6 months past my install of the Harbor Freight Badlands 12k Winch into my TJM-17 steel bumper, I wanted to get the write-up of my work done. I purchased the Badlands unit for 299. and at that price, went ahead and got the 2 year replacement warranty for the extra $50. I use the winch regularly mostly for car recovery.
HISTORY:
The TJM-17 steel bumper I purchased several years ago on a 4X4Connection close-out. The TJM is designed to take the Warn M8000/i8000 series winches as a bolt-in. After several weeks of research on various options that would fit, I found the fitment-critical dimensions of the Badlands 12k were actually smaller than the Warn even with the Badland's larger 6hp motor, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger with a online HF special coupon.
INSTALLATION:
The install was a direct bolt-in as expected, however the winch release lever was not clocked correctly for the access panel on the top of the TJM. Makes for a tight release from up top, and I will eventually re-clock the end cap to align the release. The Solenoid box is behind the bumper on the PS outside the frame rail using the stock length leads. The s-box is sealed, as I modified the solenoid box to take the Warn Wireless Remote (Warn 76080). I pinned out the Warn Remote in about an hour, and IIRC, it was a simple 4 wire hookup to the HF winch solenoid.
I reinforced the lower portion of the TJM with a Lowes-home-made skidplate that ties the TJM>to>double 3/8x2" plates between frame rails>to>steering damper and lower plate frame mounts. IME, this mod reinforces the weak point of TJM winch bumpers - the lower portion of the bumper tends to bend under hard winch load. I also installed a bumper hitch on the frame rail plates (Reese 81378), and cut an access port through the skidplate. These mods allow a removable front hitch mount:
RESULTS:
I use the winch a few times a week, primarily to haul/skid cars onto a tandem axle trailer. I purchased a 16in extended class III hitch (from etrailer - Hidden Hitch 80233), which allows me to mount the trailer to the front of the truck, then winch cars onto it. With the Warn Wireless Remote, I sit in the vehicle being winched, and steer onto the trailer = luxury at it's best. You will notice in the above pic, the access port (lower right in pic) to put the hitch-pin in the hitch. Also note the front airbag install, which I covered in a thread several years ago. I run the airbags at 30psi to keep the stock ride height with weight of the winch and bumper (~150lbs combined). I used the Daystar Winch Isolator (KU70039RE) in the fairlead to keep the winch tensioned/quiet, the water out better, and it also acts as a cable dead-drop. The 'handled' hitch pin I sourced from Tractor Supply, it helps the under-pan access install/removal. When installed fully for vehicle/trailer recovery, the setup looks like this:
SUMMARY
I am very pleased with the quality and operation of the Badlands 12k. It's very well built, and seems to have all the motor/gear design engineering found in winches costing several times the price. I don't find any winch I've owned over the years to be 'fast' (I always thought that was a gearing issue anyhow) so I won't comment on that aspect of it, it's pretty much as expected. And, like all other winches I use, I try to get as close as possible to what I need to pull. The 6hp motor is really strong, and rarely bogs, even under some pretty extreme loads. The end result of the install exceeded my expectations. It's a clean, low profile, weather protected setup that doesn't excessively clutter the front end of the truck. BTW, the Daystar Isolator comes in camo and black, for those so inclined.
If there is interest, I can dig through my files to find the exact pin-out of the Warn 76080 Wireless Remote.
Cheers and HTH
Scott J
94 FZJ80 Supercharged with Warn Wireless Remote modded HF Badlands 12k
HISTORY:
The TJM-17 steel bumper I purchased several years ago on a 4X4Connection close-out. The TJM is designed to take the Warn M8000/i8000 series winches as a bolt-in. After several weeks of research on various options that would fit, I found the fitment-critical dimensions of the Badlands 12k were actually smaller than the Warn even with the Badland's larger 6hp motor, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger with a online HF special coupon.
INSTALLATION:
The install was a direct bolt-in as expected, however the winch release lever was not clocked correctly for the access panel on the top of the TJM. Makes for a tight release from up top, and I will eventually re-clock the end cap to align the release. The Solenoid box is behind the bumper on the PS outside the frame rail using the stock length leads. The s-box is sealed, as I modified the solenoid box to take the Warn Wireless Remote (Warn 76080). I pinned out the Warn Remote in about an hour, and IIRC, it was a simple 4 wire hookup to the HF winch solenoid.
I reinforced the lower portion of the TJM with a Lowes-home-made skidplate that ties the TJM>to>double 3/8x2" plates between frame rails>to>steering damper and lower plate frame mounts. IME, this mod reinforces the weak point of TJM winch bumpers - the lower portion of the bumper tends to bend under hard winch load. I also installed a bumper hitch on the frame rail plates (Reese 81378), and cut an access port through the skidplate. These mods allow a removable front hitch mount:
RESULTS:
I use the winch a few times a week, primarily to haul/skid cars onto a tandem axle trailer. I purchased a 16in extended class III hitch (from etrailer - Hidden Hitch 80233), which allows me to mount the trailer to the front of the truck, then winch cars onto it. With the Warn Wireless Remote, I sit in the vehicle being winched, and steer onto the trailer = luxury at it's best. You will notice in the above pic, the access port (lower right in pic) to put the hitch-pin in the hitch. Also note the front airbag install, which I covered in a thread several years ago. I run the airbags at 30psi to keep the stock ride height with weight of the winch and bumper (~150lbs combined). I used the Daystar Winch Isolator (KU70039RE) in the fairlead to keep the winch tensioned/quiet, the water out better, and it also acts as a cable dead-drop. The 'handled' hitch pin I sourced from Tractor Supply, it helps the under-pan access install/removal. When installed fully for vehicle/trailer recovery, the setup looks like this:
SUMMARY
I am very pleased with the quality and operation of the Badlands 12k. It's very well built, and seems to have all the motor/gear design engineering found in winches costing several times the price. I don't find any winch I've owned over the years to be 'fast' (I always thought that was a gearing issue anyhow) so I won't comment on that aspect of it, it's pretty much as expected. And, like all other winches I use, I try to get as close as possible to what I need to pull. The 6hp motor is really strong, and rarely bogs, even under some pretty extreme loads. The end result of the install exceeded my expectations. It's a clean, low profile, weather protected setup that doesn't excessively clutter the front end of the truck. BTW, the Daystar Isolator comes in camo and black, for those so inclined.
If there is interest, I can dig through my files to find the exact pin-out of the Warn 76080 Wireless Remote.
Cheers and HTH
Scott J
94 FZJ80 Supercharged with Warn Wireless Remote modded HF Badlands 12k
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