Opinions and install info - Harbor Freight 12k Winch w/ 98-02 ARB Bumper 3413050

[Mike NXP]

Alright so this is all good information and sort of what I expected to hear but I'm still not sold this isn't going to further sink my front end and make my vehicle ride s***ty. I've finally sorta got it driving the way I like and would be butt hurt if it started feeling different.

Weight rating
> Do I really need a 12k rated winch or can I get away with less to save weight. I need to start researching specs and weights of these things.

Adding weight to the vehicle
> Should I expect to need to adjust my torsion bars / get an alignment ? I am already sitting kind of stink bugged and I really don't know how it will like another , what , 100lbs?
> I already have straps and shackles in the vehicle, which are essentially useless, so that won't be any additional weight.

 

[Bisho]

The Harbor Freight Apex Badlands winch is legit. Mark's offroad recovery uses them, which I think says something. I've been nothing but pleased with mine.

 

[saucebox]

Now I'm curious with how many winches and how you tied it up to eventually get it out there
Is there any thread for "winch stories"? :-D

One truck behind him had a winch, the rest was all hi-lifts. The other trucks with winches were ahead of him in the group, with no way to turn around.

 

[Mike NXP]

I would not call the Apex a ghetto option. I've been rigging those for years and they are solid. I would call it a smart option.

Good to know! It looks like a few other people chimed in and also vouched for it. I had no idea

** Edit - Rookie question - I see it has a wireless remote? what if that sucker fails / battery dies? Any sort of manual over ride?

Wow says it only weighs 67 lbs. I thought these suckers were 100+

If you're ever in a situation where you can use a winch for recovery, it'll pay for itself a few times over.

Yeah good point, I can count a few dozen times I wouldn't have been sweating so much if I knew I could winch myself free. I just really really don't like adding more weight but I seem to keep on doing just that. It took me years to make my peace with adding a roof rack and all the current steel on the truck but it all serves a valuable purpose for what we do.

 

[saucebox]

Alright so this is all good information and sort of what I expected to hear but I'm still not sold this isn't going to further sink my front end and make my vehicle ride s***ty. I've finally sorta got it driving the way I like and would be butt hurt if it started feeling different.

Weight rating
> Do I really need a 12k rated winch or can I get away with less to save weight. I need to start researching specs and weights of these things.

Adding weight to the vehicle
> Should I expect to need to adjust my torsion bars / get an alignment ? I am already sitting kind of stink bugged and I really don't know how it will like another , what , 100lbs?
> I already have straps and shackles in the vehicle, which are essentially useless, so that won't be any additional weight.

12K absolutely—units that fit in that category are only going to weigh between 80 and 100lbs.

 

[Bisho]

You can see my setup in my signature block. Toyota torsion bars, good ride. Yes, you want a 12k winch. When you are stuck the effective weight goes up significantly. Not really any practical savings going to a lighter winch.

 

[GerLC100]

in terms of winch capacity I learned "double the vehicle weight" --> 12k is the well suited standard (16k I think gets much bigger again).

In terms of weight upfront: have a teenie sit on your bumper and see how much it lowers

 

[Mike NXP]

The Harbor Freight Apex Badlands winch is legit. Mark's offroad recovery uses them, which I think says something. I've been nothing but pleased with mine.

Good to know. I think if I was going to commit to something I wouldn't mind spend more coin if it actually meant better quality but who knows. I'll do some more research.


It looks like there are some lesser known options too from OVS, Iron Man, Smitty Built, etc. but I think I would stick with either the HF or Warn .

Price - Warn Evo12? Looks like it goes for around $750 for steel and $980 for synthetic, and that's just their entry level model...... VS the HF for $550 w/ synthetic
Weight - Warn is around 90lbs, I think. HF is 67
Rope length - Warn is 85 feet , HF is 80
Amp draw - Warn is 396 , HF not listed

 

[Mike NXP]

in terms of winch capacity I learned "double the vehicle weight" --> 12k is the well suited standard (16k I think gets much bigger again).

In terms of weight upfront: have a teenie sit on your bumper and see how much it lowers

Lol this is a good point. I can't imagine it will flinch much but I'm more concerned about vehicle handling when barreling down the highway at 70-80mph with this heavy pig of a truck. It's already a delicate dance as is, so every LB added counts.

 

[GerLC100]

Let's assume you got 3.000lbs on the front axle, the 67lbs would add ~2% of weight...

