Factory Winch Yes or no

YukonCornelius · Jul 14, 2023

84jeepjohn said:
Madonna crash cones,

Sulley · Aug 12, 2023

I have the factory winch. I’ll take a photo of the label in a few minute. I personally like that it’s factory installed, doesn’t require an aux switch or custom electrical wiring, and is warrantied. The fairlead is more nicely integrated into the bumper IMO, and the safety systems are all going to come tuned for a winch. At least in the case of my old Bronco, there was a calibration needed for the airbag systems to correctly accommodate the winch.

Sulley · Aug 12, 2023

There’s not really any model information on the label. Maybe it’s under the winch… here are some pics anyway.

Sulley · Aug 12, 2023

Electrical

onfire392 · Aug 12, 2023

Killer. Mine is ordered with a winch also. When you get a minute, measure from the ground through the center of the wheel cap to the bottom of the fender flare front and back wheels. I’m curious how the new winch springs compare. Should be 41.5” up front.

Noway · Aug 12, 2023

Pro's
* upgraded factory springs to make up for winch weight and not have a sagging front
* seamless integration with the vehicle wire loom by not using an AUX switch
*better cosmetic look , more proportionate gap between winch/bumper/car body
*factory warranty
Con's
* it's only 8k and for how much Mopar charges you can buy 12k , have it installed and still have cash left
Maybe's
*crash cones ( doesnt bother me ) but it doesnt add nor takes anything from the Jeep.

Sulley · Aug 12, 2023

onfire392 said:
Killer. Mine is ordered with a winch also. When you get a minute, measure from the ground through the center of the wheel cap to the bottom of the fender flare front and back wheels. I’m curious how the new winch springs compare. Should be 41.5” up front.

Ground to bottom of the flare extensions is 41”. To the bottom of the flare itself seems like about 41 3/4”.

Sulley · Aug 12, 2023

Noway said:
Pro's
* upgraded factory springs to make up for winch weight and not have a sagging front
* seamless integration with the vehicle wire loom by not using an AUX switch
*better cosmetic look , more proportionate gap between winch/bumper/car body
*factory warranty
Con's
* it's only 8k and for how much Mopar charges you can buy 12k , have it installed and still have cash left
Maybe's
*crash cones ( doesnt bother me ) but it doesnt add nor takes anything from the Jeep.

I forgot about the upgraded springs. I haven’t got anything to compare it to, but it does drive very nice, you can tell it’s firm without feeling stiff. On par with the Fox 2.5”’s I put on my Bronco.

onfire392 · Aug 12, 2023

Noway said:
Pro's
* upgraded factory springs to make up for winch weight and not have a sagging front
* seamless integration with the vehicle wire loom by not using an AUX switch
*better cosmetic look , more proportionate gap between winch/bumper/car body
*factory warranty
Con's
* it's only 8k and for how much Mopar charges you can buy 12k , have it installed and still have cash left
Maybe's
*crash cones ( doesnt bother me ) but it doesnt add nor takes anything from the Jeep.

I priced out a Warn 12k before I ordered and could not find an installed price under $2k with the plate, wiring, etc. Are you pricing Warn ?

guruman · Aug 12, 2023

Noway said:
Pro's
* upgraded factory springs to make up for winch weight and not have a sagging front
* seamless integration with the vehicle wire loom by not using an AUX switch
*better cosmetic look , more proportionate gap between winch/bumper/car body
*factory warranty
Con's
* it's only 8k and for how much Mopar charges you can buy 12k , have it installed and still have cash left
Maybe's
*crash cones ( doesnt bother me ) but it doesnt add nor takes anything from the Jeep.

Looking a this "pros" list....

Do we have a part number for the springs? I consider this still just speculation that there are different springs.

As for "better" integration... my install does not use an aux switch, and the pics of the factory installation seem to mirror my self install... just ran the positive and negative leads back to the battery... nothing else is needed. I guess you could add a big breaker... but it still would not require an aux switch.

Cosmetics?... eh..., matter of opinion. I can't argue with an opinion... but... in looking at my EVO installation.... I'm considering swapping it out for a platinum (no clutch lever).. if I do... I think I can get the whole thing inside the bumper and put the cover plate back on. Completely invisible.

"Factory warranty"... The jeep has a warranty that will not be affected by an aftermarket winch, and if you buy a winch then it has a warranty, either way, both things are still covered by warranty. I also expect the winch "factory" warranty to be pretty limited.... and of questionable usefullness.

As for additional "cons"... since I've done this twice now.....The install is pretty easy, but there can be challenges in getting the lower shield bolts back in place and lined up. there is also the possibility of breaking something in the disassembly and install process. (I smashed the fog light electrical connector on my old 392 when tightening the bumper bolts, and had to replace the connector..)... an d the ever-present danger that you'll accidentally scratch or ding something moving all of the heavy mount and winch components around...

Bottom line for me is that 8k is just not enough in my mind. not when you can get 12k in the same footprint. Sure you can slap in a pulley, but if your only winch anchor is 75 plus feet away.... it won't reach. And carrying around winch extensions is just another hassle in an already tight storage situation.

But... if you'll never use it, and like the rugged look of a winch.... Bob's your mother's brother, as they say.

