If you spend enough time on the trail, it’s only a matter of time before you get stuck and that’s exactly why a winch isn’t just a nice accessory. It’s a must. The thing about winches, though, is that not all of them are created equal. Some will do the job… eventually. Others, like the Warn Zeon 10 winch, are built to do it fast, reliably, and with the kind of durability that makes you breathe a little easier when you hear that first tire spin in the mud.
There’s a reason Warn sits at the top of the winch game. The name itself carries serious weight in the off-roading world and not just because their winches can pull a truck out of a ditch. It’s about trust. Precision. Proven performance. So when it came time to gear up my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, there really wasn’t much debate. The Warn Zeon 10 was the move.
From the moment I cracked open the box, I could tell this winch meant business. The build quality is just on another level, metal everywhere you want it, a clean symmetrical design, and that signature Warn attitude that says, “Go ahead. Try to get stuck.” And while I haven’t had to use it in the wild yet (and fingers crossed I won’t anytime soon), I know that when the moment comes, this winch will earn its keep.
In this review, I’ll walk you through what it’s like owning a Zeon 10 from first impressions and install to the little upgrades that make it even better. If you’re on the fence about which winch to trust with your rig, this breakdown might be exactly what you need. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Warn Zeon 10 Winch Specs
This is a vehicle-mounted 12-volt electric winch that comes standard with a 3/8-inch steel line, though I replaced that with a synthetic line…more on that in a bit.
It has a series wound motor and a planetary drive gear, as well as a mechanical cone brake. Other specs include:
- 216:1 gear reduction ratio
- 10,000-pound max line pull
- 4.8 feet per second line speed
- Free spooling
- Standard 3/8-inch steel line (80 ft)
- Standard roller type fairlead
- Automatic operation with handheld remote switch
So, as you can see, this bad boy comes to the party fully prepared. The Zeon 10 and other Zeon series winches are in Warn’s premium line, which means you get a symmetrical design, full metal armor, and other perks.
Additionally, the Warn Zeon 10 has a larger diameter aluminum drum (as opposed to the smaller steel drums you find on Warn’s VR line of winches). Not only does this larger diameter drum help protect your line from stress, but it also offers faster heat dissipation.
With a 10,000-pound max line pull, this winch is overkill for my Gladiator. But I’d rather have too much than not enough! Something else that’s worth noting is the blazing-fast line speed of 4.8 feet per second. When I get stuck, I want to get unstuck sooner rather than later, and with this winch, that will certainly be possible.
Warn Zeon 10 Winch First Impressions
As I said in the introduction, Warn is synonymous with high-quality winches. And boy, is that confirmed the minute you unbox one of these things.
The attention to detail and craftsmanship of this winch is second to none. When you’re out in the wilderness and you need to extract yourself from a situation, having the reliability and durability of a Warn winch to rely on gives you tons of peace of mind.
There’s something to be said for the aesthetics of this winch as well. It simply looks badass! You can see how much better my rig looks with the winch on there as opposed to what it looked like before the install:
Now, I know that how something looks isn’t as important as how it works, but at the same time, I want my rig to look right. And the Warn Zeon 10 fits right in with the vibe I wanted for my truck.
From a functionality standpoint, this Winch offers all the features and capabilities I need for the type of off-roading and overlanding that I do. In addition to the features I’ve already discussed, I’m impressed that Warn developed this winch to have a lower amp draw. That means that when I need to use it, I will get great performance and improved efficiency with more sustainable pulling power without worrying about draining my battery.
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Winch Installation
Installation of the winch couldn’t have been easier…
It was a direct-bolt to my Rebel Off Road Summit bumper which matches the Warn Zeon’s 10-inch by 4.5-inch bolt pattern.
It took me less than an hour to mount the winch to my bumper. Even if you’ve never mounted a winch before, the process is simple and straightforward and should be no issue for you to handle.
In addition to mounting the winch to my Rebel Off Road bumper, I’ve installed some other accessories to go with the winch.
I added a Warn 1.5-inch Epic Hawse Fairlead, which is made of forged billet aluminum for improved resistance to corrosion, salt, impact, and weather. The large radius opening minimizes line wear as well.
