i was looking into purchasing a winch for my tracker, haven't done anything yet.. you don't need an 8000lb but if you're stuck in some major crap it might save you an hour or shoveling the worlds stickiest muck that's acting like a suction cup around your rig. that is about the only reason i could see this size being needed. most guys i run with use 8000lb winches on their heeps that weigh more that our zuks and they have no problems, i'm set that when i buy i'll be going 6000lbs or less. that 9500 from costco weighs over 100lbs with the tray! i dunno what you have for springs but they're gonna sag under that weight! i think warn or superwinch has a nice 5000lbs that weighs less than 50lbs, change to synthetic line and you'll drop another 10lbs..... small also. i'm on board though with not have a winch bumper due to cost and weight, this is the route i plan to eventually take, just too much other crap keeping me busy these days ..... good luck!