Opinions desired... Smittybilt XRC10 Comp Winch

[Philberto]

1 solution: split-spool winch.

Or could also be possible to use 2 winches if you had the money.

[bgwolfpack]

1 solution: split-spool winch.

Or could also be possible to use 2 winches if you had the money.

TaDa

Two winches

[Philberto]

However, I still think having 1 winch to do everything makes more sense, especially since the only added advantage you'll have with 2 winches is being able to rip the truck apart if you wanted

[bartonmd]

However, I still think having 1 winch to do everything makes more sense, especially since the only added advantage you'll have with 2 winches is being able to rip the truck apart if you wanted

"2 is 1, 1 is none..."

Whinches are machinery... Machinery fails...

If cost is similar (by the time you run the tubes, buy 2 heads, extra cable, etc.), I'm MUCH rather have 2 winches than one... especially if that one is going to be under the truck, subjected to sand/salt/mud/water/etc.

Mike

[OregTrailBlazin]

However, I still think having 1 winch to do everything makes more sense, especially since the only added advantage you'll have with 2 winches is being able to rip the truck apart if you wanted

"2 is 1, 1 is none..."

Whinches are machinery... Machinery fails...

If cost is similar (by the time you run the tubes, buy 2 heads, extra cable, etc.), I'm MUCH rather have 2 winches than one... especially if that one is going to be under the truck, subjected to sand/salt/mud/water/etc.

Mike

If you run two winches why even put them under the middle......?

[bartonmd]

"2 is 1, 1 is none..."

Whinches are machinery... Machinery fails...

If cost is similar (by the time you run the tubes, buy 2 heads, extra cable, etc.), I'm MUCH rather have 2 winches than one... especially if that one is going to be under the truck, subjected to sand/salt/mud/water/etc.

Mike

If you run two winches why even put them under the middle......?

Oh, I'd just mount them front and rear...

Mike

[Trail X]

You can also always winch backward even with a front-mounted winch.

Run it under the vehicle, and through a D-ring (granted you may scratch a few things on your underside):



OR

Through snatch block reduction (although it requires an absolute minimum of 3 pulleys to do it):



Video:

[Philberto]

I still think you'd be hard-pressed to find many people who wheel with two winches "just in case one fails" and they need to use another one. Maintain your equipment, carry spare parts, and have a backup plan, but that doesn't mean you need to go overkill and carry 2 80+lbs winches everywhere you go. I simply propose this as a means of being able to winch front and rear without a) having to count on anchor points that may or may not be there for at least 3 snatch blocks; or b) Moving said 80+lb winch from front to rear, given you have receiver mounts, where there may not be sufficient clearance to remove the winch from its mount (wedged up against rock, dirt, mud, underwater, etc.) Overall, I feel that having a mid-mounted winch (balance the weight of the winch between the 2 axles), running it through frame-mounted snatch blocks/pulleys (No need to worry about finding anchor points, as the vehicle is the anchor), and having the ability not only to pull front or rear, but also to rotate the vehicle in place or slew it somewhere/ drive it along the cable is the best of all worlds, and is only disadvantaged by finding somewhere to mount said winch, and engineering sufficiently strong mounts for the pulleys to route the cable.

Having said this, I plan on bringing this up with Neil when I get down there to fab some stuff, mounting the winch so that it is in the spare tire area, with the top accessible via the underfloor storage in rear, running to a rear snatch block, and then running through pulleys to one of the front frame rails (probably the passenger-side one). I'll let you all know how it goes, but I have high hopes for what is actually a relatively simple setup.

[bartonmd]

I still think you'd be hard-pressed to find many people who wheel with two winches "just in case one fails" and they need to use another one. Maintain your equipment, carry spare parts, and have a backup plan, but that doesn't mean you need to go overkill and carry 2 80+lbs winches everywhere you go. I simply propose this as a means of being able to winch front and rear without a) having to count on anchor points that may or may not be there for at least 3 snatch blocks; or b) Moving said 80+lb winch from front to rear, given you have receiver mounts, where there may not be sufficient clearance to remove the winch from its mount (wedged up against rock, dirt, mud, underwater, etc.) Overall, I feel that having a mid-mounted winch (balance the weight of the winch between the 2 axles), running it through frame-mounted snatch blocks/pulleys (No need to worry about finding anchor points, as the vehicle is the anchor), and having the ability not only to pull front or rear, but also to rotate the vehicle in place or slew it somewhere/ drive it along the cable is the best of all worlds, and is only disadvantaged by finding somewhere to mount said winch, and engineering sufficiently strong mounts for the pulleys to route the cable.

Having said this, I plan on bringing this up with Neil when I get down there to fab some stuff, mounting the winch so that it is in the spare tire area, with the top accessible via the underfloor storage in rear, running to a rear snatch block, and then running through pulleys to one of the front frame rails (probably the passenger-side one). I'll let you all know how it goes, but I have high hopes for what is actually a relatively simple setup.

Again, mechanical things break... I suppose you could carry a spare winch motor, a spare winch solenoid system, a spare winch gear reduction planitary set, and spare cable... but at some point, if you're going to carry spare parts, it just makes sense to carry a spare assembly...