Speaking of the line, I upgraded the line from the 80-foot 3/8-inch steel line to a 3/8-inch 100-foot Spydura Nightline synthetic line from Warn that essentially makes this a 10S winch. So not only do I get the added strength of a synthetic line, but I also get the advantage of 20 more feet of line, plus a heat-resistant Nomex sleeve to protect the rope from drum temperatures. There’s also a reflective strand that will help me see the line when using it at night.
I upgraded the hook to the Factor 55 UltraHook. This sucker has a closed system shackle mount hole that’s machined directly into the body. It has a safety latch retraction pocket that gives you a clear throat opening. It also has a secondary safety latch lock for added safety. Factor 55 also thought to add EPDM rubber pads to protect the fairlead. The hook also has a titanium double shear pin.
Last but not least, I also installed two KC Gravity LED G34 lights that give me the option of using them as driving lights, fog beams, or wide-40 beams.
As driving lights, these things put out 2,300 lumens and 600 lux with 60,000 candela. The light is clean and crisp at 5000K while drawing just 1.19-1.35 amps. Needless to say, they cap off a functional (and great-looking) setup on my front bumper that is centered around my Warn Zeon 10 winch.
Why Warn?
So, why did I choose a Warn winch?
As I noted earlier, Warn is known around the world for its winches. You don’t develop that kind of reputation by accident! So I knew that when I ordered a winch, I wanted the best. I think I got it!
Aside from the build quality and reliability, the ease of installation was another factor in getting this winch. Less than an hour was needed for the install, so it wasn’t a long, drawn-out process to get it mounted to my bumper.
I also have to mention the availability of accessories as being another factor in choosing a Warn winch. From ropes to fairleads, remotes to covers, there are a ton of things you can get to make your Warn winch even better.
There’s something to be said for peace of mind, too. Warn takes pride in its process of research and development, and it shows in the products they produce. I know that even though I haven’t had to use my Warn Zeon 10 winch yet, when that occasion comes, I will get the proven performance of a Warn winch. That peace of mind is worth the price of admission for sure!
FAQs
Is the Warn Zeon 10 overkill for smaller rigs like a Gladiator or Tacoma?
Technically yes, it’s rated at 10,000 pounds, which is more than enough for mid-size trucks. But that’s not a bad thing. Having extra capacity gives you peace of mind when you’re pulling uphill, dragging through sticky mud, or recovering another vehicle. It’s always better to have more power than not enough. Plus, the lower strain means it works more efficiently and lasts longer.
What’s the benefit of swapping to a synthetic rope instead of sticking with the steel line?
Synthetic rope is lighter, easier to handle, and safer if it ever snaps under tension, it just drops instead of whipping around. I upgraded to the Spydura Nightline from Warn, and the 100-foot length plus the reflective strand makes it perfect for low-light recoveries. You also get the added bonus of better heat protection with the Nomex sleeve. Steel has its place, but for me, synthetic just makes more sense.
Is the Zeon 10 hard to install if you’ve never mounted a winch before?
Not at all. It’s designed with DIYers in mind. If your bumper has the standard 10” x 4.5” bolt pattern, it’s a straight bolt-on. I mounted mine to a Rebel Off Road Summit bumper in under an hour with basic tools. The wiring is straightforward too, especially with a bit of patience and planning. Warn even provides clear instructions, rare in this industry, let’s be honest.
How does this winch hold up in real-world conditions?
While I haven’t had to use mine in the field just yet, the Zeon series is built to take a beating. It’s fully sealed to keep water and dust out, and the metal housing gives it serious toughness. With the larger aluminum drum, it dissipates heat better and reduces wear on the line. Basically, it’s made for hard use, and that gives me confidence every time I hit the trail.
What other upgrades or accessories do you recommend for a Zeon 10?
There’s a lot of good stuff out there, but I’d start with a fairlead upgrade, a quality synthetic rope, and a hook you trust. I went with the Epic Hawse Fairlead and Factor 55 UltraHook, and both have been rock solid. Throw in some aux lights like the KC Gravity G34s I added, and you’ve got a complete, capable setup that not only works great but looks the part too.
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