Winchcraft: The Dark Art

[CowboyTaco]

Yes, planning synthetic. I figured a tree saver, d-ring and snatch block ought to work just fine for synthetic or wire. I figured the 2 pack might be better to have in the event that you needed to better align the rope to go into the bumper.

Another thing I'm going to have to figure out is the fairlead. The ARB bumper has 4 holes in the corners and I'm pretty sure the hawse fairlead has holes on the sides. So either I'm going to have to drill the bumper or get an offset fairlead. The other option is to use a roller fairlead with poly rollers....the replacement poly rollers are like $50. That said, it seems most all the ones that come up on the first couple pages of Google and Amazon have holes the same as the hawse fairlead. This is quickly going from expensive to ridiculous expensive.

 

[PSU Taco85]

It happens when you get old... well hell.. you know!

they make a pill for that

 

[TacoXpo]

Yes, planning synthetic. I figured a tree saver, d-ring and snatch block ought to work just fine for synthetic or wire. I figured the 2 pack might be better to have in the event that you needed to better align the rope to go into the bumper.

Another thing I'm going to have to figure out is the fairlead. The ARB bumper has 4 holes in the corners and I'm pretty sure the hawse fairlead has holes on the sides. So either I'm going to have to drill the bumper or get an offset fairlead. The other option is to use a roller fairlead with poly rollers....the replacement poly rollers are like $50. That said, it seems most all the ones that come up on the first couple pages of Google and Amazon have holes the same as the hawse fairlead. This is quickly going from expensive to ridiculous expensive.

Know that Mr. Bill Burke has always insisted rollers are better for synth rope too. I agree with him but was too lazy to put a roller fairlead on before taking the winch off my truck!

 

[tx_shooter]

Know that Mr. Bill Burke has always insisted rollers are better for synth rope too. I agree with him but was too lazy to put a roller fairlead on before taking the winch off my truck!

If I used my winch as much as he does I would run rollers. I am still averaging once every 3-4 months. It has more pulls around the house pulling out wild shrubs than stuck vehicles at this point.

 

[Silverback]

Only time I have used my new winch is when we went to the Ozarks and Baker tried to get up close and personal with that tree.

 

[tx_shooter]

Only time I have used my new winch is when we went to the Ozarks and Baker tried to get up close and personal with that tree.

Still wish we had video of turning your Tacoma and trailer around.

 

[TacoXpo]

Only time I have used my new winch is when we went to the Ozarks and Baker tried to get up close and personal with that tree.

I'm not sure if I'm not taking the same risks or I am just going out with people who know how to drive off-road. The last time I used my winch, I recovered a trophy truck that was stuck in a ravine about 250 miles from La Paz. I enjoy running a winch. It seems to be more fun when a pilot of a $500-600k truck has no fucking idea how to safely winch! I guess one might say this guy didn't know how to drive either!

 

[bakerla]

Lots of talk here, I didn't read on it all. My Engo 9000 with synthetic line installed back in 2013 still works. Got to use it again back in October. It's noisy I guess compared to a more expensive winch, but still works well.

 

[tx_shooter]

Engo makes a great winch but their prices are catching up to Smitty and Warn now. They used to be a real hidden gem.

Speaking of - 4WheelParts pushing sales.

 

[Silverback]

I would still be rocking my Warn M8000 had I not bought that trailer. The extra amount of weight made me rethink it. I am very pleased with the SuperWinch Talon 12.5, I got it for 1/2 price ($550 IIRC). I thought they were just clearancing them for a new line. Nope, they had financial issues and how now pretty much shut down. I do see that Quadratec is still selling them. Maybe they are not out of business altogether after all.. just not making new shit. ??

Superwinch 161220 Talon 12.5 Winch with 3/8" x 85' Wire Rope

This is the industry's best truly sealed vehicle recovery winch assembly. All seals on the entire winch meet the IP67 standard, from the outermost end of the high performance motor and groundbreaking solenoid to the 2-stage planetary and 2-stage spur gearbox. The sealed 5.2 and 6.

www.quadratec.com

 

[TacoXpo]

I would still be rocking my Warn M8000 had I not bought that trailer. The extra amount of weight made me rethink it. I am very pleased with the SuperWinch Talon 12.5, I got it for 1/2 price ($550 IIRC). I thought they were just clearancing them for a new line. Nope, they had financial issues and how now pretty much shut down. I do see that Quadratec is still selling them. Maybe they are not out of business altogether after all.. just not making new shit. ??

Superwinch 161220 Talon 12.5 Winch with 3/8" x 85' Wire Rope

This is the industry's best truly sealed vehicle recovery winch assembly. All seals on the entire winch meet the IP67 standard, from the outermost end of the high performance motor and groundbreaking solenoid to the 2-stage planetary and 2-stage spur gearbox. The sealed 5.2 and 6.

www.quadratec.com

Mr. Burke was a big SuperWinch guy. I think I still have a pair of SuperWinch gloves I got from him.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I don't expect it to get used much....if at all. But I do plan on getting out a bit more and not having a winch has been my excuse for not going when I was the only truck. Georgia ain't like Utah....just about every trail is loaded with mature pines, so I'm fairly certain that I'd have something solid to utilize as a winching point.

