Winches can be the most effective part of your 4X4 in the right situation. Any 4Runner enthusiast knows the value of a winch if a tree has fallen across the road or if they are stuck in the mud. Which is better?
Toyota 4Runner’s best winch is the Warn, but brands like Smittybilt make cheaper options that work just as well. All three are important factors to consider: durability, cost, and capacity. First, ensure your 4Runner can fit the mounting plate.
Lots of great winches are available on the market, as well as plenty of advice on which one to use. We are going to explore all the options in this article so you know what’s available to you and what’s best for you. Come on, let’s get started!
Winches can either be used to pull a vehicle out of a tough situation or remove something in its path. Cables can be steel, synthetic, or rubber, and are connected to motors that can be electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical. Winches are essential if you do serious off-roading. It could easily mean the difference between being able to get out of the situation on your own or needing assistance.
A hydraulic or electric winch is most commonly used. Electric power should suffice for off-roading in a 4Runner. An electric winch can handle the same amount of load as a hydraulic winch, but hydraulic winches usually can pull heavier loads. Hydrostatic drive is usually found in construction equipment and big trucks.
There is no doubt that buying a winch for your Toyota 4Runner can be a challenging experience. It’s amazing how many options there are to choose from! It is my hope that by reading this article you have been better prepared on what you should look out for when handling a financial transaction.
The right winch will do the job as long as it is durable, affordable, reliable, and has the right load capacity! If you have a specific 4Runner, be sure to check that the mounting plate that comes with the winch is suitable for the installation on your vehicle.
Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch
It’s a very effective and inexpensive option! Its IP67 waterproof rating means you can submerge the winch in a meter of water for 30 minutes without any problems! It could come in handy if you have to winch your way out of a flooded area.
Besides being a durable and reliable winch, you can also get it for a lot less money than some of its competitors. This winch can handle loads ranging from 9,500 pounds (4305.9 kg) to 17,500 pounds (7937.9 kg)!
Three-stage planetary gears drive this winch, which comes with a 94-foot wire rope. The 12-foot lead that connects the control remote to this winch provides easy control. The lack of a wireless remote might be a downside to people hoping for one, but really it isn’t that big of a deal, as long as you have a good place for your controls. A Winch Mania reader voted this the best winch for under $500!
WARN 92810 Zeon Platinum 10
Among the top winch manufacturers out there, Warn is perhaps the industry gold standard. Respect is not free, however. The cheapest winch on our list comes in at just under $1,500, while this one comes in far and away the most expensive. The quality of this winch is very high, so you are getting much more than you paid for. The best winch for a 4Runner is this one, if you can afford it!
This winch offers many options. The first option is to buy a winch that pulls 10,000 pounds (4535.9 kg) or 12,000 pounds (5443.1 kg). You should be able to use both on your 4Runner. Following that, you have the option of choosing synthetic or steel cable. IP68 waterproof rating means this winch can be submerged in water for at least half an hour and is extremely dust resistant!
X-BULL 12V Synthetic Rope Winch
If you are on a budget, this is another great option! For just below $350, you can get a winch with a lifting force of 13,000 pounds (5896.7 kilograms). Why do I need to say more? Moreover, the unit comes with a wireless control pack and an 11700 kg (23,809 lbs) breaking force synthetic rope. This is a great price tag for so many great features. Another plus is the 1-year warranty and lifetime technical support.
Among its best features is its rope. Besides being very strong, it is also light and floats on water. The rope can even be used in -20°C (-4°F) temperatures. Even so, the winch itself is a fantastic product! This winch probably is the best that X-Bull has ever designed! They’ve gained popularity recently because they sell high-quality winches at low prices.
OPEN ROAD 13000 lb Winch With Synthetic Rope
Despite its affordability, this electric winch is another great option. An 8660 pound (3930.4 kg) vehicle would be suited for this winch as it provides 13,000 lbs (5896.7 kg) of pulling force. A hefty 4Runner that is. A wireless or wired remote control is included as well. If you do not think you will need quite so much power, the 9500 lb OPEN ROAD Electric Winch is still quite capable of pulling a 4Runner!
Under $350 will get you the winch that pulls 13,000 pounds. Compared to Warn, that is a better deal, allowing you to get a quality winch at a much lower price. It costs slightly less than $300 for a 9,500 lb (3,309.1 kg) model. The same device prevents damage to the winch by sensing when it is overloaded, like a fuse in a plug.
ZESUPER 12V 9500LBS Winch IP67 Electric Winch
The Winch-XP offers many of the same great features as the Openroad! Like the Openroad, its pulling force can be either 9,500 lbs or 13,000 lbs. The winch has basic specs, including an IP67 waterproof rating, three-stage planetary gearing, and a 5.5 horsepower motor.
It still represents great value for the money at around $300, however. A wired or wireless control is also available, as well as an automatic load-holding brake for maximum safety. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a wiring diagram, which can make installation a little more challenging. However, all in all, this is an excellent winch at an extremely competitive price.