Which winch, too many choices

Good evening, well I pulled the trigger a few months ago and bought the SSO slimline winch bumper and need some help selecting a winch while I'm waiting.

I've done a good amount of research but I can't land on one. So why not listen to the tundra guys/ladies and see what works.

My crewmax tundra has some extra junk in the trunk with the decked box, tools, and a canopy so it's pretty heavy all the time. 34.5" tires, 6112 lift with 5160 rears.

I do allot of fire roads in the PNW and in the winter love exploring in the snow 2-3' a good weekend warrior. However I don't go heavy duty mud boggin, no crazy rock climbs, just some remote trips with the family to find some great camping spots.

The goal is to not need the winch, however I do not want to be stuck out in the cold with the family and wishing I had cell service...

I would prefer a winch that I can remote mount the control box to under the hood due to PNW rain.

Looking at the Warn m8000 it seems like an all around winner, but looking at the Smitty's they seem to be trying to improve yearly and are putting out some great products.

Also thinking about synthetic rope/wire just to save some weight since it is still my daily, but how will that work in the PNW rain?

Also anyone recommend a good starter setup for rigging (snatch blocks, extension straps)

 

I decided to try the new harbor freight badlands apex12k winch that came out last year. I am kinda in your boat where I don’t think I will be doing hard core rock crawling but just to have in case. I just hooked it up this past weekend and liking it so far. I got a deal when they lowered the price last month to $499. I think it’s comparable to a smittybuilt in a similar price point.

 

You will want a 10k or 12k winch for your truck configured the way it is. The most popular answer will be a Warn Platinum with synthetic and wireless controls.

Then the guy will post “don’t get wireless because what if the Chinese EMP you or your battery dies or something”.

Then the next answer will be the new Smittybuilt wireless w synthetic but then they will say it’s Shittybuilt and to get the cheapest Harbor Freight winch you can find on sale.

Then the real pro will say get the superwinch or Engo and don’t look back and Warn isn’t what it used to be and they sold out etc etc.

Hope that clears it up for you.

 

Smittybilt x20 12k. Wired and wireless, great value. I got mine delivered from 4WP cheaper than harbor freight 2 weeks ago.

$734 Smittybilt X2O GEN2 12K Comp Series Waterproof Wireless Winch with Synthetic Rope - 98512

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitt...s-12000lb-wireless-winch-98512/_/R-DSBP-98512

 

I have a 16,000 pound Warn Winch stuffed in the front of my 1979 hunting/Farm truck. I’ve had it for 8 years, used it quite a bit. It works flawlessly. It cost more than the truck. LOL

 

You want synth line in wet regions, it is fishing/rigging line, the metal line will rust easily. I have had winches since before they started running synth line, and when they first hit the market we had just been buying it from fishing supply companies.

I run old school(20 years old) made in US warn on my rockcrawler cause it can be life and death scenarios. I run a smittybilt on my FJ and Tundra. The smittybilts have never let me down, but they are usually only used a few times a year. They all run synth line. The key on all of them is to not mount the damn relay/control box in a place you cant take it apart. That is usually the only thing that fails and if it does, it will be in knee deep mud with no other rigs around. For instance if your “in” relay fails you can take the control box apart and wire the “in” lead from the winch to the “out” relay to get yourself home. Have had to do that on all makes and model winches. Never seen a winch motor fail on the trail, its always the relays or wiring.

 

Get more than you need. At least 12k. Other than that everyone will tell you what they have had the best experience with. Which is different for everyone. I had a warn before but got a good deal on the x20 last Black Friday.

 

Well thank you everyone, after looking around at some of the deals and checking fitment I ordered the Smitty x20 12000. Free shipping and on sale $480. With that price hell I can almost buy two for the price of the Warn m8000.

 

I’d give the SSO folks a call and ask what winch they designed the slimline bumper around.
Then look for some deals, you want at least a 12k winch. Your truck has some goodies that add weight. good luck Sir.

 

Buy an old warn 10 or 12k off CL or offer up and rebuild it. They’re super simple to work on and you’ll know your winch inside and out. Plus you can add on a wireless remote very easily so you have both wired and wireless

 

I have the Smitty XRC comp 9500 with syn line on my first gen. Me and a full tank of gas Is 5700 lbs. Given you are heavier great call on the 12k model. Very happy with mine, really like the wireless control. I want to swap the hook for a factor 55 mount and some more of their accessories and call it good. Haven’t had to recover myself yet but worked well on my buddies 4Runner and Jeep.
Biggest thing is syn line. Safer and lighter.