I'm about to drop a winch onto my '02 Rancher. What I am wondering is how well they are sealed. Are there much problems with water/mud getting into them? What sort of maintenance is required?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

What kind of winch are you putting in? If it is a Warn, you should have no problems. Everyone I know that runs a Warn has never had a problem with water. Also, replacement parts are farely reasonable for the Warn and readily available in case you do have a problem.

 

I have a warn 2500 on my foreman which mounts in the frame under the front rack. It is always in the mud and still works flawlessly after 4 years. I highly recomend the accessory kit with the snatchblock. It is great for when your really really stuck and the winch stops pulling. I've used mine twice and works great. (You attatch the 'block to a tree with supplied strap, run cable through block and hook back onto bike and voila a 5000 lb winch!! Also used for redirecting cable for tangly pulls.

Have you seen the new warn 3000 lb ATV winch?? Its on their site and looks sweet.

 

A 3000lb winch, Trailblazer? Are you ridin' with Rita MacNeil?? HAHA, just kiddin! Haven't seen it yet. Mine is a Warn. Hope I don't run into any problems. Besides, I live in Manitoba, which means I don't have to worry about water 'till march or april. I just wanted an idea of what I'm getting into.....and hopefully out of.