It looks like its borderline, but Id rather know real world from guys on here than the magazines or webpages ratings. Would a Warn 9500ti winch be good enough for an 87 GMC half ton pickup 4x4? Or would it be pushing it if I were to end up using it on a somewhat regular basis for full size truck?

Found a cheap one and only reason Im considering it. $775 for a new in box 9500ti.

Thanks

I've got a 12000# mile marker on my YJ! I've never had a problem! :D

What are you going to do with your truck? Deep mud and wet snow? Rock rig? Easy rider?

if its deep mud and super wet snow I wouldn't look at anything less than a 12k or 15k! if it was general use trail rig i would probably be comfortable with a 9.5TI and a snatch block so I could double it up! Dont forget you only get the 9500# on the first layer of rope and then it goes down after that!

I'd get a 12k if I was you! even if you know it will never happen, It will make you feel that much better when its buried up to the mirrors that one time! You even seem a little skeptical about whether or not the 9.5 is up to the challenge. that might be telling you something!

it all depends on your wheeling, and how built the rest of your truck is. if youre running locked 35" MTs, and you get stuck, you're fairly stuck. if you're running 31" ATs and you get stuck, it isn't that bad, but it's all relative.

a 9500ti is pretty darn powerful, and doubles up to 19000 lb. if it is cheap, i'd run it and not be worried.

depends what kinda mud your going into too... i used to wheel in some black dirt and had a 9000lb warn on a k5 blazer. and when id get stuck 80% of the time it wouldnt pull me out. it would just make the truck like a wedge and pull it into the ground more.

i now have it on a s10 and its never failed me yet

My buddy has a 9500 on his Chevy with 36's I have never seen it have a problem. I have a 6000 lb. Warn on my Toyota that has yet to let me down. It has pulled a few full sizes out.

A good general rule is to have a winch that is rated
at one and a half times the curb weight(plus gear/tools,etc)
of your rig.....and remember, the max rating only applies
on the last layer of cable on the drum, not the top 2 or 3 layers!




....I have had idiot buddies ignore this and think that just because
they had a 12.5k lbs Warn that they could winch on another stuck
rig(that's buried in quicksand and mud to the gills) with only
20 feet of cable out......tore up a $1,200 winch on it's first trip out...

I have seen a Samurai with a 15K Warn on the front, and a 9K on the rear.

If your looking to buy something new, go with something you won't regret buying. If you find something used then just run it. But you should be fine with a 9.5. Just get a snatchblock for those tough situations.

Just get a snatchblock for those tough situations.

absolutely an invaluable addition to any offroad recovery gear stash

absolutely an invaluable addition to any offroad recovery gear stash

I think mine has been used more on other peoples rig than my own! I still wouldnt leave home without it!

I got a snatch block on egay for $15, with $15 dollar shipping so it was still on $30 bucks. It is actually pretty damn solid and works good. My buddy bought one first and after I saw his I bought one.

Thanks all!! Really appreciate the input. Am trying to negotiate a little cheaper on the Warn and will get it if I can get him a little lower. Ill get the accesories after the purchase, and found someone locally he will make a bumper or brush guard mount for pretty cheap. I tried looking up winch bumpers and mounts for the old GMC, and not many out there....or way $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$....for a few hundred dollars a shop near here said they could make pretty much whatever I wanted. I saw some pics of the old Fall Guy GMC, liked the Warn type brush guard minus the little loops around the headlights. Wouldnt mind just an old school brush guard like that with a few lights to the side.

I cant say how hard core Im going to get with it in deep mud or sand, as I am brand new to SoCal and have not been wheeling. Looking for a rear axle upgrade on the cheap, and happened to see this winch super cheap for a brand new in box, so wondered if it was worth the long term investment. Its seems on here from the responses it is, although some might advise a bigger winch...I cant find any bigger ones used right now though, only some totally off name brand on Craigs List they are claiming "as good as Warn" for only like $300 for a 12k winch?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pts/1353959020.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/pts/1353271578.html

hey look a vendor here on PBB that can help you out with your Tuff stuff winch purchase!

it appears as though they are made by the same company that makes the mile marker and T-max.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10271361

Cool, funny that the same guy on CL is a vendor here. Ive been doing some searching on that name brand, lots of pros/cons depending on who you talk to, no one seems to have extended real world experience winching with one...to tell if its going to hold up to abuse or be a pain and have any quirks....still haggling with the Warn guy, if I can get the 9500ti down and its brand new, Im thinking it would be safer bet and Id be buying American. But this Tuff Stuff could work otherwise in case.

Also if anyone has ideas for a bumper or pictures, please shoot them to me. Going to get a custom mount made, want to have a brush guard like the old Warn Trans4mer, the Fall Guy's look, but made heavier duty. Trying to find someone else who might have done a brush guard mount over the stock front bumper and found way to keep it solid and stout.