Winch advice

[budgie913 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close budgie913]

I know there is a bit of info on other threads on winches but it doesn't get into details on what has been the better buys from end user perspective.

4X4 Action are doing a winch comparison in the next issue but I am keen on know what other Prado users have put on their trucks and what they think.

I Have a ARB Deluxe Bar on my 2009 GXL 3L TD and need the Winch for the upcoming trips.

My end choice will also impact on my suspension set up (depending on weight).

The other factor I have to consider is I tow a Trackabout Camper Trailer.

Any info on set ups with current winches would be muchly appreciated.

Cheers,
Budgie

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: Winch advice

4wd action did a winch comparo in issue 126 (well over a year ago).
i run an ebay special (chinese winch), which turned out to be a TJM Ox copy.
was ok when first got it, but now is heaps better.
was very difficult to free spool cable out, but over time and use it now free spools with little resistance.
obviously built to tight.
i have drowned it many times and it just keeps working.
the cable is looking very average now. but any cable will be the same.
other i drive with, each have different winches; Warn, TJM Ox, Ironman.
all very similar, it's just some spool-in quicker under load than others, but all work when we need them.
we run 9000/9500LBS winches.
if you need more pulling power, double up the cable (double pull).

if you have the coin, go for synthetic winch rope.
reduces weight and easier on the hands during time of need.
easy to re-join on the track, IF you break it.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Winch advice

ive got an ironman 9500lb winch, had it in for about 2.5 years and havent had any trouble at all, its been drowned a few times, cable looks good, i like the wireless remote, it also has std hand controller as a back up, used it in anger a few times up the watagans and other places. its a good thing to have as a back up if i get stuck. overall im happy with the winch, at $850 they are well priced in my opinion. cheers samo

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Winch advice

I would buy a Warn XD9000 from eBay and get it refurbished (Mal Leslie if you're in MEL) then add some rope from the US (winchline.com) then finally fit an Albright solenoid. You can get it to fit into and ARB without taking the bar off but you need 2 people.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Winch advice

I would buy a Warn XD9000 from eBay and get it refurbished (Mal Leslie if you're in MEL) then add some rope from the US (winchline.com) then finally fit an Albright solenoid. You can get it to fit into and ARB without taking the bar off but you need 2 people.

x2
Even if your not in melbourne use Mal Leslie.
Also use a genuine Albright contactor, not a chinese copy.

Leachy

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Re: Winch advice

fits no worries at all, you will find 99% of winches fit the winch cradle. cheers samo

[don1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close don1]

Re: Winch advice

ive got an ironman 9500lb winch, had it in for about 2.5 years and havent had any trouble at all, its been drowned a few times, cable looks good, i like the wireless remote, it also has std hand controller as a back up, used it in anger a few times up the watagans and other places. its a good thing to have as a back up if i get stuck. overall im happy with the winch, at $850 they are well priced in my opinion. cheers samo

does the ironman 9500lb winch fit in the toyota cradle without any issues?

cheers
don1

[budgie913 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close budgie913]

Re: Winch advice

Thanks all for the feedback.

The blokes at TJM up here in Cairns are trying to flog me the Premier 9500lb Which and the ARB Blokes the Bushranger 9500lb.

I've been looking at the ironman as well (good value) but am unsure if it will fit the ARB Deluxe Bar. I'm not to keen to modify the bar to fit a winch, would rather buy the kit.

On another note, is synthetic rope as good as its being made out to be.

Cheers,
Budgie

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Winch advice

Thanks all for the feedback.

The blokes at TJM up here in Cairns are trying to flog me the Premier 9500lb Which and the ARB Blokes the Bushranger 9500lb.

I've been looking at the ironman as well (good value) but am unsure if it will fit the ARB Deluxe Bar. I'm not to keen to modify the bar to fit a winch, would rather buy the kit.

On another note, is synthetic rope as good as its being made out to be.

Cheers,
Budgie

I picked up the 9500lb Bushranger last year and have fitted it with plasma rope. Works well. It's identical to the Premier, right down to the paint colour, signage, clutch handle, power output, etc. I'd swear they came out of the same factory. And about $200 cheaper.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Winch advice

On another note, is synthetic rope as good as its being made out to be.

It is harder to maintain but if it snaps during a recovery it won't kill you like happened recently. Cheap insurance.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Winch advice

I picked up the 9500lb Bushranger last year and have fitted it with plasma rope. Works well. It's identical to the Premier, right down to the paint colour, signage, clutch handle, power output, etc. I'd swear they came out of the same factory. And about $200 cheaper.

They probably all do, the same factory in China.

[VL400 Member Find all posts View Profile Close VL400]

Re: Winch advice

I have a Tigerz11 with rope. Been reasonably happy with it and has worked when needed. The wireless controller is great!

The only issue was it made horrible noises and would heat the gearbox when I got it. It became worse so pulled it apart, the blokes at Tigerz11 were really helpful (to a point) - they sent a new drum and drive shaft. This didnt fix it so looked further and found the gearbox housing had a machining issue and was loading/squishing the planetary gearset. Waited 6 weeks for Tigerz11 to look into this with the manufacturer, ended up fixing it myself by maching the drum. Now got water sealing and no noise

The other thing i noted when pulling it apart was the brake, they advertised it is suitable for rope but it gets mega hot and is in the drum. Was meant to get cooler after using it a few times but is still damn hot, something to think about when winching - let that and the motor cool.

[damonat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close damonat]

Re: Winch advice

does the ironman 9500lb winch fit in the toyota cradle without any issues?

cheers
don1

yes it does.
this is how Samo's is fitted.

[budgie913 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close budgie913]

Re: Winch advice

Had a good read of the latest 4X4 Action mag with regards to the winch comparison.

Was a bit disappointed that they didn't do a comparo on the Ironman winch.

The Premier scored well with a camping trailer on the back and priced at $1350 (price given at TJM Cairns) looks ok.

The Avenger Mako did well, and priced at under $900 wire wire rope is good.

Be interested to hear what other thought of the article based on their experience.

Budgie

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Had all intentions of getting a Premier 9000lbs winch and was told that the Mako winch with the synthetic rope would be better and a bit cheaper. As advised by 4x4 winch results this year http://www.avenger4x4.com.au/library...nchComparo.pdf PDF file is 4.5meg in size (20mins to download using dial-up...who uses dial-up?).