But I hear what you're saying.
One option would be to grab a winch from someone, put it on and test. Then order.
Other option is to get it from HF, mount and bring back if you don't like it.

 

[Mike NXP]

Let's assume you got 3.000lbs on the front axle, the 67lbs would add ~2% of weight...

But I hear what you're saying.
One option would be to grab a winch from someone, put it on and test. Then order.
Other option is to get it from HF, mount and bring back if you don't like it.

You my friend are a math wizz and a mind reader, I am at exactly 3000lbs up front .... thanks for putting it in perspective.

Option 2 sounds solid, which was sort of my original thinking of, how hard is it to install this bad boy. If I can weasel it up in there without having to fight the bumper on and off by myself then that makes the decision a bit better.


12mpg in most scenarios. 14mpg when cruising on highway. I'm still just skeptical of the handling being changed and me kicking myself for adding more weight. I'm technically not solving a problem that currently exists. I've never been stuck enough where I couldn't self recover, but then again the farmer said the cow 'never did that before' when it keeled over and died( I heard some old man say this one time lol ) so anything can happen and we put ourselves in remote sketchy areas at times.

 

[ga12r1]

Good to know. I think if I was going to commit to something I wouldn't mind spend more coin if it actually meant better quality but who knows. I'll do some more research.


It looks like there are some lesser known options too from OVS, Iron Man, Smitty Built, etc. but I think I would stick with either the HF or Warn .

Price - Warn Evo12? Looks like it goes for around $750 for steel and $980 for synthetic, and that's just their entry level model...... VS the HF for $550 w/ synthetic
Weight - Warn is around 90lbs, I think. HF is 67
Rope length - Warn is 85 feet , HF is 80
Amp draw - Warn is 396 , HF not listed

I would put the HF ahead of the Warn. I think the quality is just as good or better. But the big thing is there’s always a HF right down the road. Buy the 3 year extended warranty if worried and they will give you a NIB winch from the store that day if you have ANY issue.
Personally I’ve had an Ironman 12k for 5 years now without issue. I’ve used it 100 times. But if it does go out I’ll be switching to the HF for reasons stated above.
I’ve also got wheeling buddies using the Smitty without issue/ but there plan is the same as mine if they ever need a new winch.
And by the way my truck weighed in loaded at 8200lbs fully loaded for Cruise Moab a few years ago.

 

[Mike NXP]

I would put the HF ahead of the Warn. I think the quality is just as good or better. But the big thing is there’s always a HF right down the road. Buy the 3 year extended warranty if worried and they will give you a NIB winch from the store that day if you have ANY issue.
Personally I’ve had an Ironman 12k for 5 years now without issue. I’ve used it 100 times. But if it does go out I’ll be switching to the HF for reasons stated above.
I’ve also got wheeling buddies using the Smitty without issue/ but there plan is the same as mine if they ever need a new winch.
And by the way my truck weighed in loaded at 8200lbs fully loaded for Cruise Moab a few years ago.

=] That is one heavy rig, you're an animal....But the info is much appreciated. Yeah good point on being able to swap it out easily if needed compared to some other options. I didn't realize that thing scales in at only 67lbs. which doesn't seem all that bad. I'll probably buy it today with that current sale price.

I've got to crawl under my bumper today and see what I'm up against.

 

[Mike NXP]

I see the HF Apex says it has a removable control pack. Someone earlier mentioned relocating this. What's that all about? Is that the little hump that sticks up on top? Move it under the hood or something so it doesn't get soaked?

What about the metal oval thing that the rope threads through, I wonder if that will pair up with the ARB bumper ?

How does that synthetic rope hold up, does it feel like quality stuff?

Should I expect to have to adjust torsion bars and maybe align the truck as well?

** These warn prices are kind of insane. I'm all for quality but $120 for a snatch block?

 

[MountaineerLC]

@Mike NXP I think you’re over thinking the weight concern. If the weight drops your front a bit just give the torsion bars a turn or two. I personally noticed no difference in ride quality when I added my winch.

As for the Apex, I agree with the others. It’s definitely not a cheap junk winch and nicely built. It also comes with a battery disconnect switch.

 

[Rgill]

Always thought this was a great commercial. At the time I owned a a 72 Blazer.

 

[ga12r1]

I see the HF Apex says it has a removable control pack. Someone earlier mentioned relocating this. What's that all about? Is that the little hump that sticks up on top? Move it under the hood or something so it doesn't get soaked?

