Looking to add a winch to the front of my 90 sammi.
What is the minimum strength (weight capacity) I should consider?
Does anybody have pictures of the bumper/wench assembly that they would like to share?
Thanx

On a Rating,

My rule of thumb, double the laden weight of your rig.
Then find a winch unit at or above that number.

Also make sure all your slings, tow straps, snatch blocks are also above this rating.
And a little often winching mistake:
         IF YOU ARE USING A "SNATCH BLOCK" TO A LAND ANCHOR.......
               The equipment AND THE TIE OFF POINT has to be able to hold DOUBLE the laden weight you are trying to pull !!!!

CAPT

Warn Industries' rule of thumb is:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating x 1.5 = minimum pulling capacity.

With that being said, you'll be fine with any 6,000 lb. capacity winch.

Check out our VR8000 winch. It's part of our Entry Level Series. It's available with steel rope or synthetic rope.

http://www.warn.com/truck/winches/VR8000_winch.shtml

We're running a $50 rebate on our winches, too.

- Andy

I'd say 6000# or better. Also make sure it's mounted securely and in as many points as you can to spread the tension. The Sammy's frame is not the thickest hence the light weight. It can and will bend or breack if too much strain is in one place. I recommend strengthening the cross tube between the frame by pounding a piece of 1 1/4" pipe in it and tacking the ends. You have to cut the stock bumper mounts off but you won't need them with a winch bumper. After I re-enforced the tube, I welded tabs from the bumper and bolted  to the tube for more strength.

I've got a Superwinch X6 6000 lb in an ARB bull bar, required modifications , and the control box under the hood

a few things to consider ...

* how often do you expect to be using the winch?
If the answer is "often", then ...
- make sure it has a decent line speed
- probably worth investing in a quality "name brand"
If the answer is "rarely", then ...
- you can likely save some coin getting a slower winch
- might want to run rope instead of cable to save weight.

* rope or cable?
This can be a user preference.
I like rope because of the weight savings and ease of handling and repair.
Rope does need some precautions tho (i.e. not good to have chafing on sharp rocks)

* capacity isn't everything
IMO, I'd take a fast (line speed) 6k winch vs. a slow 8k winch

Just some random thoughts ...

I have a Warn M6000 and a T-maxx 9000, can't get any support on the T-Maxx when working on it.  I like the new Warn with the controls built into the bridge.  Buy one from the company that offers support through a US company, I have never found a good deal on a used one, I bought my Warn new for around $600.

Remember that light is better, them of the rig. A 6-8k winch on the sammi is a waist and adds a lot of weight is the wrong place.

With Warns info you need a 3K winch. Add synthetic line and you can get one for under $150 shipped on fleebay that only weighs 25 lbs.

I run an old Superwinch 9000, it hasn't had an issue pulling me up anything yet.  Front bumper is spaced from the end of the frame, made with box steel:

Remember that light is better, them of the rig. A 6-8k winch on the sammi is a waist and adds a lot of weight is the wrong place.

With Warns info you need a 3K winch. Add synthetic line and you can get one for under $150 shipped on fleebay that only weighs 25 lbs.

3K would splatter the 1st time you buried a Sammy in mud and goo. That might be a good rolling weight number but not a good number when you are out in the boonies and dependent on the winch pulling you out of a spot where no man was meant to go from the beginning.

At least that's my opinion having seen this 1st hand several times over the years. Buy a winch the is at least double your vehicle dry weight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/9000-lb-off-road-vehicle-winch-with-automatic-load-holding-brake-68143.html
$349

Mine looks a bit diff then the one of their website and is labeled "badland".  100' cable, the one above says 85' so maybe a model change... not sure.

Find the 20% off in a sunday paper, added 2yr warranty.   Think it was like $350ish after all said and done.

Home-grown bumper!

http://www.harborfreight.com/9000-lb-off-road-vehicle-winch-with-automatic-load-holding-brake-68143.html
$349

Mine looks a bit diff then the one of their website and is labeled "badland".  100' cable, the one above says 85' so maybe a model change... not sure.

Find the 20% off in a Sunday paper, added 2yr warranty.   Think it was like $350ish after all said and done.

Home-grown bumper!

Yep thats a Mile Marker  / Chicago Electric winch... It's alot of winch for the $$$ and will tug out any Sammy without a groan. You will have to be anchored down though to pull out those F150's that get stuck in front of you though... LOL ;-]

Yep thats a Mile Marker  / Chicago Electric winch... It's alot of winch for the $$$ and will tug out any Sammy without a groan. You will have to be anchored down though to pull out those F150's that get stuck in front of you though... LOL ;-]

I remember it having a wimpy duty cycle rating with like a 15min cool down period or something lol.  I have not pulled myself 100' but I have had no issues out of dozens of pulls.

I can second that you wanna keep an anchor strap handy.  Helping some kids out.. I was even being pulled towards one of those razor UTV things stuck in the mud ha.  I didn't install my wench to pull others tho... it will pull my rig up a tree i am sure.

From what I have seen and experienced it is best to rate your winch so that you can have a chance to recover other vehicles that you ride with. There is nothing more comical or dangerous than trying to use a undersized winch and have a catastrophic failure.

As far as sammi or sidekick self recovery I have even used a come along with great success.