I’ve used pretty much every cheap brand of winch from Amazon. X-Bill is by far the best one I have used. I use the 13 and 13.5k models. Have also used the expensive yellow winches from down under. Those are junk, but not as bad as the customer service. Only X-Bull to stay away from is the 2 speed model. No luck with that. I probably get over 1000 winch cycles a year over the last 9 years pulling cars, trucks, motor homes and semi trucks out of soft sand, so I do have some experience.

Your tape, nut & washer trick is pure genius. Thanks for that tip.

I love your content. An older but capable SUV built with Amazon bargains keeping up with rigs that cost 3x as much.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks👊🏻

@dominik.simone

7 ай бұрын

in italy it's called Mitsubishi pajero here in europe, everyone uses them and they go everywhere, and they are very reliable, many have more than 500k km!!

How has it held up so far I'm interested in finding out I'm looking into getting a winch finally.

Had a great time on the BDR, man! 👊 Looking forward to some more trips

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, looking forward to doing the next sections🤟🏻

Wow, 3/16 plate with a cool flag cutout where strength is needed... yeah that won't last... but as for the winch... good and bad... I put the Xbull 13K on a gladiator and the wireless and magnetic remote that came with it looks and sounds better than what yours had so I'd recommend the upgrade. But down side is the clutch is very picky about when it wants to engage or disengage. Your reviews are genuine, I appreciate that

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍🏻

@Wetstriker

4 ай бұрын

3/16 isn’t plate.

I'm all for ease of install but $350 for that simple winch plate is nuts.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

True, I am regretting not just making my own, now that I have to modify it anyways🤦🏻‍♂️

We just did this install last month on my buddies 2003 Monty. Quick and easy. That plate is great!

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Has he used it yet??? As I said in the video, I would never use it without adding some gussets and reinforcements, it moves a ton with just one hand. Great for looks only.

@DocGTO

2 жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 he has not. I'll send the video to him so he can watch.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

I am interested to hear from anyone who has actually used this plate, not just for looks. And see what happens.

Just purchased 2005 montero... Look forward to more montero stuff... Love your content.

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man, unfortunately I sold the Montero to fund the straight axle swap S10 I am currently building, but I do love me a Montero.

Great Video, man! Looks to be a really clean install. The Montero is looking great

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks👊🏻

I'm getting a pattern here.. the installers never test the winches..

I have the XBull 13k on my 4 runner it’s a great winch ..

I think I would have a hard time buying and relying on a cheap winch since I go out alone most of the time but when you have a friend to pull you out i wouldnt worry as much. It seems like some technology is costing less nowadays and making quality items cheaper but some cheap items are really crappy. It seems like it would be pretty fun trying out various cheap winches though to see if its actually worth it to buy premium. My worry is with longevity and those really hard long pulls especially in an emergency. I had a smittybilt x20 10k winch that worked well for 5 years and I thought I compromised when buying that although i broke the case on a hard pull but it still worked when i removed it and got me out. Prior to that I ran warn and since then I've bought a few warn winches. We have warns on the front of all our jeeps currently. Recently I bought a cheaper warn vr8000 and made a removable rear winch setup for my jeep I made the plate and attachment as compact as possible its pretty heavy but the smaller winch reduces the weight and it fits in the back really well and i have an anderson plug ran off my rear battery to plug it in. I have a zeon 10k up front.

@richrachner1260

Жыл бұрын

Smittybuilt is made in China too. Not everything made in China is junk.

Muddy, on that engine bay shot I noticed the top of your radiator is starting to yellow. That is the sign you need a new one. I'd go Denso or CSF from a 2003+. Thicker core and little more volumn and I'd also do the 2003+ thermostat as well. Either the OE from Luso or the Aisin from Rockauto. It is a 180 and not a 190 degree. Overall your truck will run cooler. As a added bonus you can do the Hayden HD fan clutch if that needs replaced too.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, good looking out👊🏻

@DocGTO

2 жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 yes sir!

I bought two zeak 13k winches for 346 each, one is going on my 715 and one on my YJ. Hoping for some longevity from them

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Nice, hopefully they hold up 🤞🏻

So you can replace the yellow cable with red? Thx

Kelly would it be possible to incorporate a front skidplate/winch mount support?

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

The front skid is metal but very thin, I have ideas that will work. Just need to find time to do it.

I just got a badlands 12k from HF for $260 a few weeks ago with my ITC coupon

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Nice, does it have synthetic line and wireless remote?

