[Duck Dodgers]

Originally Posted by corralhollowkid

I have read this thread from beginning to end. I just bought one of the XRC8 Winches from 4wheelparts.com


I don't really like those guys...their attitude SUX, and I just sat on hold for over 25 minutes and STILL didn't get the info I wanted.

$299.00 and free UPS shipping was too good to pass up! I hope I get one of the new 5.5hp series wound motors, or I may send the thing back! Thanks for all the good info!!!

I ordered mine through our local 4WParts store over the phone. Apparently the online store and the actual locals are kinda different. Had mine in 3 days. Notice that the gear box was making some funky noises when I powered out the cable under a load. 4Wparts gave me the run around so I called Smittybilt and they shipped a new gear box out that Thursday and it was here on Monday. I have no complaints about Smitty ... but 4Wparts..... well they are well.....

[corralhollowkid]

Originally Posted by Duck Dodgers

I ordered mine through our local 4WParts store over the phone. Apparently the online store and the actual locals are kinda different. Had mine in 3 days. Notice that the gear box was making some funky noises when I powered out the cable under a load. 4Wparts gave me the run around so I called Smittybilt and they shipped a new gear box out that Thursday and it was here on Monday. I have no complaints about Smitty ... but 4Wparts..... well they are well.....

I know. I also bought my Swampers from them. I ordered them mounted and balanced, and delivered. When they arrived they were not mounted. I had to drive 2.5 hours each direction to the nearest store. The "asst manager" had told me I did not need an appt. Just bring them in and they'd mount them while I waited.

When I arrived the "asst manager" was out of the building, and I was treated like CRAP. I bring in $1,400.00 worth of tires and I'm promised they will "Make it right" and they treat me like crap, AND they make me kill 4 hours before getting to my tires. I'll see if this last order goes any better! But for now...IHTG!!!

[Muddeprived]

This kinda blows though. 4wd hardware recently teamed up with 4wheelparts. What i'm hearing on the forums about 4wheel parts' customer service is the complete opposite of 4wd hardware. They guys at 4wd are the best and would never treat customers like that.

[CopperCJ7]

I just did some research into winches. Warn, Superwinch, etc charge more for NAME and history or warranty ONLY. Back in the day, Warn was the best - period. Basically, ALL winches made today are either made in China or made from Chinese parts. Many winches are rebadged from other manufacturers. In my case, it's a rebadged T-Max winch. All the wires still say T-Max on them.

In my situation, I went with the (2nd Generation) XRC-8 Smittybilt winch. Now, before you shake your head, hear me out. When the XRC-8 was originally released, it had a pitiful 4.1 hp magnetic motor. They re-released it (April 08) with a 5.5 hp series wound motor. The price stayed at $299. Since I don't use the winch every day and since I'm not in the habit of pulling Hummers out of the mud (it's more fun to sit back and watch Hummer owners freak out).



Then you might ask, how many pounds of pulling do I need. If you drive CJ or Wrangler, 8 thousand pounder is more than enough - especially if you use a snatch block. If you drive a large Dodge pickup, go with 10 or 12 thousand. Make SURE you have a higher capacity alternator to handle the extra amp draw.

Also make sure you have a snatch block, gloves, extra d-rings, tow strap(s), tree saver, etc.

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by Muddeprived

This kinda blows though. 4wd hardware recently teamed up with 4wheelparts. What i'm hearing on the forums about 4wheel parts' customer service is the complete opposite of 4wd hardware. They guys at 4wd are the best and would never treat customers like that.

4 Wheel Parts owns 4Wheel Hardware now... they also bought Smittybilt. In fact, they own quite a few companies.

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by 2000TJDude

Can someone explain where each of the wires from the control box (solenoid) actually go. I received my XRC8 Sans the installation manual. I know that the long red lead goes to power (battery). I then have a 3 "heavy" gauge leads (yellow, black, red) that are short with ring ends. Obviously 2 are for the motor. There is also a thin gauge wire as well. Any help is greatly appreciated.

A series wound motor has one more wire than a magnetic motor. The one thing I HATE about the Smittybilt winch is the LAME manual. It seems as if the vague instructions were translated from Chinese into English. I still have no idea what one of the pieces is and I have no idea how the solenoid was to be mounted onto the left side of the winch housing. I wound up mounting it to the top rails.

[Devildog985]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

A series wound motor has one more wire than a magnetic motor. The one thing I HATE about the Smittybilt winch is the LAME manual. It seems as if the vague instructions were translated from Chinese into English. I still have no idea what one of the pieces is and I have no idea how the solenoid was to be mounted onto the left side of the winch housing. I wound up mounting it to the top rails.

What did you use to mount it to the top rails?

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by Devildog985

What did you use to mount it to the top rails?

It came with two (silver) mounting bars for the rails. I'm not sure how the solenoid would be mounted to the left side housing though. Anyone? Bueller?

I mean it looks like I could use two hose clamps to mount it to the left side, but that would look tacky.

[rallynut78]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

It came with two (silver) mounting bars for the rails. I'm not sure how the solenoid would be mounted to the left side housing though. Anyone? Bueller?

I mean it looks like I could use two hose clamps to mount it to the left side, but that would look tacky.

There is a small black mettle bracket that mounts it to the side. i don't like the look of that so I'll be mounting it to the top too (it's sitting in my office, just waiting on the correct mount plate)

[20min_2Rockies]

Originally Posted by rallynut78

There is a small black mettle bracket that mounts it to the side. i don't like the look of that so I'll be mounting it to the top too (it's sitting in my office, just waiting on the correct mount plate)

Like this:

[CopperCJ7]

Thanks for the pics Rallynut. You have the first generation model - it's a magnetic motor. I don't have the mount or the two screws for that mount. Look at mine - I only have the two allen screws for the top rails. You have those and the side mounts screws. Maybe the series wound version is a top rail mount only.

[rallynut78]

Originally Posted by CopperCJ7

Thanks for the pics Rallynut. You have the first generation model - it's a magnetic motor. I don't have the mount or the two screws for that mount. Look at mine - I only have the two allen screws for the top rails. You have those and the side mounts screws. Maybe the series wound version is a top rail mount only.

Not my pics, they're 20min_2Rockies. I do have the 2nd gen model and the bracket looks a bit different but it's the same idea (it came with both mounting options) . call smitty built and see if they'll send you the bracket! there should be a pic in your crappy insruction manual that comes with the winch that will at least give you an idea of what it looks like.

[robplumm]

Feel better I wasn't the only one that thought the manual was worthless. Outside of wiring instructions, it tells you exactly nothing.

I couldn't figure out exactly how the silver brackets would be used to secure it to the top of the winch. Well, I could match up screws to holes on the bottom of the solenoid, but how the heck do they secure inside of it?

I ended up mounting it to the side with the black bracket.

[CopperCJ7]

Originally Posted by rallynut78

Not my pics, they're 20min_2Rockies. I do have the 2nd gen model and the bracket looks a bit different but it's the same idea (it came with both mounting options) . call smitty built and see if they'll send you the bracket! there should be a pic in your crappy insruction manual that comes with the winch that will at least give you an idea of what it looks like.

The first generation's solenoid is flat on the bottom. Generation 2 has these curved red brackets that don't come off. Yes, it's the same curvature of the housing, but the 2-piece silver clamps also clamp onto the red brackets as well.

I just don't see how the solenoid would attach to the housing in the generation 2 models.

[redhatman]

I tried for a while trying to mount it on the rails, finally said screw it and mounted it on the side. Problem solved. Its holding well so far.