Jgc650i · Aug 12, 2023

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer here as everyone has their own preferences and to each their own. To reinforce some of what @guruman said, 8K is a good a start and more than some will ever need but I myself would not have been happy with the base 8k winch. I went the Platinum 12S route with filler plates and IMHO think it has more of a clean clean/finished look. Install was not difficult and I’m fine with the Warn manufacturer warranty. I did choose to install the Warn power interrupt and put it on an Aux switch because I prefer to have something between the winch and the battery where power is concerned. That was a choice and certainly not required.

Mouse · Aug 12, 2023

All I know is I would rather have more power and not need it than need it and not have it. We own the most powerful and most expensive wranglers on the market and I have never seen a post on this forum or anywhere else where someone said “I wish jeep used the 5.7 hemi instead of the 6.4 hemi.” so why settle for the lowest rated winch when the highest rated will fit just the same. Sure you can use snatch blocks even multiple snatch blocks but it is just more gear to carry and maintain, more time spent rigging and a higher chance of failure and or injury. by the time you buy all that extra gear you spent the same amount of money as you would have on a higher capacity winch. Most likely the factory warranty on the 8k winch will run out before most people even use it with the exception of a few who push the limits on a regular basis. With that said, none of my comment is directed at any one individual here or anywhere and I could care less how someone spends their money nor do I wish misfortune on anyone, in the end you make the choice that best suits you, your needs and budget.
On a side note, I will be on the look out for factory steel front and rear bumpers for the 24 2 door I currently have on order because in order to get the steel bumper group you also had to buy the 8k winch.

So when my 24 rolls off the line it will be rocking the stock plastic mall crawler bumpers.

Cali392JL · Aug 13, 2023

IMHO It seems like since you're getting an 8K xenon S winch with a synthetic cable, winch plate, all the installation and a factory warranty that it has a pretty good value.

Sulley · Aug 13, 2023

<No factory winch>
Jeep owners: Come on Jeep, why can’t you add a factory winch option?
<Jeep adds factory winch>
Jeep owners: Come on Jeep, quit trying to do everything at the factory, I want to customize this baby myself!

guruman · Aug 13, 2023

Sulley said:
<No factory winch>
Jeep owners: Come on Jeep, why can’t you add a factory winch option?
<Jeep adds factory winch>
Jeep owners: Come on Jeep, quit trying to do everything at the factory, I want to customize this baby myself!

More like:

Jeep owners: "Why only a junk winch as a factory option?, Why not a "real" useful winch?""....

DeadStang · Aug 13, 2023

Forgive my ignorance if it doesn't work, but -- can't you just use the factory winch until it breaks, then replace it with a better Warn using the winch plate, wiring, etc. that was installed factory?

Sulley · Aug 13, 2023

guruman said:
More like:

Jeep owners: "Why only a junk winch as a factory option?, Why not a "real" useful winch?""....

Perfectly good winch. Some people just cant be pleased.

Sulley · Aug 13, 2023

DeadStang said:
Forgive my ignorance if it doesn't work, but -- can't you just use the factory winch until it breaks, then replace it with a better Warn using the winch plate, wiring, etc. that was installed factory?

Based on GVWR, a 8000-9000lb winch is just right for this vehicle (rule of thumb is 1.5 x GVWR). 10,000 or 12,000 is serious overkill, and I’m sure one reason they didn’t consider a 10K. I am sure that Jeep took into consideration the overall weight, towing capacity, suspension trade offs (spring stiffness etc) in the parameters they wanted to keep the vehicle in based on weight and frame strength. It’s also worth noting the 8K has a considerably faster line speed (6.2 fpm vs 3.3 for the 12K), which can be helpful in self recovery. If I had my pick, I might take a 9K (though the Zeon doesn’t seem to come in 9K?) but anything more than that is going to be heavier, slower, and unnecessary.

Anyone who is upset at Jeep for not including a 10K or 12K winch is getting mad at them for not breaking recommended practices for a vehicle with these specs.

guruman · Aug 13, 2023

Sulley said:
Based on GVWR, a 8000-9000lb winch is just right for this vehicle (rule of thumb is 1.5 x GVWR). 10,000 or 12,000 is serious overkill, and I’m sure one reason they didn’t consider a 10K. I am sure that Jeep took into consideration the overall weight, towing capacity, suspension trade offs (spring stiffness etc) in the parameters they wanted to keep the vehicle in based on weight and frame strength. It’s also worth noting the 8K has a considerably faster line speed (6.2 fpm vs 3.3 for the 12K), which can be helpful in self recovery. If I had my pick, I might take a 9K (though the Zeon doesn’t seem to come in 9K?) but anything more than that is going to be heavier, slower, and unnecessary.

Anyone who is upset at Jeep for not including a 10K or 12K winch is getting mad at them for not breaking recommended practices for a vehicle with these specs.

Two points....

Jeep took into consideration the cost. And offered the lowest end cheapest brand name they could.

Nobody ever bought a 12k winch and said "it was just too much", but plenty have bought an 8k, and said "it was not enough", me included

Sulley · Aug 13, 2023

guruman said:
Two points....

Jeep took into consideration the cost. And offered the lowest end cheapest brand name they could.

Nobody ever bought a 12k winch and said "it was just too much", but plenty have bought an 8k, and said "it was not enough", me included

If Jeep was thinking about cost on a $95K vehicle wrapped in leather and luxury, I’d be surprised they’d cheap out here of all places. The 8K fits the spec. Plain and simple. 12K would be unnecessary, heavier, and too damn slow. I’d rather have something that fit the spec. If you need 12K either you’re doing some insane off road recoveries, or using your winch wrong.