For starters, any winch that gets full of mud is going to have issues....some deal with it better than others.
High mounts are cool winches...
I'd go a highmount on my zook if it didn't weigh 50kgs. For a jeep it would be marginally more justifiable.
A low mount tigerz11 12000lb is physically similar in size to a warn xd9000. A tigerz11 12000lb with rope comes in around 26-27kgs inc control box and cabling. These sell for $799 currently free ship.
I've had a ARB magnum/Warn Tabor 9000lb on my zook for around 3 years of use when it was actually running. (4 yrs inc 1 year sitting in garage without motor)
I installed a 4.6hp warn motor onto it when the original motor blew due to lack of maintenance by previous owner. The only reason I installed a winch was at the time I only wheeled with patrols...who always seemed to get stuck.
I rate the Tabor as one of the better winches out there in respect to price, quality and availability. The only gripe is the shitty little clutch lever switch that is almost impossible to turn espeically in muddy very cold conditions. this is easily fixed by fitting an xd9000 clutch lever, just drops right in. Other thing to consider is lack of drum sealing against water/mud/dust etc.
So you need to maintain it, IE install a breather into the motor seal up the drain holes (TIP = Jeeps mount their winches differently to GQs, Cruisers etc Make sure the motor drain holes are located on the bottom of the winch otherwise water gets in and can't get out again sure fire way to send the motor to warn heaven in the express lane), end of the trip spool out rope and wind in again to heat up motor to dry out internals, pull it out and grease once a year.
The tabor comes in at a touch above $1000 dependent on where you look. only $200 more than a tigerz. So definitely a contender which comes with the warn reputation and parts and warranty backup.
Some food for thought