Also, as expensive as a winch is, still probably cheaper than an offroad recovery/tow. So it's sort of expensive insurance. That, plus the comments about needing them to work when you need them. I wouldn't give a crap how good the customer service of a company was if I had a thousand dollar tow bill because the winch failed.

Engo makes a great winch but their prices are catching up to Smitty and Warn now. They used to be a real hidden gem.

Speaking of - 4WheelParts pushing sales.

View attachment 40136

The VR Evo 10-s is still ~$130 more expensive than it is at AutoZone currently. https://www.autozone.com/towing/winch/p/warn-winch-103253/1076049_0_0

 

[CowboyTaco]

So this came yesterday.

I still need to figure a few things out. Got it at AutoZone for $734 before tax and free shipping.

Wife was not thrilled.

 

[Silverback]

Buy once, cry once.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Buy once, cry once.

Yeah. It was expensive. I could have gone a cheaper route, but I'm hoping this is the only winch I ever have to buy. Grandpa has an old Warn that he's had on an old jeep for like 30 years and it is still going strong. Maybe I shouldn't make that statement confidently, because I'm not sure when the last time he tried to use it was. Nor do they make them like they used to.

Warn seems to have the best reputation and the few trails that I've done over here have had spotty cell reception at best. I'm hoping to get out and explore more, especially as the kids are getting older.

 

[CowboyTaco]

First snag:

I could cut the bumper, but some folks online suggest that it is integral to the bumper integrity, so I guess I'm looking for either an offset hawse fairlead or a non-metal roller fairlead.

I've read that a metal roller fairlead will work just fine, but they aren't recommended because if the metal gets damaged in any way it can cause the synthetic rope to fray (and thus weaken).

 

[Silverback]

Just get an offset one. easy fix. Just money.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I did find this guy for relatively cheap: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...41nDciwLt57338ZBMTvLvHF0Pt_5ez-xoCkPEQAvD_BwE

Seems like the daystar poly roller leads are out of stock just about everywhere. KU70054BK Roller Fairlead Rope Rollers For Synthetic Winch Rope Black

I may just go with the cheap Summit Racing fairlead. Since it is new, it shouldn't hurt the rope and the extra height of the fairlead should help clear the bumper in the event of a side pull.

Edit: scratch that. I hate when places charge the same as the part for shipping.

Here's an offset hawse fairlead for relatively cheap: https://www.autozone.com/winch-and-...xxiHC_l9A-HD7Y32D4hoCR7gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and free shipping. It says that it is for "light duty" which leaves me a little concerned. Does that mean that it is crap quality and any sort of pressure is going to cause issues, or is it like "light truck" tires where "light" basically means it is smaller than a semi-truck?

 

[TacoXpo]

First snag:
View attachment 40223

I could cut the bumper, but some folks online suggest that it is integral to the bumper integrity, so I guess I'm looking for either an offset hawse fairlead or a non-metal roller fairlead.

I've read that a metal roller fairlead will work just fine, but they aren't recommended because if the metal gets damaged in any way it can cause the synthetic rope to fray (and thus weaken).

Bummer. Or just do a pre-flight before you go crazy wheeling to check for nicks on rollers

I did find this guy for relatively cheap: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...41nDciwLt57338ZBMTvLvHF0Pt_5ez-xoCkPEQAvD_BwE

Seems like the daystar poly roller leads are out of stock just about everywhere. KU70054BK Roller Fairlead Rope Rollers For Synthetic Winch Rope Black

I may just go with the cheap Summit Racing fairlead. Since it is new, it shouldn't hurt the rope and the extra height of the fairlead should help clear the bumper in the event of a side pull.

Edit: scratch that. I hate when places charge the same as the part for shipping.

Here's an offset hawse fairlead for relatively cheap: https://www.autozone.com/winch-and-...xxiHC_l9A-HD7Y32D4hoCR7gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and free shipping. It says that it is for "light duty" which leaves me a little concerned. Does that mean that it is crap quality and any sort of pressure is going to cause issues, or is it like "light truck" tires where "light" basically means it is smaller than a semi-truck?

I still have a set of those rollers and a new roller fairlead that never made it to my bumper.
.

 

[PSU Taco85]

First snag:
View attachment 40223

I could cut the bumper, but some folks online suggest that it is integral to the bumper integrity, so I guess I'm looking for either an offset hawse fairlead or a non-metal roller fairlead.

I've read that a metal roller fairlead will work just fine, but they aren't recommended because if the metal gets damaged in any way it can cause the synthetic rope to fray (and thus weaken).

Several companies make offset hawse style fairleads. I now remember doing this install on my buddies truck with an ARB

https://www.warn.com/hawse-fairlead-offset-black-106880

Offset Hawse Fairlead

The Factor 55 Offset Hawse Fairlead is specifically for applications with offset openings, such as some ARB-style bumpers. It's 1.5” thickness is thicker than the usual industry standard of .75"

factor55.com