Got my Warn M8000!

[cshontz]

I'm sooo excited. I could've brought home novelty dice tire valve stem caps, and I think I'd be just as ecstatic. All improvements to the Cherokee are worth celebrating - or worth posting about on ExPo, at the very least. :)

No more tip-toeing through pits of pancake batter with a feeling of dread. Now I can get stuck with confidence! :D

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/346191376_78e550a295.jpg

I've also owned a nice Warn HS9500i before it was discontinued and replaced by the 9.5ti. That was a great winch - treated me really well, and had more than enough oomph for my TJ at the time. I even buried it into the side of a Ford Explorer (which I still feel really bad about) and it still worked.

I'm sure I'll install it this coming weekend, so I'll update this thread accordingly. I might also end up installing trim packers on top of my coil springs, which I'm not really looking forward to. I don't feel like wrestling with 'em in my driveway again, so I'll probably disconnect my shocks and find a place to pull a +d. ;)

[cshontz]

"Aww crap. I don't know about this!"

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/300623814_63092f42ee.jpg

[Icewalker]

"Aww crap. I don't know about this!"

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/300623814_63092f42ee.jpg

You have to do it - or you'll anger the dirt gods :punk03:

[Wanderlusty]

Ok, mark me down as jealous...

A winch is definitely one of the 'BIG' upgrades in function as well as price. And one of the more meaningful ones, too. I know there are many a trail I passed up because I don't have one....yet....

[p1michaud]

"Aww crap. I don't know about this!"

Give it a shot, now that you have a WARN to help you out. Just make sure you have a good anchor point first! :oops:

Cheers :beer:,
P

[jim65wagon]

:clapsmile Yea Chris! If this smiley were only a nice shade of envious green you'd know how much I wish that it was really my winch!:drool:

[Icewalker]

I'm sooo excited. I could've brought home novelty dice tire valve stem caps, and I think I'd be just as ecstatic. All improvements to the Cherokee are worth celebrating - or worth posting about on ExPo, at the very least. :)

No more tip-toeing through pits of pancake batter with a feeling of dread. Now I can get stuck with confidence! :D

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/346191376_78e550a295.jpg

I've also owned a nice Warn HS9500i before it was discontinued and replaced by the 9.5ti. That was a great winch - treated me really well, and had more than enough oomph for my TJ at the time. I even buried it into the side of a Ford Explorer (which I still feel really bad about) and it still worked.

I'm sure I'll install it this coming weekend, so I'll update this thread accordingly. I might also end up installing trim packers on top of my coil springs, which I'm not really looking forward to. I don't feel like wrestling with 'em in my driveway again, so I'll probably disconnect my shocks and find a place to pull a +d. ;)

Did you go with the deal from 4wparts? Free shipping, Free strap and $50 gift certificate?

[CLynn85]

Congrats, it'll definately be a boost for your self confidence while going solo, I suppose that can be good/bad at the same time. I'm sure the big "W" on the front is a bit more reassuring too than a "Made in China" sticker... lol

[Grim Reaper]

Did you go with the deal from 4wparts? Free shipping, Free strap and $50 gift certificate?
Yeah I don't think he buys anything from 4wp and I am sure he gets a better price. LOL

Now I did win a M8000 from 4wp :)

So have you checked out http://www.ok4wd.com/ Great prices! LOL

[cshontz]

Ah yes ... the things I try to take on by myself. :D

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/348519641_b5b6447bb5_b.jpg

For the first time, I used the "intervalometer" feature on my Canon Powershot S80. Set it up on a tripod in the garage while I worked and programmed it to take a picture once every 10 minutes. Its kinda cool - it powers off after the first picture, and powers back on every 10 minutes to take another picture. Neat!

Check out this slideshow:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cshontz/sets/72157594464216909/show/

The same photos, but not a slideshow: (not necessarily that interesting)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cshontz/sets/72157594464216909/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/123/348528604_ca2979bafc_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/348533758_ce170b5a12_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/348529981_723d0baa60_b.jpg

[CLynn85]

Classy and well equipped, can't beat that. Make the front sag any?

[cshontz]

Classy and well equipped, can't beat that. Make the front sag any?

Thanks, Carl. The front did drop a little bit. You can tell in the slideshow transition between this picture (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/348519641_b5b6447bb5_b.jpg) and this picture (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/348520050_97930d5d33_b.jpg).

