Check out the recent (March '04) issue of Four Wheeler magazine. They have a good article of advanced winch rigging setups, and good info on calculating pulling resistance and multiplying pulling power.

If you're going to be playing in mud the 1.5 times your weight rule goes clean out the window. If you're ever going to be up to your hubs in mud plan 200% and if you go to your frame plan 300%. I'd get a 9500 with plenty of extension lines, snatch blocks, and a pull pal or two (or you can bury your spare tire, just rememeber a shovel). I'm running a 12000 (since that's what i already had) and i've never used a snatch to pull me out. Plus the winch only cost me $600 new. It's a Milemarker E12000, compared to the warn M12000 it pulls faster and at a lower amp draw when loaded. It's always gotten me out so i can't complain.

Justin

At 20 feet above sea level, level ground is usually the only place I get stuck.

Predator 4x4 in Colorado sells a brand called Magnum. This is a private-label winch manufactured by Warn which is required to meet the same specs as any other warn (of the same weight rating). It doesn't have any of the fancy trim or wireless remotes, but will get the job done. Predator sells a 9k for $549, you should be able to find 'em on ebay for around $499.