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Engo Winches

Discussion in 'Winches' started by Patrick, Mar 29, 2016.

  1. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Wow, I seriously thought that just about everyone would have a hi-lift as a backup but not so much for retrieval but as a just in case because of all the crazy things that could go wrong. :)
     
  2. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    My Dad has a Hi-Lift jack from "Back in the days"...It's probably older than me. He said I could have it for my Jeep and I think it would look really cool, but that means I'd have mount my spare and I don't want to.
     
  3. duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Don't get me wrong. They are handy as hell for all sorts of things from pulling fence posts to jacking/holding bent up equipment in place for welding. Use them all the time around the ranch. Just don't want to pack one in the Jeeps. Winch/snatch block/bottle jack-a much safer route, not to mention more compact.
     
  4. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    This, exactly.
     
  5. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I think it may depend on terrain and area you travel. Around here on the trail you may as well leave the bottle jack at home. It certainly can be useful but a hi-lift is so much useful for what we do it's a much better tool for us.
    The handle can be used to reinforce tie rods and other things if needed. I've even seen the upright part of the Jack used to hold a broken frame together. Have to change a tire or fix a flat in the middle of a rocky section of trIl? Hi lift shines because it has the travel needed to Jack the vehicle up (after stabilizing with a winch for safety). Just depends on your needs.
     
  6. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    I thought there was some disdain for them even with all the good things I had heard before.

    Like Nick said I'm sure the terrain plays a big part in everyone deciding what their needs are. :)
     
  7. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Soooooooo, anyway...I guess nobody here has any experience with the Engo...
    Still debating. I just haven't found anything negative about them, really. The Warn VR is only $100 less than the M8000, so that's a no-brainer. If I buy a Warn, it'll be the M-series.
     
  8. Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I picked up a complete warn m8000 with synthetic cable for $150 off CL a while back.
    I need to put a new motor on it, then go thru it but it does look solid otherwise.
     
  9. homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Not to knock the Engo, but it looks like all the other Chinese winches as far as the shape of the gear housing, motor housing, connection box, even the remote control handle. I believe the majority of the Chinese winches are made by the same company, including the smittybilts, harbor freight, etc. I suspect anybody that has a big enough order can get a line of winches made with their own label.

    I own an 8000 pound smittybilt, got it on sale for $250 at 4wd parts a few years ago when they had a grand opening here. It looks exactly like the harbor freight and the Quadratec winches.

    Ningbo Lianda Winch Co.,Ltd.
     
  10. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Supposedly the Chinese manufacturers share designs and identical looking products can come from different factories and be built to widely different standards.

    Even though two examples of these winches look similar and use similar external parts, I believe it matters greatly what the purchaser's spec requires, and how well they QA what they get from their sources.

    If Engo can manage the sourcing and they wrote their spec carefully and wisely, there's no reason to equate the Engo winches with the HF, IMO. If the Engo guys are scoundrels or idiots, then the two winches may be the same and they may have gamed the Four Wheeler review or the good result was accidental or something.

    To me, it looks like the Engo guys know what they are doing and have a good spec, and they are selling these winches cheaply now to start up their business. There's always a risk as an early adopter, but the value is the reward. Warn has the name, and does not have to price below the market to establish themselves.

    There is a 450% price premium of the Warn over the Engo. If the Engo product is good, that can't last. Part of that is the strong dollar, which will likely change. However, I predict that Engo will not make it at those prices... so if you are willing to take a little risk, might be time to buy one of theri winches.
     
  11. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Very good points Tim, definitely a lot of logic in what you say. I think it was on G503 that a supplier said the Chinese would put whatever quality you wanted in a product, whether it be cheap or first class.

    It was interesting that the Warn internals gave up. I'd bet it was the speed combined with an extremely powerful motor creating too much stress.
     
  12. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Maybe I'll buy a Warn for the CJ, and an Engo for the TJ.(y)
     
  13. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    But it is off topic section ;)
     
  14. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Hmm. I think I suggested half of that equation :).
     
  15. GeoffreyL

    GeoffreyL Well-Known Member

    I would say give the engo a shot. Try one out, if you like it, buy another, if not, either put it on the TJ or CL and get a warn.
     
  16. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    Nick should go check them out...They're just across the bridge.

    Maybe they would endorse a ECJ5 member for a honest review?

    The article is 5 years old...Warn won.

    Definitely made in China.
     
  17. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Why didn't I know until just now that Warn has a rebate special..........that ends today?
     
  18. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    Which "M" would you get? Free shipping through Summit.
     
  19. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    M8000s. I can get free shipping from most places. I've found it for $849 a couple places, so that'd put me right at $700 for the M8000/ synthetic.
     
  20. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I have a potential buyer for the 8274. He's supposed to call this evening and let me know if he's going to come look at it tomorrow. I could go ahead and order the winch, but I really *should* wait until I have the cash from the sale of this winch...