Harbor Freight Winches (1 Viewer)

[skidplate]

I can see the confusion, I cut some squares out of a foam sleeping pad and siliconed them in the ends of the tube just to keep water out. Because I didn't want to mess with the bull bar, I just used the 4 existing holes where the tow hooks are mounted and drilled the mounting plate to match. Those are the only 4 mounting bolts. If I didn't have the bull bar, I think I could have moved the mounting channel further twords the front of the truck. This would have eliminated the need for the 1" spacers. The bottom of the fairlead would have been hanging over the front of the bumper. If you need more pics, let me know.

 

[80t0ylc]

I can see the confusion, I cut some squares out of a foam sleeping pad and siliconed them in the ends of the tube just to keep water out. Because I didn't want to mess with the bull bar, I just used the 4 existing holes where the tow hooks are mounted and drilled the mounting plate to match. Those are the only 4 mounting bolts. If I didn't have the bull bar, I think I could have moved the mounting channel further twords the front of the truck. This would have eliminated the need for the 1" spacers. The bottom of the fairlead would have been hanging over the front of the bumper. If you need more pics, let me know.

Ok, I can picture it now. If it were me, I'd want the winch mounting plate, bolted directly to the frame (no spacers) and the bolts more spread out, than the tow hook bolts. In other words, the 4 bolts evenly spaced from front and rear edges of plate. Looks like now, the tow hook bolts are more biased towards the rear of the plate. When your winch is under heavy torque, you could bend or over-stress the plate if not evenly supported. If you're going to use spacers, use solid bars -those tubes look a little on the weak side -IMHO.

 

[cruiserdan]

There is a cupon floating around for the 12000 lb winch for 299.00 that expires in February. Anybody have that number handy? I tossed the ad by mistake.....

 

[ERG80]

There is a cupon floating around for the 12000 lb winch for 299.00 that expires in February. Anybody have that number handy? I tossed the ad by mistake.....

Dan, I have one that expires 1-31. code 10412483

 

[cruiserdan]

SWEET!

 

[sk8salomon]

Does anyone else's remote suck. I used it for the first time really the otherday, and kept having to beat it to make it work.

make sure that little black ground wire is properly grounded. if it isn't, it will give you on/off issues when using the remote.

finally got mine put in and wired up. i'll see if i can post a video. i was happy with the install although i couldn't fit the remote box on top of the winch so i had to take it apart and modify the box brackets. will post another pic.

 

[BamaPaul]

Good looking install is that the hf winch plate?

 

[sk8salomon]

Good looking install is that the hf winch plate?

no, i just welded a piece of plate between the frame. i can remove my bumper without the winch coming off with it now.

here's a vid i shot yesterday. worked pretty good except it started slowing down near the end of the cable, mainly due to the mechanical advantage (or disadvantage). The longer the lead, the more pull you have (smaller pulley diameter).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28BgZG1fA8

 

[duggy]

I ordered Masterpull synthetic line for my 12k. ill post up how it all connects soon

 

[srgould41]

I bought my HF 12k winch last summer. I have used it a bunch of times (not all for my own rig ).

The winch has been reliable, but the cable sucks. I ruined it in short order. It is so stiff that every time I set the winch to free wheel the cable springs loose into a rats nest.

Last week I picked up a replacement cable from a local company for $43.80, tax included. The new cable is much more flexible. I hope it lasts more than 1 season.

 

[duggy]

I bought my HF 12k winch last summer. I have used it a bunch of times (not all for my own rig ).

The winch has been reliable, but the cable sucks. I ruined it in short order. It is so stiff that every time I set the winch to free wheel the cable springs loose into a rats nest.

Last week I picked up a replacement cable from a local company for $43.80, tax included. The new cable is much more flexible. I hope it lasts more than 1 season.

I can agree with this. If you don't spool it correctly, it will bunch up and hit the supporting bars. I guess this goes with any winch but I'm hoping the synthetic line will be less of a pain in the ass.

 

[srgould41]

I almost bought synthetic, but couldn't justify the $200 price tag. Let us know how it works out.

I can agree with this. If you don't spool it correctly, it will bunch up and hit the supporting bars. I guess this goes with any winch but I'm hoping the synthetic line will be less of a pain in the ass.

 

[JamesR]

I'm working on a bumper that uses F-250 mounts that bolt to the frame, the HF winch mounting plate, and the HF 12k winch. I'll take some photos within the next couple of days.

 

[Living in the Past]

The winch has been reliable, but the cable sucks. I ruined it in short order. It is so stiff that every time I set the winch to free wheel the cable springs loose into a rats nest.

Before! I release the spool I use the winch motor to take the tension off the spool. Then I use my hand to put some tension on the cable on the spool while pull cable out. Then roll the cable as tight as once its attached before locking spool. May take longer but while using a winch is no time to race. For $300 I wouldn't it best winch setup out there. I figure it I take care of it it will work for me when I need it.

 

[duggy]

Trust me, the steel cables suck on all of the winches.

I installed the masterpull synthetic line on mine and waved goodbye to the steel line forever. It went on with little drama.

While I had everything apart, I took the privilege to clock the winch and looked at the internals of the winch. The original grease is still in there with no signs of water intrusion. After 10 or so serious pulls on the winch (some stuck in serious water) I'm very surprised that no water has entered the internals.

 

[gr8drives]

HF 12K Winch coupon valid through 2/28/2013

FYI...

 

[srgould41]

When I bought mine the store manager also let me use a 20% coupon on top of the $299 one. I didn't need a 12k, but I just couldn't say no to the $240 price.

 

[duggy]

I used the synthetic line today without any issues. I'm sold on this winch after having it for 6 months and multiple hard pulls. It's the real deal, especially since my buddies smittybilt winch died today.

 

[90FJ]

When I bought mine the store manager also let me use a 20% coupon on top of the $299 one. I didn't need a 12k, but I just couldn't say no to the $240 price.

Dayum, I just bought mine at $299. Didn't bother printing my coupon just had the scan the ipad. Got the 2yr warranty and mounting plate so $399 out the door.

 

[Living in the Past]

Trust me, the steel cables suck on all of the winches.

Curious how long you been running your synthetic line? That is kind of a bold statement. I bought my first winch in 1982, a used OEM PTO winch with it's original steel cable (1972) which I still use today. Living in a dry desert climit No way would I trust a synthetic line had half that age here in the desert.