Thanks for all the input. If I get stuck it isn't a matter of throwing it in low, as I probably had it in low already. Trails around here can get pretty technical.
I'll have to see how this goes. I can see that I might have to spend a lot more on the mount than on the winch. That T-Max looks like a nice winch (on the outside anyway). Have you had good luck with it? The color would match my Kaiser, and the ribbed top would look good with the ribs in my fiberglass non-skid plate and the ribbed doors on the VX.
I don't want to lift it and go with huge tires, as the driving around here is all twisty mountain roads. I want to keep the superior road handling, yet still have a competent off-road ride. Without the big tires and a lift, maybe the winch isn't needed. I've never got so stuck that I haven't been able to get out, but it would be a blast to pull out a stranded jeep. I pulled a full-size truck out of the ditch on its side once with an old 250k miles subie. The look on the owner's face was priceless. I agree, it's all about the tires, but I have a new set of 285/60-18 Cooper Zeon LTZ performance all terrain-tires.
'01 Kaiser SC'ed VX #0867