Questions about winches...

[Njtool]

I’m building an 87 CJ7 and my son wants me to put a winch on it. I have a few questions...

I rarely plan on using the winch much. The Jeep will be my daily driver and to be honest I want a winch too.

So my questions... what size winch is suitable for my Jeep? I like warn and I would like rope, not a steel cable. I’m building my bumpers then I’m having them galvanized so I would like the bumper and winch plate built ASAP. Can I find mounting hole patterns for whichever winch I decide to go with? Any suggestions on bumper/winch plate design?

And the budget is kinda tight. I’ve seen winches for around $600-$700 and I would like to stay close to that.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Well first they stop making the CJ in '86 next you shouldn't need anything bigger than 8000 pound winch and if you get a Warn get the plate from them also for a CJ or YJ if it is a '87. That is what I have on mine and it is a pretty easy install.

 

[Njtool]

I must have fat fingered the year. I have a 1985 CJ7 . Lol

There are lots of warn 8000 pound wenches. Are some designs better than others?

 

[j6824]

I must have fat fingered the year. I have a 1985 CJ7 . Lol

There are lots of warn 8000 pound wenches. Are some designs better than others?

I’ve recently been researching them as well here lately, and have learned that the VR series by Warn is made in China, while the M series are domestically produced...or at least the parts are.

The Zeon series are their highest end offering, I believe

 

[Belizean]

I’ve recently been researching them as well here lately, and have learned that the VR series by Warn is made in China, while the M series are domestically produced...or at least the parts are.

The Zeon series are their highest end offering, I believe

M8274 is the cream of the crop for CJs.

 

[Njtool]

That’s interesting about the geographical production differences. I will look into that more.

The m8274 is way out of my price range

 

[Belizean]

For sure on that !

 

[jp360cj]

The m8274 is way out of my price range

I've got a little under $450 in mine, including the mount (~$100), not counting the $100 I got back from my selling my HF winch.

The M8000 is a good winch that will fit your needs and doesn't cost much more than the VR8

 

[Njtool]

The m8000 looks nice. Can you get it with rope instead of steel cable?

 

[jfmcj7]

The m8000 looks nice. Can you get it with rope instead of steel cable?

Yes. it is the M8000-S and cost about $870 new.

 

[Torxhead]

Harbor Freight sells a line of winches:https://www.harborfreight.com/9000-...-with-automatic-load-holding-brake-63769.html. Here is some advice about using synthetic cable, especially if you don't plan on using it a lot:https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/3-hidden-dangers-in-switching-your-winch-to-synthetic-rope/. Expensive winches are just faster and use more amps.

 

[mtnwhlr]

This is mine and I love it

 

[Njtool]

I briefly considered the harbor freight line of wenches. Thanks for the links. The article about the synthetic line was interesting and something to consider.


What’s the beat way to mount the winch? I’m building my bumper, would it be wise to integrate the winch into the bumper? Can anyone share pics or design ideas??

 

[mriplaybass]

I know that the Harbor Freight winches get a lot of bad remarks, but I have had the same one on for almost 3 years now. I have done full cable pulls through deep mud, pulled other stuck vehicles out, even done a little stump pulling around the house. It does not have any kind of cover, so it does get exposed to rain when I am out wheeling. It has never failed me yet. I only paid $299 for a 12K winch (way over kill, a 9K is probably enough). I figure I have already gotten my $299 out of this winch, so any additional time is a bonus.
https://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/79-cj7-they-re-coming-take-me-away-aha-24761/index4.html

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Been run'n a WARN 8274 since 1977. They have AMC 150 ' of cable. More than any other.
Stay with cable and just spray it with silicon spray a couple of times a yr.
The syn. rope does not hold up well in abrasive environments.
You can transfer the 8274 from one rig to the next, with different mounts.
For the last 33+ yrs my 8274 has been on my '85 CJ7
Buy'n a cheap winch, doesn't save anything in the long haul.
LG

 

[Belizean]

Been run'n a WARN 8274 since 1977. They have AMC 150 ' of cable. More than any other.
Stay with cable and just spray it with silicon spray a couple of times a yr.
The syn. rope does not hold up well in abrasive environments.
You can transfer the 8274 from one rig to the next, with different mounts.
For the last 33+ yrs my 8274 has been on my '85 CJ7
Buy'n a cheap winch, doesn't save anything in the long haul.
LG

LG since you live out in the desert, and I have been out there and sometimes trees are hard to find, do you carry a 100 lb Danforth anchor?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

LG since you live out in the desert, and I have been out there and sometimes trees are hard to find, do you carry a 100 lb Danforth anchor?

No-
That's why you never go jeep'n alone......
Have put a strap around a large rock and hooked my cable to it, more than a few times.
LG