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/147/348532385_fb1d9763bb.jpg

I'm debating whether or not to install this (pictured) trim packer to compensate for the very slight drop, or even install a slightly taller spacer. Not sure - you guys have thoughts on this?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/348529223_db2f4acf21.jpg

[adventureduo]

Looks good dude!!!!! i had a Ramsey REP8000 on my XJ and it pullled great.. 8k will work great.

Im picking up my Warn M12000 on Monday for the cruiser.. cant wait.

[cshontz]

Sooo ... the first vehicle that popped my winch's cherry was a Toyota Corolla. How sad is that? :(

[jim65wagon]

Oooh, yeah, that's like the first vehicles I got to "unstick" at OBX were an Acura MDX and two Chrysler minivans. At least they were grateful.

[Scott Brady]

First class truck Chris. The winch looks sweet :)

[upcruiser]

Excellant. Go forth now with confidence.:safari-rig:

[cshontz]

Thanks, guys. Four vehicle recoveries today! Jen went to work and got stuck in our neighborhood (forester), but that didn't count because a gentle push got her out.

After that, I took the Cherokee to check the main road for Jen. It was oh-kay, but at the next intersection there was a bunch of stuck panel vans and a pickup truck - presumably 2WD F150.

I gave the F150 a yank backwards into some good ruts, and he was off. That was no problem. Quiet fella. Not the most appreciative, but its cool.

Next, was a panel van full of people. It was a 2WD later model chevy. I put a tree strap around its sway bar, close to the frame. It was pretty much the only thing I could see / reach. Told 'em, okay - "This is NOT a tow-point. Parts may fly off. Are you cool?" (not verbatim), and they said, "Okay." - kept a nice even load on the strap, and they were out. They hooked me up with a $20, and were totally appreciative. It was awesome.

Then I decided to sneak around and take back roads home, hoping I wouldn't find anyone else because by now I was totally soaked. Wouldn't you know it, had to pass a helpless Corolla trying to get into a company's driveway. Found the tow point right away, but you know those car tow-points ... all I could fit in the hole was my winch hook, so I used the winch to pull it into the ruts, and the dude was off. He was very appreciative, and very sneakily asked if he could reimburse me.

If you ASK if I expect reimbursement, I will say no. That's just the way I am ... unless of course, I'm there for a long time, and/or draw blood. But if you stick a $20 under my nose, I'll gladly take your money.

And now, the mischievous kitty emote, and my post will be complete.

:removeredX:

[njtaco]

Found the tow point right away, but you know those car tow-points ... all I could fit in the hole was my winch hook, so I used the winch to pull it into the ruts, and the dude was off.

Sounds like you need a transit cluster for winter side work...:peepwall:

[jim65wagon]

Thanks, guys. Four vehicle recoveries today! Jen went to work and got stuck in our neighborhood (forester), but that didn't count because a gentle push got her out.

After that, I took the Cherokee to check the main road for Jen. It was oh-kay, but at the next intersection there was a bunch of stuck panel vans and a pickup truck - presumably 2WD F150.

I gave the F150 a yank backwards into some good ruts, and he was off. That was no problem. Quiet fella. Not the most appreciative, but its cool.

Next, was a panel van full of people. It was a 2WD later model chevy. I put a tree strap around its sway bar, close to the frame. It was pretty much the only thing I could see / reach. Told 'em, okay - "This is NOT a tow-point. Parts may fly off. Are you cool?" (not verbatim), and they said, "Okay." - kept a nice even load on the strap, and they were out. They hooked me up with a $20, and were totally appreciative. It was awesome.

Then I decided to sneak around and take back roads home, hoping I wouldn't find anyone else because by now I was totally soaked. Wouldn't you know it, had to pass a helpless Corolla trying to get into a company's driveway. Found the tow point right away, but you know those car tow-points ... all I could fit in the hole was my winch hook, so I used the winch to pull it into the ruts, and the dude was off. He was very appreciative, and very sneakily asked if he could reimburse me.

If you ASK if I expect reimbursement, I will say no. That's just the way I am ... unless of course, I'm there for a long time, and/or draw blood. But if you stick a $20 under my nose, I'll gladly take your money.

And now, the mischievous kitty emote, and my post will be complete.

:removeredX:

and where, pray tell, was Shontz-the younger, in all this? Sleeping in his PJs in the car seat, no doubt.