RdNkBrt Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 what size winch should i buy to pull the soobie out of trouble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phizinza Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I'd say no smaller then 4500lb. My brother had a large one on the front of his subie and it was more of a burden to his offroading. This is because it was 40kg on the front bumper. Subies hate weight offroad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsoobdude Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 If I remember right it's twice the weight of the vehicle in question to be extra safe and not have to worry about breakage of the winch itself. I'd recommend an 8k pounder but be sure to reinforce the bumper mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 technically since a snatchblock doubles the pull, a 2500 pd winch would work well with 2 snatchblocks...... a comealong works very well in almost all stiuations though.with some treesaver straps and a coule of two straps you can't go wrong.cheers, brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast I Drive Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I figure on a 6000 lb-er, a Warn or a Milemarker, although Harbor Freight has a winch that is IDENTICAL to the Milemarker for considerably less $$$ -Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 The actual ratio is 1.5 of vehicle weight. I had a 4500 on mine and used it more to pull others out of trouble. Brought several bigger rigs back onto their wheels from their roofs. Neccessary equipment for the winch, snatch block, gloves, tree-saver strap, clevis' of various sizes and 20' tow straps. A couple lengths of chain are good as well. 8K winch is too big and heavy for most Subarus. Especially if you have it permanently mounted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 technically since a snatchblock doubles the pull, a 2500 pd winch would work well with 2 snatchblocks...... a comealong works very well in almost all stiuations though.with some treesaver straps and a coule of two straps you can't go wrong.cheers, brianGood idea, but, snatch blocks basically cut your cable length in half. A 2500 only carries about 50 feet of cable. You get the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiemech85 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 in an ideal world: the biggest you can afford, and install on a receiver mount system so it can be used at both ends also need mud anchors midwest mud fest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I had a 4500 on my Brat and it always worked effortlessly to pull me out, and even a HD 3/4 ton GMC once! But yes it was a little heavy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I have a 2000# on the buggy with a snatch block. Never had to use it for real. Playing around it pulls me up hills just fine. They have 3000# ones at Harbor Freight for not much money. Add a block to that and you should be ok. I have steered away from the wireless remote ones because I think when you actually needed it the battery would be dead... A good quality come-a-long and some straps should be all you really need and don't weigh as much? My .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scooby Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 a 20 foot 17,000lbs tow strap and a com along got my hatch out when i sunk it in some nasty poop mud the other day, but of coarse the lifted wagon drove around in it without any problems. ive thought of a 4Klbs winch with receivers front/rear but with the straps, snatch blocks, and some gloves and ive been good thus far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I have a 4500 on mine. It made my front drop about an inch (with a lot beefier bumper too) but it was permanent mounted. I only had one time when it didn't work too well, and that was because my starter locked up, and I couldn't get the brat started becasue the incline was too steep, I rolled back and wedged a small tree behind my front tire a friend cut that tree out but I had to have another friend winch me clear to the top of the hill before I could get the brat started... his winch/alt were smokin by the time I got to the top..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 alrighty, so which would be better; a winch mounted to the front bumper which weighs the front down and inch or so, or a portable winch i can store in the hatch or on the roof?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsoobdude Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 alrighty, so which would be better; a winch mounted to the front bumper which weighs the front down and inch or so, or a portable winch i can store in the hatch or on the roof?? With a portable you'd be able to use it on ANY vehicle and ANYWHERE. Kinda nice when you have to move an unmovable vehicle and have the portable available. As for storing, I'd be willing to bet it'd sprout legs and vanish if stored on the roof and be susceptible to the weather unless in a cargo box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstaru Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 (edited) yeah, i have always used a come along or redneck ingenuity to get out of stupidity ridden situations. always wanted a winch:lol:.............of course the winch situations i have been in have had over 150 foot of cable and easily over 10,000# winches as well. so i am just trying to draw on the experience i have had with very heavy machinery...mainly 2.5 ton trucks and above.when i was in, we had to learn how to utilize "treesavers" and such to get our humvees out of sticky situations. i have to admit my experience is not with smaller vehicles,but the same principles should apply.but good point ken, as i did not realize smaller winches may have as little as 50ft of cable.cheers, brian Good idea, but, snatch blocks basically cut your cable length in half. A 2500 only carries about 50 feet of cable. You get the idea. Edited January 16, 2009 by monstaru Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 worth it to spend for a brand name, or can one from harbor freights do the job???:-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scooby Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 NO dont waist your money on a harbor freight, their ratings are for a flat rolling weight, try to pull your car out with a 8K HF winch and watch it explode the planarity gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobs97c5 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 (edited) I had a 3000lbs winch from Harbor Freight that I bought for $70.00 that was on my 84 Hatch. It has a wireless remote and it has been great for pulling myself out of anything not too extreme. Typically I used it for getting out of ditches, snow drifts, etc. On my lifted 86 GL Wagon I am going to mount receiver hitches in front and rear so that I can use the winch on either end. For $70, I think it's an awesome winch. I rarely pull out other vehicles, otherwise I'd go with a larger winch. Pic here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G8TtLTTJgVvw-HSQv1bc_w?feat=directlink Edited January 25, 2009 by bobs97c5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88Subi4x4 Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I think it is worth a brand name kinda expensive tho:mad: but i had a cheep one and it broke but thats because i pulled out 1 to many yota's:banana: i have a 4,000 pound warn and it seems to work well!!! Reid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingbobdole Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 I had a 3000lbs winch from Harbor Freight that I bought for $70.00 that was on my 84 Hatch. It has a wireless remote and it has been great for pulling myself out of anything not too extreme. Typically I used it for getting out of ditches, snow drifts, etc. On my lifted 86 GL Wagon I am going to mount receiver hitches in front and rear so that I can use the winch on either end. For $70, I think it's an awesome winch. I rarely pull out other vehicles, otherwise I'd go with a larger winch. I have the same winch which was more of a joke when I first mounted it... Looks neat and it's light weight... the only time I really tried to use it to pull a fellow ru up a huge rock, it basically melted the wiring it came with to the frame of the car... I still haven't gotten around to adding larger gauge wiring... :-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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