Best Winch?
 

Ive Heard MileMarker makes good winches but what would be the best winch for the money for a fourth gen ext 4x4 4.0 v6 ranger? I dont need something thats way to powerful but something that could easily pull a ranger around? and which is better hydraulic or electric? Thanks

I believe that MileMarker is made by warn. Same winch just a diff name and the "W" turned upside down. Maybe i am wrong and if i am someone please correct me.

And as for hydraulic or electric, I would search both of them and look at the pro and cons and see what meets your needs. I am going to say that electric is probably going to be what you need.

okay thanks but what lbs winch should i get? 6000? or is that way to much over kill?

Mile Marker works well, 6000 pound will work 8000 would be better and should be around $400.00 if you can catch one on sale.

but dont the ranger only weigh like 4500 lbs? isnt a 6000 lbs overkill or when your stuck you need the xtra power?

its mile marker and harbor freight that are the same.. they look identical, the case, the motor, the selector for engaging and free spooling the drum.

my harbor freight one has worked great! and its pretty cheap
i think the general rule of thumb for the winch rating is weight and a half, i have a 9,000 lb one and its pulled me and numerous jeeps out.

someones going to say warn but i dont think you'll be using it enough to warrent spending that kinda cash, Superwinch and T-Max are also good choices i've heard

Thanks for the clairafacation. I knew they were made by another company.

As for what LBS rating my friends that have winches on there jeeps have 9000lbs and they have pulled them out numerous time also.

I had 3 Wranglers and 1 Cherokee all had the 8000 lb winch, the weigh about the same as a Ranger.

The best winch is the one that pulls you out when you get stuck!

http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetai...artNo=S/B97281

... thats an 8k lbs winch is it any good lol? pretty cheap if it is?

a 12,000 or 15,000lb winch would be over kill, but an 8,000 or 9,000 lb winch wouldn't really be over kill. Wouldn't you rather have the satisfaction of knowing you have the extra 3,000lbs of pulling force if your buried to the frame in mud?

Remember, when your stuck, your not only pulling the weight of the truck, your pulling everything that's in front of you as well.


As for hydraulic vs. electric, our transmissions dont have PTO outputs so there's not way to run a hydraulic winch unless you tap into the power steering pump possibly? or get a new trans. Here's a word of wisdom to the hydraulic winch fans, your engine has to be running for a hydraulic winch to work...

I've done some pretty serious winching operations, and it takes a tole on your battery and charging system. I would recommend at least a battery like an Optima and if you have the spare change get a better alternator if you plan on winching a lot.

yea, but it would also be nice for it to work multiple times :biggthump



just my $ .02 from the real world

Thats what my buddy just put on his Yoda, but he hasn't used it yet. Its a nice small profile winch i can tell ya that.

go over to pirate4x4.com and search around for smittybuilt or that name 'XRC8' and see what you can dig up.



idk how you plan on mounting it yet, but i have that winch plate that someone was selling for a while, PM if your interested

Hydros run off the power steering, Rand (old member) had one on his Ranger. I have both, Warn electric on the Ranger and MM hydro on the Jeep. Hydros have pros and cons, but for me the ability to pull all day at 100% was why I went hydro. They are slightly slower under full load, but I can say I've pulled campers and fullsizes uphill sideways...slowly, but I've never seen the hydro stall. I use mine to log also, so as long as I have gas in the tank I'm still pulling.

As for engine running, if I'm on my roof or under water I've got bigger things to worry about. I've seen more electrical things go wrong with winches than I've heard people stuck and could not get out b/c of no PS. I love my hydro but there are downsides, I just feel the upsides are worth more.

I have a Warn 8000lb and a smittybilt 10,000lb that I just bought, havnt used the 10,000lb yet though. You are about 2 weeks to late, 4wheelparts had a sale on the smittybilt winch's. The 8,000lb was $250 and the 10,000lb was $350. I bought a front hitch for my 93 and a rear hitch for my 04, also bought a multi-mount for the 10,000lb. I will post some pics later on when I get home.

I also bought the 10,000 lb smittybuilt. Haven't installed it yet, but I got it all put together and it sure is sexy to look at.

Here is my multi-mount set up...The front hitch for my 93 was suppose to be in today, but it didnt come in, you can see how I wired it though.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/000_0184.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/000_0186.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/000_0185.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/000_0187.jpg
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...6/000_0188.jpg

Very nice, Sea Bass. I might have to get one of those.

I like how you have the power rigged up. You said Warn makes that?

Ya, its Warn, but the multi-mount is made by someone else. I will get the part #'s and post them, I have the paperwork around somewhere.

please do..i wanted a winch that i can put in the toolbox when not needed

So which would you guys do? Hydraulic is much more water proof right?

just go with electric since you have a ranger.

I went with the T-Max 9000
Summit sells the same winch under their label for a few bucks less.

She pulls like a mofo.
Drag 40 ft park model trailers sideways with it, Have used it alot since I got it and the T-Max is reliable as all get out

http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/winch/5.jpg

http://ontarioranger.gotdns.com/winch/6.jpg

kick ass sea-bass! lol

just remember you can always double line pull with a pulley

Part #'s!!!

This is the place I got it at...ask for Cory, this place is not far from me, so you all may have to pay shipping charges if you get it from them. I'm sure you all have trailer/hitch companies in your area though.
http://www.hitchesforless.com/

Winch Mount- 6495 $73.06

Winch handle kit(Dont need)-6980 $49.95

Link to the mult-mount
http://www.hitchesforless.com/frontmount_main.htm