Having said that:

It may be easier to just mount it in front, run a line to the back and mount solid, then use a snatch block in front, or use the line itself from the rear... That's basically what the "line under the vehicle" picture that James is using, is doing... It'll also keep your winch out of more of the crap that the underside of the vehicle is exposed too...

Mike

[Philberto]

I get what you're saying, but I believe the spare tire area is higher, and if I build a tray under the winch anyways, I'll be solving most of the problems with the elements. I also like the idea of the winch in the rear because the springs and shocks back there are designed for heavier loads, and it helps offset engine weight in the front.

[teebes]

The rear tire location seems like the only viable option. Should be easy to tie it into both rear frame members with beefy cross supports. Have you sourced any pulley hardware or rollers yet? That sounds like a major puzzle piece.

One more idea for yea. Use a shorter steel line for your main cable that goes through the various pulleys and frame, then use an accessory syn rope between the moving snatch block and your anchor point. Would help prevent wear through the frame as our members have a few curves and what not. If you get a couple burs in that rope, it might not last that long.

[Philberto]

Pulleys will probably be pulled from Northern Tool or Superwinch Pulley blocks, rated for 10k lbs, just like the winch. The rear snatch block will be a 20k piece from Warn though, and will probably buy one more for use up front. I'm thinking I'll just pick up the regular xrc10 and use cable all the way, taking your advice for some syn rope from rear to anchor. We'll have to see as more gets fleshed out. I'm also thinking of running the cable alongside the rails as opposed to through the rails, but will have to take a closer look at the project before making any final decisions.

[EwingJK]

This thread seems to have taken a different track from what the OP was asking for. He wanted opinions about the performance characteristics of the Smittybilt XRC10. I don't have personal experience with this brand, but I've been looking at it as a possibility, as well as the SuperWinch EPi9.0S. The only negative comments I've read about the SmittyBilt is that it is slow compared to other winches. However, I'm somewhat suspect of the reviews I've read. It seems they are repeated almost verbatim in several different forums, all with glowing praise. But then, the SmittyBilt is only 2/3 the cost of the SuperWinch. However, the EPi9.0S comes standard with a 20,000 lb snatchblock ($100 value), an external brake that won't burn the synthetic line, a superior solenoid system and the best warranty available. I've seen the SmittyBilt for $499 + shipping and the SuperWinch for $775 shipped. I think I'm leaning towards the SuperWinch. Now that I think about it, the SmittyBilt for $499 is the XRC8. I'm not sure what the price is for the XRC10.

[Zero]

Sounds to me like the super winch is the one to go with, if anything for the warranty. Buying products with good warranty makes life soooo much easier down the road.

[HARDTRAILZ]

xrc8 go for 250-300 at the 4x4 Jamborees brand new with extras ususally thrown in. The xrc10's were 350-400.

10 = http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-Smit ... ccessories
With Bing, that is 400 delivered.

8 = http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-SMIT ... ccessories
With bing, 288 delivered

Go through bing.com and search for ipod and click an ebay link, then you can get 10% off the first item you buy with buy it now and paypal. Makes these really cheap.

I only hear good things about these.

I am talking to a guy that is a Ramsey rep and has a rigging business about straps, a winch, new bumper and exoing the front half of my truck. I will see how good he can do on the Ramsey's.

[Philberto]

Current cost for the XRC10 Comp is 549 via 4WheelParts, or maybe it was WinchDepot. $50 from the XRC8. I will also check out the SuperWinch model, because I could always use the snatch block, especially if I end up doing my funky winch line system. Will keep you posted. Oh, and I don't mind the OT bits on this thread, seeing as how it's related to the discussion and I am the OP.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Current cost for the XRC10 Comp is 549 via 4WheelParts, or maybe it was WinchDepot. $50 from the XRC8. I will also check out the SuperWinch model, because I could always use the snatch block, especially if I end up doing my funky winch line system. Will keep you posted. Oh, and I don't mind the OT bits on this thread, seeing as how it's related to the discussion and I am the OP.

They are currently cheaper. I posted prices in post with the above links. 4wheelparts is a ripoff. The comp may be more, but you can get standard and add syn line for less.

[Philberto]

Current cost for the XRC10 Comp is 549 via 4WheelParts, or maybe it was WinchDepot. $50 from the XRC8. I will also check out the SuperWinch model, because I could always use the snatch block, especially if I end up doing my funky winch line system. Will keep you posted. Oh, and I don't mind the OT bits on this thread, seeing as how it's related to the discussion and I am the OP.

They are currently cheaper. I posted prices in post with the above links. 4wheelparts is a ripoff. The comp may be more, but you can get standard and add syn line for less.

Where are you finding Syn line for so cheap? 3/8" Syn is about $200-$250 everywhere I've checked.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I will have to look again, but thought it was about 125 the last time i checked. It may have gone up, but I wouldnt think that much. I planned on not running synthetic since its not that great of weight savings. 20 lbs maybe.

I will look again.

http://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Stuff-SYNTHE ... B002CFHCPW

I will look some but, thats 129 for 92' of 1/2"

[bartonmd]

They are currently cheaper. I posted prices in post with the above links. 4wheelparts is a ripoff. The comp may be more, but you can get standard and add syn line for less.

Where are you finding Syn line for so cheap? 3/8" Syn is about $200-$250 everywhere I've checked.

Oh. My. God. Look at the links he posted... They come with steel cable.

Mike