What about the metal oval thing that the rope threads through, I wonder if that will pair up with the ARB bumper ?

How does that synthetic rope hold up, does it feel like quality stuff?

Should I expect to have to adjust torsion bars and maybe align the truck as well?

** These warn prices are kind of insane. I'm all for quality but $120 for a snatch block?

The removable control pack is usually relocated under the hood if clearance is an issue mounting the winch. It’s weather sealed.

The fairlead will attach to your arb bumper.

The synthetic line is strong. It’s not as abrasion resistant as steel so most lines come with an abrasion guard that you can slide up and down the line where needed. Synthetic line is MUCH MUCH safer than steel. That’s the main reason to run it. But it’s also MUCH lighter.

If you adjust your TBs to give you the exact same ride height you have now after installing the winch no alignment is needed. It’s only needed if you change ride height

 

[ga12r1]

Good to know! It looks like a few other people chimed in and also vouched for it. I had no idea

** Edit - Rookie question - I see it has a wireless remote? what if that sucker fails / battery dies? Any sort of manual over ride?

Wow says it only weighs 67 lbs. I thought these suckers were 100+

Yeah good point, I can count a few dozen times I wouldn't have been sweating so much if I knew I could winch myself free. I just really really don't like adding more weight but I seem to keep on doing just that. It took me years to make my peace with adding a roof rack and all the current steel on the truck but it all serves a valuable purpose for what we do.

As for wireless I’m not a fan. I encourage everyone on my runs to use the supplied controller to winch cable.
And yeah. If you are using wireless and the batteries die all you have to do is plug in the controller to the winch and run non-wireless. So that’s not really a concern

 

[Mike NXP]

That old winch add is classic, thanks for sharing that....I miss old commercials and bad ass advertisements.

@Mike NXP I think you’re over thinking the weight concern. If the weight drops your front a bit just give the torsion bars a turn or two. I personally noticed no difference in ride quality when I added my winch.

As for the Apex, I agree with the others. It’s definitely not a cheap junk winch and nicely built. It also comes with a battery disconnect switch.

Good to know. I think I've made my peace with adding the weight after seeing some comments about just adjusting the bars to accommodate it.

The removable control pack is usually relocated under the hood if clearance is an issue mounting the winch. It’s weather sealed.

The fairlead will attach to your arb bumper.

The synthetic line is strong. It’s not as abrasion resistant as steel so most lines come with an abrasion guard that you can slide up and down the line where needed. Synthetic line is MUCH MUCH safer than steel. That’s the main reason to run it. But it’s also MUCH lighter.

If you adjust your TBs to give you the exact same ride height you have now after installing the winch no alignment is needed. It’s only needed if you change ride height

So I don't think clearance will be an issue for the top half since the bumper opens up there...Sounds like an abrasion guard and a snatch block will be two other pieces of equipment that should be added to the kit as well.

Thanks for the tip on the wired option for the controller, I just noticed that in the specs of the HF product listing. Oopha they want another $180 for 2 year warranty.

I need to do some homework on how to adjust torsion bars. I wonder if it can be done with the wheels on the ground.... A little background , I have a uneven gravel driveway and I am scared of going under my vehicle if it's on jack stands so for jobs that require it, I just have a real mechanic do the repair lol...I've had them adjusted slightly in the past so I don't know if I am like, maxed out or anything like that.

 

[ga12r1]

That old winch add is classic, thanks for sharing that....I miss old commercials and bad ass advertisements.

Good to know. I think I've made my peace with adding the weight after seeing some comments about just adjusting the bars to accommodate it.


So I don't think clearance will be an issue for the top half since the bumper opens up there...Sounds like an abrasion guard and a snatch block will be two other pieces of equipment that should be added to the kit as well.

Thanks for the tip on the wired option for the controller, I just noticed that in the specs of the HF product listing.

I need to do some homework on how to adjust torsion bars. I wonder if it can be done with the wheels on the ground.... A little background , I have a uneven gravel driveway and I am scared of going under my vehicle if it's on jack stands so for jobs that require it, I just have a real mechanic do the repair lol...I've had them adjusted slightly in the past so I don't know if I am like, maxed out or anything like that.

You need to have the wheels off the ground to properly adjust without fear of stripping the bolts. I will say I’ve done it plenty of times with wheels on the ground but it’s generally not recommended.
Best thing to do is jack up the truck to where the tires are 1/4” off the ground and then adjust. If the truck falls off the jack it will just fall back on its tires.