Smittybilt Gen 2 Owners: Quick Question

[LFD2037]

Does your lever go fully counterclockwise to engage or just most of the way? I don't think mine is going far enough. Here's a pic of it all the way clockwise (freespool) and a pic of as far as it will go counterclockwise (engage).

 

[maxamillion2345]

Try spinning the drum a little. I think mine goes a touch further but not absolutely sure. Mine did bind a little and I just spun the drum and it popped in.

 

[greentruck]

Can you turn the cable spool either direction, allowing the lever to turn to fully engaged? It looks like it's between teeth and needs to rotate a degree or two to allow full engagement. That's normal if that's the case.

 

[retrofive]

Guess I'm wondering if this just cosmetic thing, like it fully functions but you don't like the orientation? or doesn't work?

 

[LFD2037]

I've spun the drum both ways 15+ times each direction. This is absolutely as far as I can rotate the lever counterclockwise to engage. I sent them an email but I'm installing it tomorrow & I'm sure they won't reply until Monday.

 

[LFD2037]

Guess I'm wondering if this just cosmetic thing, like it fully functions but you don't like the orientation? or doesn't work?

It's not 'locking' into engage like it's 'locking' into freespool. I'm worried it'll disengage under a load.

 

[retrofive]

It's not 'locking' into engage like it's 'locking' into freespool. I'm worried it'll disengage under a load.

Ah, yeah. I be hesitant to install. Never had one of those apart to give any more advice.

 

[maxamillion2345]

search #lfd2037 on instagram

I posted a video for you.

 

[maxamillion2345]

https://instagram.com/p/zWKbEvswbs/?modal=true

I think this will work too.

and a picture

https://instagram.com/p/zWKje4swb7/?modal=true

 

[maxamillion2345]

You mess it up when putting it back together? Did it work before?

 

[LFD2037]

https://instagram.com/p/zWKbEvswbs/?modal=true

I think this will work too.

and a picture

https://instagram.com/p/zWKje4swb7/?modal=true

You rule! There's no way I messed it up. I removed the handle while it was rotated as far as I could towards engage. W/the handle out I can use a screwdriver & easily slide the gear the rest of the way. It's almost like the casting of the little nipple on the end of the handle is wrong. Hard to explain if you've never taken that little handle off before. It's just a slotted shaft with a nipple that, on an arc, pushes the gear into engage. If I can put a screwdriver down in it & easily move it into the correct position then it has to be the handle is casted wrong, yes? I didn't try it before clocking it but I took pictures, had the diagram AND the directions on clocking it so I'm 99.9% it's not me.

 

[LFD2037]

Fixed it, I think. I took the handle out again, worked the clutch back & forth with a screwdriver to make sure it would do what it's supposed to do (& it was) & then reinstalled handle. After applying what felt like was way too much pressure it finally went to full engaged. It appears either
1) the nipple on the end of the handle is too large
or
2) it's not a perfect 90* the way it should be.
It's not 'clicking', or locking, the way it does when fully engaged into freespool but it's definitely engaging more than it was. I think the handle is messed up from production, hopefully they'll send me a new one. I'll post back tomorrow after installing & working it if there's any more issues. Thanks for yall's input!!!

 

[LFD2037]

I called Smittybilt & told them the situation. They said it should fully lock into engage, a full 180* from freespool. W/out hesitation they said they're sending me a new handle. Said if it doesn't fix the problem to let them know & they'll take care of whatever the problem is. Their CS thus far is excellent. I'll post back when I get the new handle installed.

 

[greentruck]

That's good news. I'd be leery too if it doesn't positively lock. Most likely, just a burr on the casting that wasn't knocked off when it was being cleaned up. But a new handle should be a sure cure.

 

[LFD2037]

Got the new handle the other day. It was worse & wouldn't even rotate w/the retaining screw installed. Put the original back in, forced a bit & now it functions properly. I guess it wore a little from me working it back & forth so many times. My buddy bought the same winch @ the same time but his handle functioned flawlessly. Oh well, all is good now! I'll tinker with the new one, maybe, & figure out how to shave it down to work so I have a spare handle.

 

[stock]

Bump this. Looking at the https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K150VAI/ref=psdc_15737591_t2_B00JXS39VC and wondering how you like it.