Classics like the Cherokee are hard to ignore. Cherokees still sell for up to $10,000 even 20 years after they were discontinued. So what do you recommend for an XJ?
In this post, we will examine six different options for winches in detail to see how they compare. This article will discuss some of the best winches for the Jeep Cherokee, so there will be plenty to talk about. I suppose we’d better get started!
There is an argument to be made for the Cherokee, which came out of a partnership with French company Renault, being the most beloved of all Jeep vehicles. It was around 2007 that a forum joke went viral, claiming that the XJ was hewn from granite by lightning bolts.
Despite being very numerous, the price of XJs actually started climbing again after this running joke became so widely known.
However, the joke was not the only factor. There were several reasons why Cherokees were a breakthrough vehicle.
Off-road vehicles such as SUVs, Jeeps, and other vehicles with winches can be modified to have them. Pulling your Jeep out of a bad situation or pulling an obstacle like a fallen tree out of your path are the main uses. Their primary purpose is to pull the vehicle up an incline or out of mud.
An electric, hydraulic, or mechanical winch consists of a long cable, steel or synthetic, attached to a motor. The use of a winch is absolutely essential if you plan on doing serious off-roading.
Most winches today are either electric or hydraulic. The Cherokee should be able to handle off-roading just fine with electric power. Their weight is lower than you might expect.
You need your winch to be able to pull a lot of weight depending on many factors. One of the most important factors is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Your Jeep’s driver side door jamb has a sticker with this information. The XJ is actually a light vehicle.
The GVWR should be about 5,000 pounds (2,268 kgs) depending on the year of production. GVWR equals the total weight of the vehicle plus the total weight of everything inside it at maximum capacity.
For a winch, it is recommended that the pulling strength be between 1.5 and 2 times the GVWR. If you have a gross weight of 5,000 pounds (2268 kilograms), then you need a winch capable of pulling between 7,500 and 10,000 pounds (3,402 and 4,536 kilograms). It probably makes sense to aim for the higher end of this range.
Winches are available at a wide range of prices. Leading the pack are Warn, a brand whose gold standard sets the industry standard. When it comes to winches, you usually get what you pay for; more expensive brands are usually better.
Yet there are plenty of cheap options that are more than up to the job, so it’s worth looking into reviews of these cheaper winches. If you are a casual hobbyist, it’s especially important to do so.
The winch speed should not be one of your main considerations since there is very little benefit in having a fast winch. In fact, a slower speed might be better.
In some cases, you might not have enough time to turn off the winch before it is damaged when the cable is pulled in too fast by the winch.
If you were in the mud, getting out would not be an urgent matter for you. You are better off taking your time and being safe than hurrying and being sorry.
Super winch 1145220 Terra 45 ATV& Utility Winch
The Super winch Terra 45 is the first winch we recommend for Jeep. Winches like this one are referred to as tough workhorses by consumers. One of the best off-road winches for the money because of its power, versatility, and durability.
A load of 4,500 pounds (2,046 kilograms) can be towed with this utility winch.
What is the source of this pulling power? In short, the Terra 45 is powered by a powerful 1.6 HP low-amp draw motor and driven by an all-steel 3-stage planetary gear system.
Using oil pocket bronze bearings, this wide, complex gear efficiently transfers power from the engine to the tow cable. This magnetic motor winch also features a dynamic braking system and mechanical load holding.
Smittybilt 98510 Synthetic Rope Winch
Smittybilt has been making winches for over half a century, and this 98510 is one of many products that continue to carry on their excellent legacy.
This synthetic 98510 might just be the winch you’re looking for if you’re a serious off-roader. After closely examining Smittybilt winch reviews, it is clear why many people are raving about this specific winch.
To purchase it, you may have to reach further into your pockets or purse, but it is well worth the effort.
You have a trusted companion to get you out of all kinds of sticky situations when you’re in the wild, thanks to its high-quality build and a wide range of features.
What makes this Smittybilt 98510 worth your time and money? A simple answer. Its powerful motor, sophisticated gear system, and long synthetic line are unmatched in the industry.
Warn 89120 ZEON 12 Winch
There is no doubt that the Warn 89120 ZEON is one of the best 12,000 lb. cranes. This winch is one of the best on the market. I would like you to take a moment to admire its excellent design and build quality before we learn about its immense power output.
Unboxing this winch naturally produces this reaction. A muck-busting seal and durable satin-black cast-aluminum housing highlight its exceptional build quality.
Warn 89120 ZEON winches are often referred to as “workhorses,” and just like a real-life workhorse, it will cost you a significant sum of money to buy one.
The ZEON’s new powerful engine and efficient gear train take up a large portion of that budget. They work together to produce a staggering 12,000-pound pulling force.
Is the steep price of this ZEON worth it? I think the performance numbers and the price numbers tell you that. According to ZEON, the 89120 isn’t a regular winch. This Warn winch is intended for Jeep owners who live and breathe off-roading, much like the Smittybilt 98510 winch mentioned above.
X-BULL 12V Synthetic Rope Winch
You can add the X-Bull 12V winch to your Jeep for a truly unique driving experience. Having a hard time categorizing products is not common for a professional reviewer like myself.
I seldom come across products like this. There are so many different characteristics to this winch. It is not necessarily a bad thing that there are so many characteristics.
When it comes to the X-BULL winch, this combination of characteristics is actually a positive. What makes this possible?
The makers of this X-BULL winch took all the best traits of other winches and designed it in a way that is one of the best winches that you can buy for your 12V vehicle.
A unique winch is not easy to create, which is why the manufacturers of the X-BULL 12V have created one of the most powerful witches on the market while slapping such a low price tag on it.
Off-road enthusiasts consider a 13,000-pound winch a superior/high-end winch in the world of off-roading. It becomes much more difficult to classify a winch into one group if you take that winch and you give it the price of an entry-level, novice winch.
In spite of this, you don’t give a damn about these details since you don’t care about them. It is more important for you to find out if the risk of owning the X-BULL 12V is worth it.
Champion 3,000lb Winch Kit
There is a Champion power system that is capable of pulling weights of up to 3,000 pounds.
This is the perfect choice for anyone searching for an ATV/UTV winch kit that includes everything needed for winching. You will receive a mounting channel, a ruler fairlead, a remote control, and a mounting channel with this kit.
It is possible to mount this winch on your vehicle or side-by-side with a mounting channel since it can pull so much power.
By doing this, you will easily be able to harness the 1.3HP-strength permanent magnet motor.
An aircraft cable that is 46 feet long, galvanized and heavy duty, comes with the winch. It is excellent for use in rough terrains, such as rough rocky, muddy, or sandy terrains.
A high-grade cable which is incredibly strong is guided into the drum by a ruler fairlead which is very reliable. In this way, the cable can be maximized in its lifespan as well as ensured to be safe while being used.