For me, 90% of whatever winches use that I do get, is going to be skidding logs, dragging dead animals out of the barn, pulling trees over this-away instead of that-way... But mostly skidding logs. I don't know if that matters as far as winch choice goes...
They won't let me wheel in the local club because my Jeep doesn't have lockers. So I don't really wheel (yet) like most people would think.
I took a long, hard look at my undercarriage today. Doesn't look like the traction bar (the one that goes diagonally) was relocated. There is no relocation bracket etc... Looks like the stock location. What issues could this cause?
All the 8 bushings on the front track arms look solid, nothing rattles jiggles etc. I would say everything looks real solid. Yesterday was driving on a muddy gravel road and it was almost uncontrollable, its like the jeep wants to dart all over the place when it hits them...
I guess the "I don't wheel that hard to need a big name winch right now" argument would be valid (in my opinion) if there weren't big name winch lines at affordable prices. So say you DO get a cheap winch, $200 or so and you do barely use it and it's great for pulling out dead animals, people, whatever and skidding over logs and it works every time etc...that's great, prob best $200 bucks you spent. BUT, there will come a time when you probably will want to start wheeling more, especially if you already are taking the jeep off the asphalt AND you probably will find your own spots OR find some other club that doesn't have such an "elitist" rule regarding "Locked 4x4 Only" (screw them) and at that point you don't want your winch being the weight that holds you back, meaning being on the fence about going because you feel like you would need a better winch. The second you buy a better winch, you can add in the cost of the original cheapo winch and you ended up spending what a high end winch would cost...bad fiscal decision in my opinion.
Oh, and let's say you DONT ever want to wheel more than you already are, let's say you hate the thought of more challenging obstacles for your jeep and you are happy just skidding over logs and using that winch for the tiny little pull over a tough log, or pull down from one if you get caught up..the day that winch fails you, the time, energy and $$ (all together or combination of those variables) spent getting you out will, in my opinion be again greater than the cost of a cheapo winch.
Lockers are pricey when you add in the labor cost. You could go cheap and go with an Aussie locker, but then once you crack open that diff most ppl will ask you why u didnt go ahead and regear. Lockers also won't get you home. Get a good brand winch, save up if you must. Your jeep will always be able to get you home and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that even if you don't readily wheel hard, you know that if you should one day try...that winch will be able to save you. Warn VR. Superwinch 9500 series (9k or 9.5k cant remember which they make) or higher end Smitty
Trackbar issue: I ran stock t-bar (still do actually) but i relocated the rear one because it came with the Rough COuntry kit. My front is a bit off, probably an inch or so, so i will probably get an adjustable at some point.
