From LandyWiki

A winch is one of the first things that people think of when looking to accessorize their Land Rover. But in reality, it's likely to be the least useful thing you can buy for the money. You can easily spend over £1,000 fitting a winch. For that money, you can get new tyres, a bunch of tow ropes, and still have enough left over to buy a beer for the guy who used his winch to pull you out.

Assuming you still want one, there are a few things to bear in mind.

Contents 1 Choosing a winch 2 Fitting a winch 3 Electrical Power 4 What kind of rope

[edit] Choosing a winch

There are basically three options:

• Electric Winch - what most people go for, fairly easy to install.
• Hydraulic Winch - can be more powerful than electric, needs engine running to work.
• Manual Winch - the most reliable of the lot!
• Capstan Winch - This is mainly available to series owners as it runs from the PTO.

The main factors to look at are maximum loading - should be several times the vehicle weight, and line speed if you're going to be using it in competitions.

[edit] Fitting a winch

Essentially you'll need to figure out the mounting - either fitting a new bumper, or some kind of bracketry to hold it. Given the loads involved in winching, don't skimp on this.

[edit] Electrical Power

The Warn 9.5XP I fitted draws a peak current of 480 Amps. That's HUGE. Very little you can buy is actually rated for that kind of power - most "high current" stuff is around 100A, 200 if you're lucky. Most people opt for welding cable - about 1cm in diameter, flexible, and takes huge current. A second battery, combined with something like an x-charge relay to control charging, is a sensible idea if you want to be able to winch when the engine is dead. An isolator switch is a legal requirement, as well as being just plain good sense!

[edit] What kind of rope

Two options, wire rope or synthetic fibre. The synthetic fibre is sold under a number of names such as plasma, spectra, or dyneema. All of them are nylon derivatives that are stronger than the equivalent diameter wire rope, lighter (most of them will float), and won't develop sharp springs of wire to stab your hand. There's also much less recoil if it breaks, so it's much safer. The downside? Price, of course!