Question by Brad: What size winch should I get for offroading/mudding?
I have a fairly stock 1980 Jeep CJ7. Its got bigger mudding tires and a 2″ lift. I don’t go offroading much, but I’m hoping I’ll start going more. I used to go with my friend, me in my offroad edition jeep patriot and him in his FJ Cruiser. We sold those cars though, and I’m just now trying to get back into it, but I want to be able to wheel with only one car since I don’t know anyone else with another.
Anyway, I had a 2000lb rolling stock winch (yeah, really) that I used for work that I took and used on the hitch. It worked fine the one time I needed it… however, I know that won’t be sufficient long term, and therefore I want to buy a more-permanent winch.
I’m looking at a 3000 LB, a 5000 lb, an 8000, and a 10,000. I know a lot of the guys run 8-10ks, but I dont think my frame could even handle that much pulling force, so I was thinking a 3 or 5k could be sufficient since I’m fairly risk adverse.
I was just going to go cheaper now. I have a great job and could afford to spend money on this car, but if I end up wheeling a lot this summer I’m going to just sell it and buy a pre-built one. I only spent $ 600 on the jeep.
I can get a 3k winch for about $ 175, and a 5k for $ 300, give or take. Think I could get by with a 3k? Do I need a 5k? or do I really need to step up to 8k?
I would have said 8k if I didn’t have so much luck with the 2k rolling…
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by ronnny
It is hard for me to remember all of the things about this. But the 2000 you have now is rated at like the first row of wire wound on the drum and gets less each time you add a layer. When you get really stuck you will need a lot bigger than that. For now you can use a snatch block and double the pulling power but will take twice as long to pull the same distance. The reason a lot of people go bigger is for a better line speed to get out quicker. A 5000 should be enough for what you will be doing but get a block so you can double your line if you ever need it. And have enough strap to get to something to get you out. Sometimes it can be a bit off. The more you play the more you will find what you want to carry. Just play safe. If you get to small of one and work it hard will just not last as long as it should.
rd
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