I found this looking for reviews of this winch....not surprisingly on a jeep web site. Lots of cheep bastards trying to look good to...I guess.
I pasted it below but here are the reviews, good and bad alike:
Chicago Electric 8000 lb Winch Reviews
Anthony
Jeep Parts > Winches > Chicago Electric 8000 lb Electric Winch
Chicago Electric 8000 lb Electric Winch
Brand: Chicago Electric
Features:
* 8,000 lbs rating
* 95 feet of cable
* Three-stage system with automatic load-holding brake
* Freespooling
* Planetary gearing
* 12' handheld remote switch
Owner Reviews
Chicago Electric 8000 lb Electric Winch
Avg. Customer Review: (7.4 Stars):
Number of Reviews: 12
Write a review and share your thoughts with other Jeepers.
More Bang For Your Buck
Date: Jan 27, 2008
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Fort Collins, CO)
I bought it a year ago, for my yj and have used it at least once a week for either work or play, even pulled a 1 ton dually 50 feet up a steep 30degree embankment out of mud, no problems,no overheating, just not as fast as most high end winches.
MOST IMPORTANT, always read the the instructions, use a good sutable battery, before use properly tighten all fasteners, pull the cable all the way out and reespool! failure to do the things will make any winch fail! I experienced my warn powerplant fail because I didn't respool it before the first time I used it, and it voided the warranty! So my budget wasn't big enough to buy another and found this one at Harbor Freight for $300 with mounting plate and bought a extended 2 year warranty, my power plant now makes the best paper weight, holds bown every thing on my bench, all at the same time.
Always use proper safety equipment, and practices, and never winch alone!
I have the 91905-3VGA
Date: Oct 28, 2007
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Durant, OK)
Well, this one is a little diffrent. I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4. I bought the Chicago 10,000 pound winch for my pickup. it was cheap and I was kinda afraid to purchase it. But now, I am glad I did. It out performes my buddys Ramsey and it never overheats. I recomend this winch to anyone on a budget. It is slow, but powerful. I have been midway up my doors in mud and it has pulled me out no problem. A Great winch!!!
Test pull
Date: Oct 02, 2007
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (W.P.B., FL)
I have the 9000lb hf winch on my yj, we put the jeep against a tree, pulled out about 60 ft of cable , hooked to a 7,500 lb buggy with tractor tires, pulled about 30 ft in dirt with the tires sliding, no problems.
Best yet
Date: Sep 20, 2007
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Rome, GA)
I have used this whinch hard! Pulled down two mobil homes (I was payed for this) so I made money with it used it many to time to tell about I would put it against others I have owned.
If your only cruising the malls this will work perfect.
Date: Jan 04, 2006
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Kansas)
After going through 2 of these in as many months getting a credit to buy other HF "junk" was a better option then wasting my time on these winches.
The first one only made it too the second pull before giving out (pulling a cavalier out of some snow). The second unit made all of 4 pulls before giving out, this time while trying to pull a friends Jeep out. Even with a snatch block the 3500 pound jeep was just to much of a load for it. If you need a winch to save your rear, dont count on this one doing it. You better hope the friend your wheeling with has a quality winch or you may be catching a ride home with him.
Worked it hard and it did the job
Date: Jan 03, 2006
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (central IL)
I put the 40764 (Harbor Freight number) on and 3 days later was winching three times on Jeeps. One thing of note is that the web site says it is 1.8 HP motor but it is 4.1. Anyway with proper voltage and maintenance I think this winch will hold up fine.
works every time for me
Date: Dec 12, 2005
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Concord NC)
The only thing that can be said negatively is that the winch is slow. You are stuck anyway. Take your time and keep the money in your pocket. I have used mine at least a dozen times in the two years I have had it. through mud, up hill, over rocks, you name it it drags my jeep and anything else I have hooked up to. I have even had to strap my jeep to a tree to winch. I would buy another one, but so far I don't think I will need to. The one thing I do pay atention to though is battery volts during a winch, keep them up or burn up the winch.
Get what you pay for
Date: Nov 16, 2005
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Toms River NJ)
It did not even make it through the first pull. I tried to stretch the cable and the winch overheated and stopped working.
Buy one they work great!
Date: Nov 08, 2005
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (port angeles, Wa)
I dont have a winch! and nyther do 5 of my budys! luckuly one does. we all got caught in a freak rain storm at the bottom of the sadi creek trail in washington it took over 14 hours of winching in the pouring down rain and mud. to get us all out! but it did the job with no trouble it was a little slow going. but it never over heated. I will be ordering one for myself.
Dont be afraid to buy
Date: Mar 16, 2005
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Canton, OH)
I was afraid of buying this winch it was so cheap.
299$. Dont be afraid.. I have only had it 6 monthes but it is doing fine so far.. It is slow but at 300$ it suits my needs for now.
Roller Fairleads are available from harborfreight 30$
Good winch
Date: Nov 25, 2004
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (Evansville IN.)
I have used my 8000 lb. winch only five times and it has performed flawlessly. For the money I would recommend it.The winch is installed on my 1998 jeep wrangler. The last time I used it I was on a steep incline with the parking brake on, and my foot on the brake while my buddy operated the remote. In fact the motor was not even hot after we pulled the jeep all 95 feet. The only downfall is that it is a little slow,and I can't find a roller fairlead for the chicago electric 8000 lb. winch.
Works, but slow
Date: Oct 03, 2004
Reviewer: A JeepReviews.com User from (georgia)
Cheap, Works great, but it's slow
Write a review and share your thoughts with other Jeepers.
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