winch brand question

It all depends on what kind of winch you want and what space you have etc ie: some bars will only fit warn 9000 low mounts so you are limited to that....

However, if you are not limited to that or a high mount winch then look at other brands.
After pulling apart a warn low mount, I can't see any other winch being built any worse.
After sales services and spares is good however and I don't know if you would be able to get spares for other less known brands.

If you go for a warn low mount, go for the XP, at least it goes somewhere towards water proofing, the nonXP are designed to take water and rust....

Have a standard ARB style steel bullbar. Bolts to the outter edge of the chassis tube so should be able to fit the bigger winches with the wider motor such as the 9.5 XP but thats probably overkill for my needs.
The price difference between the 9000lb Magnum and the 9000lb Warn is $500 simply because it uses the Bosch motor so one wonders how much the other components are overpriced.
The problem may be in the servicing though as you say.

Thanks GU

Truckie,

I had a Superwinch X9 dealer fitted to a Hilux in 2000 - it did a fair bit of work - not overkill, but it functioned flawlessly. Always in the elements etc and often got dunked - never failed. The only problem was that it had the old fashioned control box with only three wires - so it was possible to short it out to make it work - problem as other posts with the vandals.

Now got a 10000 Warn on a 100s - only been on the truck for 18mths - already had a solenoid fail - pain in the butt when you've got 30m of cable out....And as the other post says - their aren't water or dust proof at all (there is an optional seal kit but I haven't looked at one of these)

But being a Warn it was easy to source parts and have it fixed ($45 for a solenoid). It does 'pull' harder - but it is rated for an extra 1000 pounds - and seems to be geared slightly lower than the X9 - but if I was going to get another winch for a hilux I wouldn't hesitate to go with a Superwinch.

My 2c worth,

Tim - Stratford.

truckie,

I don't know what I'm talking about because I don't have a winch and have never used one.

Having advertised my qualifications (or lack of) I have read enough on this forum to become an instant expert.

From what I have read, it would appear the Warn, whilst being a good winch, suffers if submerged and for this reason I would suggest you take a look at the Brawn Winch which is supposedly waterproof.

Your last sentence says it all.
"I wont be using it everyday, but when I do its gotta work"

Check out the following Posts:-

Post 23001

Post 11479

I've had two OX hydraulics on three different cars and have found them to achieve all that I need of them, over and over, without fail.

I have just finished installing my first winch which falls into same use you need . Fitted a 12000lbs Iron Man distributed by JSW Parts - pick up thru' Repco Stores .

Stripped it down to check out the internals and added Loctite 567 to gearbox end cap and lithium grease to spool selector lever base to aid waterproofing . Mounted control box on a trick waterproof foam gasket 12mm thick with underbonnet circuit switch & spool lever .

Could not find any breathe holes on elec.motor though . Iron Man are helpfull with mounting details etc. and carry spares .

Fabricated a separate mounting bracket for winch & fairlead leaving standard steel ARB bar in place .

I,ll advise the results after a trip into Vic. h/c next fortnight - if there is any tracks open ????

I picked up a TJM Ox 10000lbs winch from TJM Geebung in Brisbane, only $1095.00. More than happy with it. Not the quietest out there but has worked when I have needed it, and also when my mates have needed it as well. I think they have it on there site at the moment www.tjmgeebung.com.au

Hope this helps.

Roger

Chech out the Premier winch, they get a good rap in tests and have done me proud, not a bad price too, got mine thru Brown Davies in Bayswater