@merrittmcdowell8675

2 жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 no but for $260 out the door with tax, the added capacity and known reliability is worth adding a few bucks over the winch you are testing to add the synthetic line (minus if you sell the cable about $40 bucks) and add a great wireless remote for $40, i understand what you are doing but i think most would agree the risk of a no name is kinda scary if you are on a budget at least for me. I've bought cheaper things on the same kind of review and it bit me in the ass cause they weren't built equally and ended up spending more (grrrr), but rope and remote aside it was still cheaper for a better product even though it didn't come with accessories that if you can't afford are not necessary for it to work. But i like what you are doing! I just thought i would throw my 2 cents in there haha,

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

This is why I spent my own money to buy this, to see what you get for the price and test it. I could have just had harbor freight send me more free winches, but that doesn’t help you guys at all. I have had zero issues with either of my harbor freight winches, even my 9k badlands with steel line and no wireless that’s on my trailer.

Yup xbull vs Harbour freight let’s do it

Got the x-bull 12500# winch a few years back. No problems and works great!

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Nice, good to hear.

I have had the tow winch for 5 years the only issue is it gets warm for long use. You need to repack it with more grease before use you need to pull the rope out and restring it. Other than that it is a great unit I have used it on the beach a couple of times and in the mountains.

@auskip07

Жыл бұрын

huh?

My winch is flapping in the wind, but my lights are new!

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

🤣 true…

Xbull and openroad are basically copies of the Smittybuilt. I think their patient expired. Either one of them are decent winches, you can rotate the clutch housing if need be for mounting

I have a the 13k XBull on my XJ. Had to put new solenoids in it within a year. I contacted XBull and they didn't even respond. Other than that it has worked fine.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Yea, I assumed the solenoids and controllers would be the weak point on these.

take solenoids out of original box and mount inside air box will stay dry and cool

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

I thought about doing something like that.

Please do a long term review on the APEX winch.

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

I have done 2 already

That winch plate is pathetic! Lol. Great video man, thanks! Love your content!

@MuddyBeards4X4

10 ай бұрын

Haha, thanks. Yea I was not impressed.

That wiring job!!!

Let's hope you don't have to pull before you get the winch mount beefed up or you'll end up with a 2-part Monty.

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

🤣 very true

A gdzie wyłącznik prądowy bezpieczeństwa -hebel??? Żeby nie było kłopotów konieczne

I thought about getting one them winches, but after seeing just how cheap it looks I think I'll get a harbor freight one

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

That’s why I made the video, show you guys what you get. 👍🏻

What happened to the build was so exited

Let us know about winch long term I almost bought one also

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

👍🏻

Yes yes yes finally montero videos yayyyyyyyyyyyyy

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, this is the 3rd video with the Montero in it. More to come👊🏻

@brandongoberdhan6335

2 жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 awesome plz do a walk around too and show us all the features and show every button on the van 😀

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, once I get a few more things done too it, I definitely will

Was there ever an update video made?

Since the filming of this video, have you had a chance to use the winch yet? If yes what are your thoughts?

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Not yet, the winch mounting plate is too weak to test it yet. Once I get a chance I will post an update

Did you make the comparison or long term video??? I’m curious

$350 for that plate and its bending, WOW. for much less money you can build much stronger durable plate

Velco attachments I had (stolen form my kids) lying around..

With the 10sec difference, what are the gear ratios of both winches?

@MuddyBeards4X4

2 жыл бұрын

Xbull is 265:1 and the apex is 210:1.

@WrongTurnAdventures

2 жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 that explains it. My current 12k Kings is 214.1 and hate how slow it is.

Any update on the winch or have another recommendation for a budget friendly option. 2004 WJ

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

I sold the Montero before I really used it. I have used the harbor freight badland apex 12k on all my other rigs for years and love it. It depends on budget and how often you will use it. This cheap one would be just fine for occasional use.

@TxHylyner

Жыл бұрын

My issue is size, really trying to stick with a “hidden” winch bumper to maintain the factory front bumper. Something around a 10k should do the trick but I do have a practically new apex sitting unused on my f350 tow rig.

@maltem123

Жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Why did you sell the Montero ? :( i was really curious how it would handle serious offroading

What’s the furthest you have towed with that 1st gen

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

Probably Johnson valley, been there a couple times, Moab and the most recent trip was the Dusy Ershim near Fresno.

@kyleross283

Жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 how far is that for you

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

About 1200 miles each way

What was the name of this winch?

All that and didnt even test it out

I have one of these and it's been the biggest pos I've ever had

Why did you sell this vehicle?

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

I have a new project I am building. There are multiple videos on the new project already🤟🏻

@nalong55

Жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 nice! Whoever bought it is trying to sell it again down in Puyallup

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

Interesting, I will check it out. I know he was up snow wheeling with it last weekend. One of my buddies ran into him and sent me a photo, lol.

@nalong55

Жыл бұрын

@@MuddyBeards4X4 gotcha, was interested in buying but the guy wasn’t forthcoming at all claiming he did all the work LOL. Ended up buying a montero over in Spokane last week and your vids have inspired me!

@MuddyBeards4X4

Жыл бұрын

Nice, I looked and I couldn’t find anywhere he had it for sale. Looks like he still have it and is using it?? He tried to sell it to you? Where was this at?

Its been over 9months and yet no testing video... Very poor content

Not interested.