[ixl4]

I know some that have them and have had no problems...

I will most likely not even use this winch, but like the extra security on the Jeep.

Its 299 and it comes with a universal mount...
does anyone know if the universal mount fits a 97-02 Jeep?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40764

[FlyersFan2009]

I have all of the above.

The universal was not universal for my 97. I understand the HF makes one for the TJ.

I had to drill 4 new holes in the plate to match it up to the 4 holes from the tow hooks. Not a major deal if you have a drill press.

After that the install was rather brainless. If you have any questions about the install, PM me.

Jon

[Parts_Breaker]

I know 2 people who have them and I would recomend spending a little extra and getting the roller fairlead. The hawse sucks with steel cable and gets chaffed easily.

I think for $30 you can get the 3 year replacement guarantee so if it fries you get a new one. Check the harbor freight ad because I have seen them on sale for $259 before.

[ixl4]

$259 would be freaking awesome... I think I will; get the Jeep Mpunt for $39 and definately the roller fairlead...

For once in a while use theyre ok right?

[racinghoss]

If you are just getting it for looks then go for it (I guess ). However, if you wheel much then it would be worth spending more money to get a higher quality winch. Look around for a used Ramsey or Warn, you might be able to pick up a much better winch for not much more money. I picked up my winch Warn XD9000i with the roller fairlead and mounting plate for $600. It looked like it had barely been used.

Besides, having a HF winch that does not look like it ever gets used just screams poser .

[FlyersFan2009]

Originally Posted by ixl4

$259 would be freaking awesome... I think I will; get the Jeep Mpunt for $39 and definately the roller fairlead...

For once in a while use theyre ok right?

I got both my Uni-Plate and winch for 280.00 + tax.

I forgot to tell you about the fairlead for 29.00.

People are going to give you a 1000 opinions about this winch. It's not the best winch but if you know what you're buying and you know there's no guarantee, then go for it.

When I can afford to I'm getting a better winch, but the regear has to come first. I'm kinda like you and wanted it just in case I need it (God willing it works) and to complement the other mods to my Jeep.

We get what we pay for

By the way, check out this How-To:

http://www.jonfund.com/technical/techphotos/winchtech.pdf

The instructions you get with the HF winch are terrible at best.

[ixl4]

I honestly don't care if it screams poser, as I am not one... check my wheeling pics and avatar... but with all my wheeling, I've never been in too tough a situation to not be able to get out of except once (I guess it just takes a good driver ... and that was stock. I live in illinois so its mostly forest driving. Not much of anything else around these flatlands.

If I wanted one to pose or look good on my car, i'd buy a plastic one that looked real, and I'd accent it with mad chrome.

I am just wondering if you have it. If you don't have it, please don't call it a poser mod, because obviously you've never tried it. It does not have to be Warn to get you out of asticky situation. In fact, if that is what you think... you're just following a crowd wihouth much thiking of your own...

For those who have this winch... many problems?

[FlyersFan2009]

Originally Posted by ixl4

I honestly don't care if it screams poser, as I am not one... check my wheeling pics and avatar... but with all my wheeling, I've never been in too tough a situation to not be able to get out of except once (I guess it just takes a good driver ... and that was stock. I live in illinois so its mostly forest driving. Not much of anything else around these flatlands.

If I wanted one to pose or look good on my car, i'd buy a plastic one that looked real, and I'd accent it with mad chrome.

I am just wondering if you have it. If you don't have it, please don't call it a poser mod, because obviously you've never tried it. It does not have to be Warn to get you out of asticky situation. In fact, if that is what you think... you're just following a crowd wihouth much thiking of your own...

For those who have this winch... many problems?

I did a big search of both this forum and JU before I bought mine and found the consensus was 50/50. Not very good eh?

Like a fool I did it anyway and hopefully I'll never need it. I live in MI and we got some deep mud and a few rocks but for the most part it's sounds similar to IL wither regard to the terrain.

I say get it. If it breaks your out 300.00. The bad part is if it breaks while you're wheeling and you need it, you're screwed.

Good luck.

Jon

[ixl4]

I think they offer a 2 year warranty for like 40 bucks on those, so if it catches fire they replace it

[jeff62301]

Originally Posted by ixl4

I live in illinois so its mostly forest driving. Not much of anything else around these flatlands.

what part of IL?


I'm new to "jeeping" but I will say that the one I have was rather inexpensive, and has been used several times arlready. I think you might be surprised at how often you have a chance to use it.


