I have a KK and have had a winch now for about 1.5 years. I've used it a couple of times to self recover when I've "turtled" myself on a track and have also gotten to use it to recover some of my more capable friends when it's gone pear shaped for them.
I also store my camper trailer down in the back yard which has a slight slope and will use the winch to pull it back to the driveway since it's too hard to push up by myself.
I like having the security of knowing I have the winch as an option to get me out of trouble.
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'11 KK Ltd. 3" Murchison Lift. 16x8 AEV Bridgers. APT Sliders. Uneek4x4 Bar. Runva11XP Winch.
I've had one in my KJ since new in 06. It's very reassuring to know it's there IF you ever need it. Even if it only saves you twice it's well worth it. It's a bit like jumper leads for a battery - unlikely I'll ever need them for me but I carry them, anyway and spanners and parts and....
More importantly, controlling the winching yourself puts you in control of your recovery and the stresses you put your KJ under. Of course, being snatched also has its place but you have the option with a winch.
I really don't think it's made a great deal of difference to the ride which could always be improved but then neither my wife nor myself can truthfully recall what it was like without it. I also haven't measured an ongoing sagging in the suspension over time. It did settle a little with the added load but then pretty much stayed where it had settled to.
I look at it like this way: A winch and skid plates throughout is reasonably predictable. You are no longer on the lap of the gods of friction - you can talk at a higher level.
Mikzor do you think you've given up much in terms of ride quality with the extra weight?
I already had the Lovell's lift kit which on my petrol was very hard and rode very high. When I put the bar and winch on it actually improved the ride quality for me.
I'd want to be running aftermarket suspension if you're adding a bar + winch and if you already are you could also look at adding in some Strut Top Plates to make up for any sag caused by the added weight.
On my 2007 CRD I have the CRDSTU front (and rear!) springs, a TJM alloy winch bar, and a 9000lb Ox winch, and I have never noticed any sag or handling problems.
On the other hand I have never been stuck in a situation where I needed to winch myself out! When travelling by ourselves we usually have the camper trailer behind which limits the sort of track we will travel on - we leave the rugged stuff for group outings where it's usually easier to get snatched out by someone else than to use the winch.
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Still a KJ lover, even though I now own a WK2 Limited CRD
As I mentioned to Dissociative, I'm a bit loathed to fit the winch to his KJ after fitting the CRDSTU suspension as it currently rides and handles really nice. Personally I think adding the weight of a winch to the front end that already has a steel ARB bar on it would make it a bit wishy washy.
Have a winch on my kj and use it all the time. Sometimes I even recover with it seriously though, if you intend to do any 4wding (you bought a jeep right) and you ever go out solo, put in that winch. If you're worried about weight use dyneema rope and forget about any issues. 80% of the weight on my winch is the wire cable! once it's done its day I'll replace it with the rope. I take my family out all the time by ourselves and I don't worry about anything. All the recovery gear in the world won't help you if you're the only one out there. Ride quality is fine, once I did the Clevis lift. When I replace my suspension soon the heavy duty springs and a strut plate will go in to compensate for the weight up front. With a fully loaded car including a packed roof rack I have yet to bottom out my kj, and my suspension is reaching the end of its life.
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seriously though, if you intend to do any 4wding (you bought a jeep right) and you ever go out solo, put in that winch. If you're worried about weight use dyneema rope and forget about any issues. 80% of the weight on my winch is the wire cable! once it's done its day I'll replace it with the rope. I take my family out all the time by ourselves and I don't worry about anything. All the recovery gear in the world won't help you if you're the only one out there. Ride quality is fine, once I did the Clevis lift. When I replace my suspension soon the heavy duty springs and a strut plate will go in to compensate for the weight up front. With a fully loaded car including a packed roof rack I have yet to bottom out my kj, and my suspension is reaching the end of its life.
