when you say the cylinder, you mean the bail end or the motor end?

 

I just ordered a 3000lb gorilla winch which is sold on ebay. Can't wait to see hoe this baby hold up. I paid $400 for a warn winch before and never had a problem so now Im taken my chances with a $100 gorilla winch. Look if it last 2 years i'm happy.

 

 

You can only open one end of the winch, if i recall correctly

 

I have a Champion Winch. Its a cheapy, but has yet to fail me. About $70 I got it for $46 because of a price mix up [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. Its a 2000lb winch. It comes with a pully to help in really bad situations witch I have not had to use. Its got me out of some really really deep stuff. Nasty thick stuff to. I went into one hole got stuck the mud was coming past my foot pegs I sunk literally didn't even hafta spin. Only way I could get out was up a descently steep hill and to the side. It turned the wheels twards the hill and slowly got winched out without a problem. I had to make my own custom bracket for the winch because I wasn't paying $70-80 for my bracket, but still works great. I only have a 2wd ATV to. I think its personal opinion. I took a chance on an offbrand, but have not been disappointed.