Winch for a Jimny

[Mike57]

This is a bit of an open question but I am going to pick up an Optima Yellow top from Dan and among other modifications like the interior lights, a decent LED reversing light and an on board compressor I was going to install a winch. I had my heart set on a WARN winch but now I know the prices I am wondering if I really need to spend that much money. Dan also has the Avenger brand but what other decent options are there?

I was planning a minimum 6,000Lb winch or up to 9,000 Lb. Weight is important so I want synthetic rope. I have always considered reliability to be paramount for a device which sits on the front of the car subject to all the elemnts and mud and is rarely used.

I know that out driving with the club I won't need a winch but I do plan on going out with other mates in the future and I know I can get stuck especially with the small tyres. It gives me a level of comfort as well to know I have some capacity to self recover.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should look at?

[jonfromhamilton]

I'm right there with you Mike in the idea of having a trump card when you are out away from the mindful watch of the club.

I have a tigerz11 but as Dank will tell you, they need some modifications before being user-friendly/reliable.

The grease in the gearbox makes it impossible to free-spool and I hear some people have swapped the grease with a thinner sticky stuff.
Mine is apart and greaseless while I try research what grease I should use.

the other mod is a breather, just like a diff breather but don't ask me how to fit it into the case, I am still researching that too!

And I am sure I don't have to (OH MY GOD THAT VAGINAL DISCHARGE CAREFREE PAD AD IS ON TV ARGHHH) tell you to ensure your bar is the winch type not the decoration type.

Tigerz11 = cheap with synthetic rope as standard, you get what you pay for but... y'know.

[Mike57]

Thanks Jon. The ARB bar is a winch bar but I do have to get a winch which matches the bolt pattern. There is a huge difference between the WARN and the Tigerz winches in price, they are almost opposite ends of the spectrum. I wonder what is in the middle? Thanks for the advice.

[Jonno]

Tigerz are rubbish, get something decent. (I have a tigerz)

Spend a bit more and keep it for a long time, you can take it with you to your next car. Nothing worse than needing your winch and finding that it doesnt work properly - bad free spools, poor seals and not being waterproof, crap cable/rope etc just buy a warn

I dont think the cheaper warns are really that much more expensive, maybe try importing one from the states?

[mud_muncher]

I have a used 9000 pound Warn I could part with I bought it about 6 mths ago for a project and never got around to using it. It is still wraped up in a shipping box .
It needs the solinoid (use a sealed one) wires, and an a switch (go on board).

If your keen you can have it for $500 pick up mulgrave (comes with steel cable).

[Mike57]

Mud Muncher

I might be interested. I will have to get a price for the missing parts and I think the synthetic rope might be a high price item. I will PM you to get your number so we can talk. Thanks

Mike

[Richardnclark]

Hi Mike,
I have invested in a tigers11 6000lb winch with rope for the Sierra, to upgrade my existing 3500lb winch with steel cable.
What I like is the rope safety factor & weight etc, series motor & price. Every thing is provided ready to bolt in & connect up - simple. There may be some mods to do in the initial installation such as sealing & drain hole etc but with some care up front , regular maint & above all being familiar with the performance of the winch you should be OK in a jimny. You should talk to the guys at Tigers re what maint they have to do on their winches. It is a balance of everything above at the end of the day unless you want to pay for gold that you may never use!! After all you are not planning to winch a toyota truck!

Cheers Richard