Topic: Anyone have experience with the Smittybuilt X20 series winch?

[Shamb]

Looking at buying a Smittybuilt X20 series 8K winch, I need it to be 100% water proof and have enough pull to get my 4runner out of a jam if need be. I'm not worried about line speed so much... I can wait if it saves be $4-500

Anyone have experience with this winch?  Pro's/Con's?  and would you recommend it?

IF not what would you recommend?  I'm probably going to by one within the next few days.

[Shamb [OP]]

just bought it, i'll post a review once i test it out.

[locked4x4]

Go warn.  I borrowed a brand new Smitty built for a trip to fordyce.  Electrical screwed up first on it.  Had to take the box apart and had to rewire it every time we wanted to change line direction.  Also it didn't have the power to pull the jeep Cherokee I was with that broke down.  We would have to hook up 2 winches to make a pull.  I'm not a fan of Smitty built after that.

[garlicgabe]

Was it a XC or X20?  X20 100% water proof.  My buddy has run a Smitty with no problems.  Just used a snatch block to double line it on the hard stuff.  Just my 

[Shamb [OP]]

Thanks for the the feed back, yea it's a X20 Gabe.. I was thinking the same thing.. worst case scenario i'd use a snatch block and double the line pull.

I just wanted some peace of mind if I decide to go up somewhere by myself.

[Cali209]

I picked up the same winch about 4 months ago Shamb. So far I only ran it to spool line in. lol

[Shamb [OP]]

May be giving it a work out at Fordyce this weekend, i'll post my results if I get it installed by then.

[OOPS]

According to the Smittybuilt web page the only thing that is waterproof on them is the solenoids.

"It has an oversized, completely waterproof, state of the art 500-AMP solenoid that has the versatility to be mounted over the winch motor"

I installed one on a friends rig when they first came out and it worked great.

Also most all winches are built in the same two factories in China, except for Warn which is made in the USA.

[Shamb [OP]]

That's good to know, well we'll give it a shot and see how it goes. Looks like a decent winch for the money, the synthetic lines worth $200 by itself.

[Nimyad]

I've bought 2 warn xd9000 of craigslist for $400 each and never had an issue. My uncle bought a new smittybuilt and the solenoid died on the 2nd run.

[Cali209]

I bought my Smittybuilt  at four wheel parts and for an extra 50 bucks I bought the life time warranty. So if it goes bad it's covered.