Winches Under $700 Article

having just purchased my first winch for my YJ i was interested to find out how well i did; imagine my surprise to find that by using the internet to search i had found a winch, well under $700, not listed in the article.  especially one that (of 2) that had passed the 'Winches in Hell' test run by Moab Jeeper magazine.
on amazon.com, the 9.0i Superwinch 09034 sells for less than $600 and includes FREE shipping.  the correct mounting plate for the YJ was also available, with FREE shipping.  the winch alone saved me over $100 based on Quadratec prices for the winch, shipping, and shipping surcharge. the mounting plate was also cheaper.

i like quadratec but you've got to do your research, it's your money!

now, can anybody point me to some reliable information that can help me decide how heavy (i like to over engineer) to upgrade the battery cables, etc as i plan my build?

love JP magazine    

I ran a Superwinch 9.0 on my '97 TJ, Steal-J and really liked it. It's a great winch. I invited Superwinch to be part of that story, but they just didn't respond in time.

Battery cables? You can buy the brass terminal lugs and crimping tool at your local NAPA. Buy welding cable at your local welding supply shop. They come in different sizes, but #4 to #1 should be fine. I wouldn't go bigger than 1/0 gauge 'cause it's overkill, expensive, and takes up a lot of space.  

Just my two cents on the winches you reviewed. I am a huge fan of the Smitybuilt XRC 8000. I have one on my Rubicon and have used it almost every trail ride we go on to pull out other guys. I have never had any issues at all and would highly recommend this winch to anybody. Now with that said, I have never used it for anything more than dead pulls out of the mud, or snow. How do you guys think this winch would handle in some more extreme areas such as assisting rock climbs?  

i have had my tabor 9k for a couple of years and it works great but i wish they had put the warn lever on it instead of the knob it got stuck a few weeks back and i snapped it tryin to free it you guys know if the lever will fit the tabor??  
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not only the founder of the white trash mafia im also a member

94 yj over the limit and out of control

I have the Smittybilt SRC 8000.  Have not gotten to use it much since the motor blew in my jeep.  I did get to use it to move my wifes Z-71 out of the way, and to snap an 8" pine tree that was trying to grow into the roof of my shop.  I have no complaints about it so far.  I have recommended it to a few people who have asked.  
A little bit older, but not much wiser.  Welding wheeling and working.