I was at the compost site, found some logs I needed for a project right on top of the pile,,, i was planning to hook the winch to some that were bigger and / or down in the pile and yanking them out.. if I hadn't found the ones on top of the pile

[racinghoss]

Originally Posted by ixl4

I honestly don't care if it screams poser, as I am not one... check my wheeling pics and avatar... but with all my wheeling, I've never been in too tough a situation to not be able to get out of except once (I guess it just takes a good driver ... and that was stock. I live in illinois so its mostly forest driving. Not much of anything else around these flatlands.

If I wanted one to pose or look good on my car, i'd buy a plastic one that looked real, and I'd accent it with mad chrome.

I am just wondering if you have it. If you don't have it, please don't call it a poser mod, because obviously you've never tried it. It does not have to be Warn to get you out of asticky situation. In fact, if that is what you think... you're just following a crowd wihouth much thiking of your own...

For those who have this winch... many problems?

Whoa, slow down. I was just kidding around (isn't that the reason for using smilies?) about the poser comment. No hard feelings.

I have seen many Warn winches in action and have never seen one fail. Even hearing stories about them failing are rare. However, I have heard of several of the HF winches not working properly - mostly follow ups on the Jeep boards.

I lived in central Illinois for a long time and found several situations where a winch was needed. Do you ever travel to Ohio or Indiana or Missouri to wheel? There is actually some topography in those states (or even in southern Illinois) that is alot tougher on a winch (pulling up a slope, etc).

Where in Illinois are you?

[ixl4]

Originally Posted by racinghoss

Whoa, slow down. I was just kidding around (isn't that the reason for using smilies?) about the poser comment. No hard feelings.

I have seen many Warn winches in action and have never seen one fail. Even hearing stories about them failing are rare. However, I have heard of several of the HF winches not working properly - mostly follow ups on the Jeep boards.

I lived in central Illinois for a long time and found several situations where a winch was needed. Do you ever travel to Ohio or Indiana or Missouri to wheel? There is actually some topography in those states (or even in southern Illinois) that is alot tougher on a winch (pulling up a slope, etc).

Where in Illinois are you?

Hey no hard feelings
I just see too many posers around here that havent got a clue and it pisses me off, but I guess they're happy.

I am in northern Illinois by Chicago but I sometimes go to Indiana to wheel. I also go west to around Galena. There are some nice spots around there.

As far as needing the winch, the only situation I can think of around here would be some fallen tree or big branch that I needed to move out of the way to pass...

I don't do much rock crawling and do about 30% mud.

I am sure that once I have a winch I WILL find situations to use it in.

I heard some stories of those things catching on fire and that sucks. I honestly do not have the money to plunk down on a warn.

I gotta start all over, since I got rid of the Jeep for stupid reasons, and now am buying another one. I plan on putting another RE 3.5 kit on with some 33's as those were all I needed for wheeling around here. I would like a winch this time though...
Badlands in Indiana for example... I would have gone on some tougher trails but they REQUIRE you have a winch or they wont let you on.

I don't know what to do... get a used more reliable one or get that cheapo one and have some security. I honestly don't think they are THAT horrible.

But if you say chances are 50/50 that it will fail, then there is no question of their horribility.

Just trying to get some ideas before I make a purchase

[Jay-Mac]

In that case is it just as easy to make your own plate? Get some 1/4 in steel and cut a rectangle and drill the wholes? Think thats what I'm doing if I get my winch this weekend


EDIT: Reffering to the harbor freight winch mount.

[ixl4]

Originally Posted by Jay-Mac

In that case is it just as easy to make your own plate? Get some 1/4 in steel and cut a rectangle and drill the wholes? Think thats what I'm doing if I get my winch this weekend

Yeah. Those winches come with a universal plate... I figure I will just drill the extra holes in it... It will fit right on the bumber right? Will I need longer bolts or are stock ones sufficient?

[chitownjeep]

[QUOTE=ixl4]Yeah. Those winches come with a universal plate... I figure I will just drill the extra holes in it... It will fit right on the bumber right? Will I need longer bolts or are stock ones sufficient?[/QUOTE]

I bought 1 up at the H.F. in Arlington Heights in Dec., I went in there and told them I saw it on the internet cheaper than the price in store of $299.00. They gave it to me for $269.00. I got the extra year warranty for $30.00 as well. I also used the universal mount, my buddies dad has a little machine shop set up in his garage so he milled it for me and made some small spacers for underneath the mount so it was level with the bumper. We used the stock bolts but I did take the tow hooks off in front, we felt that it wasn't enough with them on. Hope that helps!

Tony