Winch or SFA parts?

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:36 pm

So after doing a gnarly snow run Sat and seeing my buddy use his winch over and over again because the other guys with winches took off, I am seriously considering picking up a new winch. I was going to get a used Warn one a while ago but it was a front mount and wouldn't have worked on my bumper. The issue is that the winch will cut into the SFA funds. I would be upgrading my battery to a yellow top and getting synthetic line for the winch as well to conserve weight, so those will also eat up more fundage. What does everyone think?

Winch

or

SFA parts

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:41 pm

winch if you plan to wheel before surgery... SFA parts if you don't

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:42 pm

A winch will help you get out of the places the eventual SFA takes you....

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:44 pm

InCommando wrote:

A winch will help you get out of the places the eventual SFA takes you....

So wait for the winch, when I'll really need it?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:46 pm

yeah, like I said, If you plan to wheel before the swap, get the winch... But if you don't plan on wheeling, do the sfa parts than do the winch later

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:46 pm

I'd get it now as you could use it now & then. It will be more sueful when you have SFA, so it is not wasted money.

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:49 pm

True, but one of the reasons I haven't bought one and until very recently didn't even really consider buying on was because 90% of the guys I know with them have used them like 1-3 times in the years they have had them.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:55 pm

Inc wrote:

True, but one of the reasons I haven't bought one and until very recently didn't even really consider buying on was because 90% of the guys I know with them have used them like 1-3 times in the years they have had them.

I always thought I needed one, until I got one, I have only used it to unspool steel and spool on syn line. :roll:

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:00 am

Wheeling in FL where practically every trail is under 3ft of water during the rainy season and deep mud the rest of the time, I found myself using my winch every outing.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:01 am

i would buy the winch.. it can be used with or without the SFA..

as far as syn. line for saving weight.. i think weight is a good thing to have.. especially that far out over your front wheels. i know hills i couldnt get up before i now walk up with 200lbs of bumper/winch hanging out there... why do you think front wheel drive cars (and old vw beetles) go so well in the winter? all the engine weight over the wheels

my winch has got me and others out of several pickles.. however i wheel in a lot different terrain than you do.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:06 am

well how close are you to an SFA swap? i think that is a key factor.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:07 am

KJ kyle wrote:

well how close are you to an SFA swap? i think that is a key factor.

Well I'll be farther away if I buy a winch and curious why that is the key factor.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:11 am

will the money for your winch and stuff be enough to complete your SFA swap? or are you a while from doing it. also if you decide to put the money into savings fr the swap and you get stuck alone one day your going to be regreting it.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:13 am

KJ kyle wrote:

will the money for your winch and stuff be enough to complete your SFA swap? or are you a while from doing it. also if you decide to put the money into savings fr the swap and you get stuck alone one day your going to be regreting it.

Good points and if I was only a few hundies away from finishing the SFA project I would just finish it and pick up the winch. Good point about the time I do need it, will I have it, though.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:14 am

and how good of a deal are you getting on the winch? that prolly wont be there later.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:16 am

KJ kyle wrote:

and how good of a deal are you getting on the winch? that prolly wont be there later.

The winch has cost $300 and I assume will cost close to that from here on out because it has cost that much for quite a while. Who knows though. The line would be another $150-$250 and then a yellow top for another $150 or so.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:17 am

Inc wrote:

KJ kyle wrote:

will the money for your winch and stuff be enough to complete your SFA swap? or are you a while from doing it. also if you decide to put the money into savings fr the swap and you get stuck alone one day your going to be regreting it.

Good points and if I was only a few hundies away from finishing the SFA project I would just finish it and pick up the winch. Good point about the time I do need it, will I have it, though.

it's nice to have when you need it that's for sure.. however i find myself trying things i wouldnt have prior-winch because i know i can get myself out if i get stuck/break something. so in a way a winch just provokes you to do more

you end up telling yourself "whats the worst case situation.. i have to winch myself out.. sure i'll try it!"

plus i'm dying to see a winch on your bumper :twisted:

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:15 am

I think you should get the winch instead of the SFA. You can always use the winch with the SFA. As to how do you mount the winch, well you can either buy a new ARB bumper of install a front hitch receiver and mount the winch on it.

I don't yet have a winch on my KJ but I do have one on my YJ. One of the primary reasons I bought a winch was because I often go on solo trail runs. It's paid for itself many times. I've used it a lot to rescue myself and my buddies that I wheel with.

As my experience on the trails has increased I find I use it less & less. In fact many people I know with winches seldom use them.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:18 am

LibertyFever wrote:

As to how do you mount the winch, well you can either buy a new ARB bumper of install a front hitch receiver and mount the winch on it.

I'm gonna guess you haven't seen a pic of my jeep. :wink:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:57 am

The SFA is going to cost a lot, so in my opinion the cost of a winch is pennies compared to the whole picture. I’d buy the winch if you really felt you needed it. I really doubt it’s going to hurt the SFA fund too much. However, you might shoot yourself next week when you find an excellent deal on a SFA part but unfortunately you spent the money on a winch instead. You know what I’m sayin’? I’m an investor, so I think differently. I always buy if I see a good deal. Basically, I look at projects as investments instead of budgets.

Winch or SFA parts?

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