I have run the both Smittybilt X20 and the XRC 12K Gen3 both excellent choices and zero issues. Many hard pull with both winches. The Gen3 will easily keep up with Warn winches. Smittybilt also has proved to have much better customer support.

As for Synthetic vs steel.
-Synthetic is stronger
-Synthetic is lighter and easier to handle
-Keep the synthetic line clean and avoid abrasion situations and synthetic will last for years.
-Depending on the synthetic line you choose, it is also easily on trail spliceable .
At the end of the day the choice is yours. Many people that play in the rocks still prefer steel for its abrasion resistance.


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"But is the extra few hundred dollars really worth it compared to Smittybilt and Rough Country?" YES. I had a smitty steel cable prior to my warn. I will give them good credit for holding my a$$ over the cliff on TOW and the integrity of it overall. Their wiring set up (unless it's changed in the last few years) was meh, had wires get caught in the steel cable and that was not pretty. The free spool would barely ever engage (took some finicking with the controller selecting in and out for it to pop into free spool). My warn has been wonderful. Well designed, simple, FUNCTIONAL wow. The wiring and cable work is very cleanly done and you don't have to wire it all up like you do we you first get the smitty. Take it out of the box and set it on and do the rest, no need to add extra to get the power and grounds all figured out.

When it comes to steel versus synthetic, synthetic is top dog. I have a synthetic now. Synthetic is obviously lighter which is a bonus.

 

What would be a good warn winch if I were to go this route?


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@E_Rodes I'd say a Warn Evo 10s is a sweet spot for most people.

 

Check this out. Review From Diesel Brothers...

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Cool, will do


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Diesel Brothers have a financial relationship with SmittyBilt. Im not saying dont get a shittybilt but Im just pointing out that the video isnt an objective review.

 

Good to know.. Thanks


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I used my old XRC10 pretty heavily the few times I used it. Used my XJ with XRC to pull out a Super Duty on 38s (with help from another Super Duty with a strap yanking on him), myself from frame deep mud, my brother's 86 F350 on 33s, and the Ford Focus that tried to follow us out into the lakebed. My JK came with a Warn 9500 lb. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but have every confidence it will be up to the task.

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Well, the winch didn’t fail through all the crap he put that Jeep through.


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I know there are definitely other forums for this but I couldn’t find any that gave a clear answer. I have narrowed it down to the Warn evo VR10s and either the Smittybilt x20 (maybe the Smittybilt xrc but I think x20 is a nicer one) should I go with the the bottom of the barrel Warn winch or top of the line Smittybilt?


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You’ll definitely pay less for the SmittyBilt. I have the X2O 10k for my JKUR. Happy with the purchase/performance. The wireless remote is great. Does the Warn wireless remote have the dongle that needs to be plugged in? The SmittyBilt wireless is built in.

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The new Smittybilt XRC Gen 3 is even stronger then the older models with the new 7hp motor.

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Unfortunately up north here the Smittybilts stand up better to the elements, that’s fact. Customer service to Warn from Canada downright sucks. All service requires us to ship the winch to the US to be repaired on our dime. For the cost of shipping back and forth I can buy another winch. So, I hope you guys have better customer service.

Does Warn warranty the finish on a Zeon.? Pretty sad to see a 2 year old Zeon with all the black powder coat flaked off.


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