Smittybilt XRC 8--$299.99
In the Box: It's the least expensive automotive winch we tested, but that didn't limit the goodies. For the price listed, Smittybilt includes the winch cable, roller fairlead, winch and fairlead mounting hardware, a forged hook, battery leads, solenoid pack and mounting brackets, instructions, and a remote with red and green LEDs.
Quality and Installation: You've got to install the solenoid mounting brackets yourself, but otherwise the installation is the same as every other winch without an integrated solenoid pack we tested. Our unit had a crack in the body right next to the clutch engagement lever, but it didn't affect the performance of our winch. As it would for any customer receiving damaged goods, Smittybilt offered to replace the unit, but we determined it unnecessary for our testing.
Function and Performance: As the least expensive Jeep winch, we had to make sure it wasn't the cheapest. As a result, we were harder on the Smittybilt than any of our other test winches. Frankly, we got medieval on it with repeated and brutally hard back-to-back pulls. The XRC 8 never stumbled. While the motor doesn't share the same solid, sure sound of some of the other winches (bystanders asked us if there was something wrong with it `cause it just plain sounds funny) it has it where it counts; pulling ability.
Notes:
*Two ways to mount solenoid pack included (above drum or above winch motor)
*Instruction illustrations grainy and hard to read
*Styrofoam packing material had melted and glued itself to some rubber parts of the winch
*Clutch engagement lever very easy to engage, but wobbly
*Motor sounds labored and funny like a Buick 225 odd-fire motor
Bottom Line: Tough little inexpensive workhorse.
Tabor 9K--$623.99
In the Box: Surprise-Tabor is really a Warn product. It's no big secret and if you're the leader in the world of winches, why you gonna hide? The Tabor 9K comes with a genuine Warn remote, Warn roller fairlead, cable, forged hook with safety pull strap, instructions, battery leads, solenoid pack, and standard SAE (not metric) mounting hardware.
Quality and Installation: Sure it's the most expensive, but damn, what a quality winch. Although the winch mounting feet are a bit deep and allow the captured bolts to fall out (you've gotta be able to keep a finger on the nuts until the bolts are started) the installation is straightforward and easy. The components look and feel of quality and the construction is nice and solid.
Function and Performance: It's the fastest of the bunch and the motor just makes sweet winch music. The response from the remote is crisp and controlled. The clutch engagement is via a small lever that you rotate 180-degrees. Engagement and operation is smooth and precise.
Notes:
*No solenoid mounting bracket included-must be purchased separately.
*Stole bracket from Gorilla Midnight winch for our testing
*It's absurd that a winch of this caliber doesn't come with some sort of solenoid mount.
*Supplied with heavier #2 battery cables (most other winches tested supplied with thinner #4 cables)
*Consistent, beautiful performance
*Ability to use standard Warn remote advantageous if you lose or damage your remote (beg, borrow, or buy a new one almost anywhere)
Bottom Line: It's not the cheapest, but it's worth every penny.