on here got his replaced and he says it didnt take too long to get there. I believe you can also go to the 4wd store and exchange it..but not sure bout that one..
Old 02-07-2010, 05:41 PM
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used mine for the first time yesterday, Worked great. drove my truck down theough the 2 pluse feet of snow we got, but got stuck at the bottome where it was blowed shut. the XRC worked great, also got great responce from smittybilt about how to rotate the clutch lever so it didn't hit the truck. I got mine at christmas special for $312 shipped with lifetime warranty, can't beat that, maybe not the best winch ever made (i have no prob with it) but for someone like me who will only use it a few times and can't afford $800 it's AMAZING. Heres a vid of my truck getting stuck, sorry didn't get a vid of the winch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qypMvc2PkZ0

Last edited by yotaluver; 02-07-2010 at 05:43 PM.
Old 02-07-2010, 05:48 PM
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hmm, subscribed. I want to get the xrc8 with the synthetic line.
Old 02-07-2010, 05:55 PM
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Ive used mine about 25 times and never had a problem. Id only get a warn if I this was a trail only vehicle. For the number of times I use it the xr8 is fine
Old 02-07-2010, 06:58 PM
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cant go wrong with a $300 price tag and a lifetime warranty.

im on my second one, beat the hell of it. it still worked when i sent it back, the line was just super hard to unspool.

my free replacement came fast, gotta love that lifetime warranty!
this one has been threw hell and back, and its still working great.
there are a few of uses documented in this thread here, https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...bumper-161531/
Old 02-07-2010, 07:13 PM
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Wheeled with a guy with one on his jeep the other week and he said it worked well, it was just made a little cheaply like the outlet cover fell off and the bolts are cheap and rust and little stuff like that. He said he doesn't mind though and it worked great when he used it...no first hand experience though.
Old 02-07-2010, 07:47 PM
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good stuff guys, this is exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for; the good and the bad

keep 'em come'n!

thanks!



Old 02-07-2010, 07:52 PM
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last i hear the XRC8 comes with a lifetime warranty as well, if you buy it.
Old 02-07-2010, 08:03 PM
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The xr8 is not a bad winch I use it with synthetic line.This is awesome winch. work every time!
Old 02-08-2010, 12:53 AM
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Taken right from Peterson's Off-Road (for the wire rope)
Rated Line Pull - 8000lbs
Motor - 12v 5.5 Series Wound
Gear Train - 3 stage Planetary
Ratio 172.8:1
Wire Rope Dim - 5/16x105
Drum Dia - 2.5x9
Overall Dim - 21.6x6.22x7.28
Mounting Bolts - 10x4.5
Weight - 94lbs
Warranty - limited lifetime mechanical and 1 year electrical
No tests done on this model....

Gonna go out on a limb and say it can't be any worse than my Superwinch LP8500 (way faster due to the 172.8:1 vs 235:1 gear ratio), and I love my wee little baby winch.

April 2010 has a bunch of good info in it, I suggest getting it if you don't already have it....

Last edited by 91 4Runner; 02-08-2010 at 01:04 AM.
Old 02-08-2010, 01:32 AM
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Bleeder I have both a 8k with steel line and the 10k syn rope I prefer the 10k but both of them have been great for me , the 10k pulls faster and is easier to reel up then the 8k and for the $ difference when I got my 10k from winch depot it was $250 with the syn rope , cover and free shipping it was well worth it to me.

Yea I got the lifetime on both and can be used at 4wheel or winch depot since both are owned by the same company that is a plus as well. The 10k so far this snow season I have pulled a DODGE Dually , Chevy Suburban and a Dodge 1500 with little to no strain up out of a few ditches. $550 to my door for the 10k vs. $399 for the 8k was well worth it to me.



THAT SAID I GOT THIS FROM WARN YESTERDAY MAYBE YOU CAN USE IT IF YOU DON'T GO WITH THE SMITTYBUILT(MADE BY SUPER WINCH BY THE WAY)

http://www.warn.com/store/refurbs_all.shtml
Old 02-08-2010, 03:01 AM
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Originally Posted by olharleyman


(MADE BY SUPER WINCH BY THE WAY)

]
It does look similar to my Superwinch

If the quality is close, it will be a great winch...

Dimensions are similar as well (8.5lp vs. 10,000 Smitty)
Smitty
21.15x6.3x96 overall
2.5x8.8 drum
Super
21x6.3x8.6 overall
2.5x8.8 drum

But there is a huge weight difference (with steel cable)
Smitty 94lbs, Super 76lbs

Last edited by 91 4Runner; 02-08-2010 at 03:09 AM.
Old 02-08-2010, 03:17 AM
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i've got one and used it a few times, it's been submerged, and still works great. it's a rebadged T-Maxx, not the same as when they first got going, they were MM then, and they sucked.

i got mine for $280 shipped with the uber lifetime warranty


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