Can You Get 100 Feet of Synthetic Line on a Harbor Freight Badland Winch?

[@alanwestport]

Good video. Two things. First is I would have used a threading tap and tapped the end of the rope that you bolted to the spool and then used a similar but longer hex head screw along with some Loctite to secure it. This would have eliminated the bolts head which is going to come into contact with the second winding of the line. If you prefer the bolt then I would suggest that you put multiple layers Gorilla, or similar tape over the bolt head because it's coming into direct contact with the second wind. Secondly after the first or second wind I would have used the Jeep, ignition off and in second gear (manual trans) to wind up the spool under load. It all ended up fitting but if it was under load when winding it would have fit tighter. I'm saying this last part not for you but for others wanting to switch to a synthetic rope that might be a bit to long. Thanks for making such an informative video.

[@JDKing-rj2oy]

RE the bolt that retains the beginning of the line - I'd have looked for a round head hex bolt to avoid abrading the line.

[@supercharged00gtp]

I believe you need to prelaod the line with at least a thousand lbs of tension. The theory is if you do not do that the rope can pinch down and get tangled in the drum rope once you put tension on the line if its not preloaded when initially loaded on the drum. I got that info from a Quadratec or Extreme Terrain video I watched before I bought my Smittybilt X20

[@AudioFreqx]

Happy hint. Use a 60 foot line then add extensions if needed so you always have less line on the spool for more torque. ;)

[@23steph13]

Torque wouldn't automatically be increased just by switching from steel to rope?

[@AudioFreqx]

@@23steph13 It has nothing to do with material since both are basically static materials. It has to do with a smaller diameter on the spool (than a full spool) and that equals more torque.

[@23steph13]

@@AudioFreqx ok I thought one being lighter weight would be the difference.

[@timheerboth9761]

Thanks. I was debating on the 95 vs the 130 foot rolls. Looks like it’s 95 for the win.

[@chemistrynut8827]

I wish you had shown the part where you actually fed the rope in, under the brake bar, and then the first layer of spool.

[@tyko909]

Remove the tension bar and get a cable stop to fully spool in without the hook. Looks good. I am gonna do the same swap when I exchange my winch for the newer model. Also, the bolt might have been better if you used a cap head machine screw and locktite orange.

[@andrewshappy5856]

I bought the HF apex synthetic rope for that same winch and it says to remove tensioner on winch or premature damage to synthetic rope will occur.

[@jayoutside6087]

Yes you should remove the tension bar it will eventually damage the rope. Just remember that you should leave 8 to 10 raps of rope on the drum when using synthetic rope.

[@pabloescobar7802]

5 raps .. it’s 5

[@simonsays5979]

the apex works great. I have mine on a cradle and i set it up to quick connect/disconnect front and rear. I am using mine on a 2008 f250 super duty that weighs 8000 pounds without people in it and the apex pulls it just fine with the synthetic line. My only complaint is the line is 80 feet but only about 75 feet are usable and you run out of that fast and have to use straps to get get the distance

[@dixonsantana-lamboy8432]

I’ll be installing the new apex winch on my gladiator in the coming days. Been thinking of doing a video on it because there isn’t much info out there on it yet.

[@4-LOW]

It looks very nice! I think you'll like it.

[@MF-rw3rb]

Very helpful video! The badland zxr I was looking at doesn't come with synthetic, so this is exactly what I was looking for. I'm willing to spend the money to save 15 lbs on cable, since my 4x4 is also my DD.

[@christianjensen3182]

I'm using mine in a portable way, moving from front receiver to rear receiver, so 20lbs will make a great difference in lifting it on to the receivers.

[@TigerRagFishingTeam]

Exactly what I trying to figure out - would 100' of 3/8 synthetic fit. Appreciate the video!

[@richardgarcia3016]

The Synthetic rope they make to upgrade has you take the tensioner off and run the new rope through the hole, tape it down, and run that bolt through. It was a pain but I got the rope through.

[@robandnell4305]

if the tension rod is perfictly smooth I don't think it will hurt the rope but i think the bolt to connect the rope will fray the rope on top of it. good luck

[@AbsolutionArmament]

I saw the same problem spot and cut off the tensioner. (different winch and line but had same problem.) I bought a bubba grabber but if you had a sowing machine or duct tape you could probably do the same thing. The line also lays way flatter and spools better.

