Reviewed by Alexander L (Lubbock, TX) Reviewed for a 2008 Jeep Wrangler — Jan 17, 2013 9:11 PM

Pros; Good quality Good price for the size Looks good. Cons; Instructions suck! 1. Has you install winch first then wire it up. Problem is you have to hook up wires to back of winch (hard but possible) then wire to bottom of winch (impossible after installation). Also cable to battery is about 3" to short! 2. After I hooked it all up, plugged in controller and would not work! Had to go online and look up people with similar problems; turns out remote in finicky and you must push and twist.

Reviewed by ronald c (Sault Ste. Marie, MI) Reviewed for a 2008 Jeep Wrangler — Jul 14, 2012 4:15 PM

price and function very good

Reviewed by Gary G (Powder Springs, GA) Reviewed for a 2011 Chevy Silverado — Oct 17, 2011 3:00 PM

good winch, good price, havent used it yet

Reviewed by Lucinda R (Knoxville, TN) Reviewed for a 1997 Jeep Wrangler — Dec 15, 2010 3:22 AM

First winch I have owned. Install was easy, fit and finish is excellent. Waiting to use it. Warn whinches are supposed.to be better but at a much higher cost. We are just weekend warriors so this is more than enough power for us. Very happy with our Rugged Ridge winch. People we talked with on the trails with the same winch loved them.

Reviewed by Gary S (Birmingham, AL) Reviewed for a 1957 Jeep CJ — Oct 31, 2010 11:26 AM

Works great,good price,Had to call rugged ridge to discover you had twist to connect the control plug. Other then that everything worked great.

Reviewed by Michael H (Eureka, MO) Reviewed for a 2004 Jeep Wrangler — Jun 08, 2010 7:32 PM

I' m very pleased so far. It was shipped very quick. It was easy and quick to install. I have not had it long enough to field test it yet, but it seems fast and easy to use. The verdict is still out on the synthetic rope.

Reviewed by Harold M (Silver Springs, NV) Reviewed for a 1998 Chevy C/K 1500 — Apr 06, 2010 8:10 PM

Bought this winch for the front of my car trailer because I keep burning out the 2500 lb winches. With this winch it makes my life easy to load things onto the trailer.

Reviewed by Andrew D (Cape Coral, FL) — Apr 04, 2010 6:20 PM

I live in florida and hunt from 2-5 days a week. I need some new tires for the mud here and only have street tires so until I can get some mudders I purchased the winch. I have never used the winch for any purpose so how it performs, i could not tell you. I would or intend to use it for anyone stuck in the mud ect. or if I was to get stuck. Money is tight and I have ordered some tires at a local dealer at 50.00 bucks a week until they are payed for. I could also use the winch to pull downed game in my area as some places are not accessable. With the winch and a rop I could reach a long ways. As far as attaching the winch my friend (Tom) and I put a strong piece of metal between the frame rails under the bumper and cut a hole in the bumper and installed a trailer hitch assembley. Then we put the winch on a solid plate with the bolts provided and welded it to a trailer sleeve sliding it into the bumper. We welded the bolts so no one could easily steal the equipment and used a locking bolt.

Reviewed by James B (Mayflower, AR) Reviewed for a 2004 Jeep Wrangler — Jan 22, 2010 8:48 AM

I have used my Rugged Ridge 8500 three times. Last time I pulled my friends TJ. It was high centered and down a steep hill. We used a snatch block and strapped the back of my TJ to a tree. The winch had no problem pulling my friends TJ up. Because of the steep hill it also raise my TJ slightly off the road. The winch never stained but be careful its deceptive how munch stress is on your equipment. The new winch arrived on time and undamaged. It was well packed and thats important for something that heavy. I have to say that its a best by for the money. It looks like its made by the same mfg as a smithbuilt 8000. Not problem to install with the Rugged Ridge winch plate.