OEM Winch - Synthetic Winch Line, Fairlead?

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A

ADP91

Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Threads
4
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Location
Vancouver, BC
Hi everyone,

I have an OEM winch but I'm still running the stock bumper (no cut out yet). Before I cut up my stock bumper for the winch opening I wanted to see if anyone has replaced the steel cable with synthetic winch line. My understanding is that I would need to replace the rollers with a fairlead - has anyone run a fairlead in the stock bumper? Wondering if the stock bumper is even robust enough to support a fairlead.. (see reference picture below). I don't imagine I'll be using the winch a lot but I'd like it to be as user friendly and safe as possible when I do need it.

Thanks!

LC80 Fairlead.webp
 
ADP91 said:
Hi everyone,

I have an OEM winch but I'm still running the stock bumper (no cut out yet). Before I cut up my stock bumper for the winch opening I wanted to see if anyone has replaced the steel cable with synthetic winch line. My understanding is that I would need to replace the rollers with a fairlead - has anyone run a fairlead in the stock bumper? Wondering if the stock bumper is even robust enough to support a fairlead.. (see reference picture below). I don't imagine I'll be using the winch a lot but I'd like it to be as user friendly and safe as possible when I do need it.

Thanks!

View attachment 4163712
Click to expand...
Sorry, you have an 80 series with an OEM winch, now, and there’s no cut out or oem fairlead installed to use it? I understand the picture is not of your 80, but is this the result you’re looking for?
 
I bought the OEM winch, its just not installed yet. The picture is an example of a stock bumper with a fairlead installed - curious if folks have had issues with damaging the bumper when running a fairlead on it. The stock OEM winch setup uses rollers that are independent of the bumper I believe. Appreciate any insights
 
ADP91 said:
I bought the OEM winch, its just not installed yet. The picture is an example of a stock bumper with a fairlead installed - curious if folks have had issues with damaging the bumper when running a fairlead on it. The stock OEM winch setup uses rollers that are independent of the bumper I believe. Appreciate any insights
Click to expand...
OK. That’s a better explanation. Hopefully you’ll get the help you need. I can’t help you much, I have a ARB bumper with an aftermarket winch on it. I prefer to have a winch that’s easily accessible.
 
I would think that as long as the fairlead is mounted to a strengthened mount behind the bumper that attaches to the chassis rails then there should be no force applied to the bumper when in use. The bumper itself would not be able to handle any of the load applied by the winch
 
ADP91 said:
Hi everyone,

I have an OEM winch but I'm still running the stock bumper (no cut out yet). Before I cut up my stock bumper for the winch opening I wanted to see if anyone has replaced the steel cable with synthetic winch line. My understanding is that I would need to replace the rollers with a fairlead - has anyone run a fairlead in the stock bumper? Wondering if the stock bumper is even robust enough to support a fairlead.. (see reference picture below). I don't imagine I'll be using the winch a lot but I'd like it to be as user friendly and safe as possible when I do need it.

Thanks!

View attachment 4163712
Click to expand...

The rollers ARE a type of fairlead, but for synthetic line, you need a Hawse style fairlead, which is basically a smooth rounded slot. The fairlead is there to protect your sheet metal from the winch line and vice-versa. Looking at that picture, I would assume there's a hidden winch mount with a Hawse style fairlead installed on it, with a hole cut in the bumper that's the size of the fairlead.
 
You can use a roller fairlead with synthetic rope, BUT it needs specific rollers that won't get burrs, and won't allow the rope to pinch in the corners.
A roller fairlead reduces friction on the rope, and gives the rope a bigger radius to bend around which reduces strain on the rope in some situations.

A hawse fairlead is tidier, less bulky, simpler and works just fine in majority of use cases
 
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FWIW, I run a roller fairlead with synthetic rope.

it NEVER ran steel rope, so the rollers are smooth, and I avoid steep off angle pulls on the RARE occasion i'm using the winch. not much need for a winch in the suburbs here :)

in your case, a hawse fairlead would look cleaner. i have an ARB bumper and the rollers fit the period look to me.
 
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