[@1Turnatatime]

You mean wrapping tape around the tension bar so so the rope can spool in smoothly?

[@Wildersport]

I've been looking at that specific winch to fit the off road bumper on my 11th gen F150, but was concerned about the 65ft of cable they ship with it. I might just have to do this conversion!

[@1legjeepgirl263]

How has everything worked out? Did you take off the tensioner bar? The bolt idea working out ok?? Working on mine now.

[@nickhoffman1743]

What ended up being the bolt size/thread pitch/grade? Looking to do this soon with that exact synthetic cable

[@dutchoven7096]

This dude needs to answer dang

[@jeffsmith1830]

M8 bout half inch long.

[@23steph13]

Which rope is it? Looking to buy it.

[@tbrackett24]

M8 20mm - use a 10mm drill bit unless you want to tap it then 8mm. In US use 11/32 drill bit but who has that. Next size is 3/8 in that is what I used with a button head bolt.

[@olddadoutdoors]

Can you post a link on where you got your synthetic rope?

[@mrjata]

Should I take off the roller fairlead when I replace the cable with the nylon rope?

[@GusgusA1]

dont worry those mounting bolts are not meant to hold tension. some ropes even mount with tape ie Bubba

[@pabloescobar7802]

Ropes retain heat .. steel is a heat synch that draws heat from the motor .. after Melting a synthetic rope recently I’m going back to steel ..

[@artandsoundsociety5419]

Hey man, it’s a very strange world. I think you bought that a piece of equipment from Harbor freight I return that piece of equipment to Harbor freight I could tell I initialed it, so technically, is it still mine?

[@benkanobe7500]

Which one did you purchase of 100 foot rope on amazon?

[@Willg95]

Instructions from a amsteel blue says to take the tensioner off

[@ArizonaJK]

Please be careful. If that winch produces to much heat on that drum it could damage the synthetic rope. That drum might not have the insulation for that rope.

[@pabloescobar7802]

I melted a rope on a hard pull

[@campbellmarty36]

Is there anyway you can reverse the solenoid pack so that all those nest of wires and zip ties can be on the backside of the winch? Or are they designed to go one direction only??

[@tyko909]

I run my control box separate from the winch body. It's mounted to my grille. The box orientation is easily changed.

[@younghex9577]

This was so helpful thank you

[@younghex9577]

I just installed my synthetic winch line right now. It was surprisingly easy and pretty quick. I accidentally started to get the line twisted up and tangled so that slowed me down a bit. Oh and finding a bolt that would fit was a little tricky but I got lucky and found one in the garage with like 10 minutes. Also my harbor freight winch didn't come with a hook. I'm pretty sure someone stole it out of the box before I got it. So my winch was practically useless for a couple months. I have a 20 foot tow strap with hooks one the ends that I could've used as a substitute for my missing hook, if need be. But luckily I didn't get stuck with those couple months. Long story short I now have a fully usable winch.

[@codystobart8928]

Which size bolt?

[@younghex9577]

@@codystobart8928 no idea sorry. But it fit perfectly for me

[@Jayhowell72]

Did you raise the control box? I picked up the same winch and just like you with an aftermarket bumper, the wires are up against my grill. Twisting it around, I can’t get the remote cable in, the springs are in the way. I’m wondering if that tensioner is even needed. Adding synthetic line also.

[@frankekeler7682]

Ran mine through the grill and back out. Only 1 would not line up

[@JacobD596]

Which synthetic line did you buy??

[@4-LOW]

X-Bull SK75 Dyneema line - 3/8" x 100 feet

[@MrButterbean2787]

Why did you have all the wires coming out the front on top? I turned mine around and those ugly cables dont hang off the front.

[@4-LOW]

With the bumper I used, there was no room. The wires were pushing against the grille.

[@benkanobe7500]

Why not just use the original Fairlead as it has rollers as compared to sliding??

[@KiloEchoCharlie]

The rope can get pinched in the fairlead rollers and destroy it.

[@robertpc100]

Not trying to be mean but you have your box on top turned backwards.wires should come out through back.go video

[@simpsonrdlarry4385]

My 9 year old son would know enough to drive up to a tree or something, hook the cable up and back up to unspool the cable, but hey each to his own!😎👍👍