Steep slopes, deep mud bogs,...
Steep slopes, deep mud bogs, and even rollovers are no match for the Warn XT40 UTV winch. Loaded with features that make it the premium winch for side-by-side owners, the only thing we're wishing for now is a bigger battery to allow for longer pulls. The OE battery is good for about 10 minutes of hard winching before things start to slow down.
The side-by-side market has grown by leaps and bounds in recent months. As we continue to discover the endless array of bolt-on products offered by the aftermarket, we've started to wonder when, if ever, there is going to be a dip in growth. Surely the economic downturn will eventually neutralize the demand for these crazy carts, right? Rumor has it that Suzuki is about to release its variant of the popular two-seat platform. That makes more than six major offerings in the segment, which leads us to believe that the future of UTVs in the dirt is better than that of the SUVs. This is precisely why we got our hands on a '08 Rhino 700 to do a buildup.
Warn Industries is a name that is synonymous to the 4x4 marketplace, so we really weren't surprised to see them jump aboard the fast-moving side-by-side product wave to offer a whole assortment of bolt-on goodies. One of said products we really took a liking to, and decided to test for ourselves, was the new Rhino front winch bumper. Everyone knows a good winch bumper begs for a dependable winch, so our product request also included the most appropriately sized XT40 UTV winch. Installation of both items was a simple bolt-on affair that literally took us less than two hours from start to finish. Once installed, the upgrade added to the toughness we've sought since the beginning. The winch provides us with even greater confidence on the trail, and the wireless remote control adds a degree of techno-wizardry to the otherwise straightforward build. Read on to see what we think of the setup after a month of testing.
How Does It Work?
No regrets. We're ecstatic with our new front bumper arrangement. The winch works awesome, and we're completely satisfied with the wrinkle-finish powdercoat Warn includes with the bumper. The installation was a snap, and now we have a look that sets our Rhino apart from others out on the trail. Now, if we could just find a better battery setup.
 The Warn XT40 is rated to...  The Warn XT40 is rated to pull up to 4,000 pounds and features 50 feet of lightweight, easy-to-handle synthetic rope. The roller fairlead helps keep chafing to a minimum, while the sealed geartrain keeps water and mud out. |  Check out the sealed relay...  Check out the sealed relay pack that controls the direction of the 1.5hp permanent magnet motor. We mounted this little guy just above the battery box under the hood of our Rhino. This installation kept wiring simple and ensures the supplied six-gauge power and ground cables are easy to find for future troubleshooting. |  Warn also includes a hand-held...  Warn also includes a hand-held wireless remote control for scenarios where a second set of eyes and hands is better, or for self-recovering after a tumble. This is a handy gadget to have when it isn't safe to control the winch from inside the vehicle. |
 The included dash-mounted...  The included dash-mounted rocker switch allows for a simple interface when driver control is preferred. |  Warn also offers a trick-looking...  Warn also offers a trick-looking aluminum skidplate package for the Rhino. Designed to tie into the existing undercarriage fasteners, this kit completes the rugged look while offering substantial protection of the suspension and other vital parts. We didn't install this kit because it was designed to work with the factory suspension parts and it wouldn't fit with our Fabtech long-travel suspension kit. |  As you can see here, the Warn...  As you can see here, the Warn front winch bumper adds to the already bold look of our project Rhino. We dig the plate-steel look of the bumper. It looks tougher than most other tube-type bumpers we've seen. The tubular stinger helps protect the hood in case of a rollover, and the factory front receiver mount is still quite accessible, should we ever decide to add it. We remounted a single Baja Designs Forward Lighting LED lamp in the void area where the included aluminum skidplate would normally go. This light kicks out an outstanding 2,880 lumens, while drawing a minimal 50 watts from the electrical system. |