ok, got the kick stuck in a bog the other day, 3 hours later, it was back on its way...

gotta get a winch on the truck before going back out, i dont wheel with other trucks most of the time so its me only to get me out. (well, the girlfriend too... )

http://www.superwinch.com/GP3000_3_000_lbs_615.html
canadian tire has them for $130, my only question is are they reliable and is 3000lbs enough... (had the truck up to the doors in the bog... (doors wouldnt open....) made it interesting having the girlfriend get in and drive while i pushed, jacked, dug, and pulled...)

i wouldn't count on that little winch getting you out, that's a 4wheeler wich most likely..  i believe the recommended minimum is 1.5 times the vehicle weight.  it may help but when you're bogged down like that there's a lot more than the vehicle weight that the winch has to content with.  i saw a tracker with a 3000 pounder in some mud, was the 2nd time they used it and it died never to come back to life.  i've seen guys with 8000's have to snatch block cause they were stuck so bad.  look for at least 4000lbs+ and get a snatch block and some extra rope/cables.  personally i have an industrial come along that has worked better then small winches in some situations.

if your gonna try to suck your self out of the mud, i'd go even larger. if your not gonna use it a bunch i'd just go with the harbor freight 8000#. you can find it on sale once a while for $250

I have heard pretty good things about Smitty built winches.  They can take a beating and dont like to quit.  They also have a price that wont make you cringe
http://www.winchdepot.com/PDT430788.aspx

If you were to run an 8000lb winch i don't think you would have a prob getting out of some sticky situations.  My buddy is running a harbor freight 5000lb winch on his 4dr kick.  He got buried up to his frame and that little winch would not do it! 

Amilla

would a 6000-8000lb winch sag my front suspension?

Probably a little bit, especially with a new bumper.  A set of 1" coil spacers from Jeff1997 or some springs from a 4 door (if you have a 2 door) should take care of it.

You could always cut down the weight by running some synthetic line.
Its a lot easier to work with also.

Amilla

http://www.superwinch.com/GP3000_3_000_lbs_615.html
canadian tire has them for $130, my only question is are they reliable and is 3000lbs enough... (had the truck up to the doors in the bog... (doors wouldnt open....) made it interesting having the girlfriend get in and drive while i pushed, jacked, dug, and pulled...)

Princess Auto often runs a special for the Superwinch 8000LB, $449. That would be your best buy. Also look for used ones in your area. You really want 6000LB - 8000LB, and you'll need to make a bumper, or a heavy duty mount that is securely mounted to the frame. A good deep cycle battery is also good to have for a high draw item like a winch.

I have 8000# warns for $695. right now while they last

You could always cut down the weight by running some synthetic line.
Its a lot easier to work with also.

Amilla

I was moving my winch around with the cable off and couldn't believe how light it was.

I was moving my winch around with the cable off and couldn't believe how light it was.


[/quote]  No doubt, a hundred feet of steel cable is heavy, but have you priced synthetic line? Whew! I'm still looking to convert, but only when I can find a deal.

i have a 9000lb mile marker only paid 299 new and it works fine i keep it in the back and only put i on when i need it pulled a full size chevy truck out of the mud

Back when I had my 90 Tracker, I used a 3000# Milemarker and it never failed to pull me or my buddies out. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten at lest a 6000#. I think you can get away with a 3000# if you stick to a name brand like Warn, Milemarker, etc, but if you are buying a less well-known name, you would want something bigger. Also if you do go with a 3000#, make sure to use a snatch block...

I was moving my winch around with the cable off and couldn't believe how light it was.

  No doubt, a hundred feet of steel cable is heavy, but have you priced synthetic line? Whew! I'm still looking to convert, but only when I can find a deal.
[/quote]How much are you looking to pay? I can get Amsteel Blue pretty cheap.

all the shops around here only go with warn.

m8000- 800
m6000-700
tabor 9000-800

and a calmini front bumper at 777.60 plus tax.
all the other winch bumpers from zukination, shrockworks, etc are around 800.
zukination is probably what I'm going to go with just for supporting a local company (30 mins down the road) i love the shrockworks one and would love to see a matching rear but its so far behind i cant wait much longer...

eitherway i want to go with a ZOR rear bumper when they come out (as long as the hitch part is DOT approved (want to seriously tow reliably with it)