Can anyone tell me what the best weight synthetic line is to run on my '98 4runner winch?
synthetic winch line (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LoneRanger
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
1911
chupacabra
The larger the line diameter, the stronger it is, but the less will fit on the drum.
What is the winch rated at? How much wire rope does it hold now?
How long are your typical pulls, for the places you wheel or typically get stuck?
- Thread starter
- #3
Its a Warn M8000. Not sure the length. Probably 100 feet or so. I usually wheel in thickly wooded areas in Mississippi. The muddles can be tricky. Pulls are usually fairly short.
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2014
- Threads
- 94
- Messages
- 3,045
- Location
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Website
- www.facebook.com
Just so you know the Warn M8000-S (the synthetic line version of yours) comes standard with 100' of 3/8" synthetic line. The steel cable version that you have comes with 100' of 5/16" according to Warn's website.
1911
chupacabra
If your pulls are fairly short, I would go with 3/8" line for sure. If you find that you sometimes don't have enough line, you can always buy an extension later.
I have an M8000 in one of my trucks (an FJC, that with accessories must weigh at least what your 4skinner does). I run 3/8" synthetic line on that; I think it has 75 or 80' but I don't remember, it's been too long since I put it on. My drum is not overflowing or anything like it. If the Warn web site says it will hold 100' of 3/8" synthetic (as @TheForger pointed out), then I'm sure they must be right. I have made some pretty big pulls with the little M8000 and it has never let me down. Just two days ago, I used it to pull a big-ass Ram 1-1/2 ton diesel truck that was completely bogged in mud, a couple of hundred feet onto a gravel road. Took 3 or 4 pulls to do it; the M8000 barely got warm.
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks that's helpful. Ingot it used with steel cable. Planning to make the switch to syth.
- Thread starter
- #7
Just stuck the switch In an available spot. Suggestions and making it solid without damaging the dash?
DirtScaresMe
Trouble Maker
Get whatever you want and the extension, as someone else noted. I've used a 30' strap as an extension but one day I'm dropping the real money on a big piece of amsteel or dyneema. So many times someone is in the middle of some mess and I don't want to get that close.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
For a Warn M8000 go 3/8" x 85'. We splice our own winch lines in house and offer MUD discounts. 
- Thread starter
- #10
Where is that avaialable?For a Warn M8000 go 3/8" x 85'. We splice our own winch lines in house and offer MUD discounts.
DirtScaresMe
Trouble Maker
For a Warn M8000 go 3/8" x 85'. We splice our own winch lines in house and offer MUD discounts.
This the kind of thing you're talking about for m8000 folks?
Southeast Overland Synthetic Winch Line Extensions : 3/8" Southeast Overland Amsteel Blue Winch Line Extensions | Southeast Overland
- Thread starter
- #12
How do you attach that to the spool?
DirtScaresMe
Trouble Maker
I think we're talking extensions, at least I am. Hook-to-shackel-to-eyelet.
Here's something to put on your radar. Just because the spool will take 100ft of 3/8'' doesn't mean you need to put that on there. For my recent purchase I shorted my MM hydraulic by 20ft of line. I then purchased a 50ft extension if I ever need it. The thought behind it is with 20 less feet of line i'm already down one additional wrap towards the drum. Since I don't have actual numbers in front of me lets just say my initial pull would be 8500lbs instead of 6750lbs. That's if it was a short pull only off of the first wrap. Anything more and the advantage would be even greater.
I have a warn series 12. I put 75' of 3/8" amsteel blue from Steve at southeast overland. My thoughts are the same as half k' s, less line equals less line to pull out to get max power on pulls. I have 75' worth of extension.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
The M8000 has a small screw on the inner side of the winch spool. We provide a spade connector that you can screw to that point. Or, if you do like me and lose the little screw/bolt then use quality duct tape to tape the end of the line to the spool.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
That's an extension. We also sell winch lines, or can splice just about anything you want in house.
Southeast Overland
Get lost! Go explore!
www.SoutheastOverland.com, or PM us on MUD, call 864-280-4238, or email Sales@SoutheastOverland.com. Email is often the best way to get a hold of us.
The M8000s on my FToy came with 100', I shortened it to 80'. I always recommend 20% less than max line capacity on the drum, then carrying a 50' extension for those rare times you need more reach. Two extensions if you REALLY need to reach out
20% less on the drum advantages:
- More likely to pull on the smaller layers, at the max winch capacity
- Less likely to overrun one side of the drum during offset pulls...I don't know about you, but the LAST thing on my mind is checking halfway thru a pull to see if I need to respool (and when you...or your buddy...are half-way unstuck or halfway up the hill, it's never convenient) I HAVE watched winches self-destruct when the line spools only on one side.
- extensions are quick/easy to rewrap, and quick to deploy. Should be kept within arms reach of the driver (you), along with at least two soft-shackles (I can reach 3 at any time with any of my rigs, and never leave the seat...as well as a tree saver or loop)
20% less on the drum advantages:
- More likely to pull on the smaller layers, at the max winch capacity
- Less likely to overrun one side of the drum during offset pulls...I don't know about you, but the LAST thing on my mind is checking halfway thru a pull to see if I need to respool (and when you...or your buddy...are half-way unstuck or halfway up the hill, it's never convenient) I HAVE watched winches self-destruct when the line spools only on one side.
- extensions are quick/easy to rewrap, and quick to deploy. Should be kept within arms reach of the driver (you), along with at least two soft-shackles (I can reach 3 at any time with any of my rigs, and never leave the seat...as well as a tree saver or loop)
cartercd
SILVER Star
Not all synthetic winch line is created equally, so I would:
- Select what safety factor you want. For your 8,000 pound winch if you want a safety factor of 2 you want a 16,000 pound breaking strength line
- Find the specs for the brand of line you're buying and find the minimum breaking strength that's the best match. For AmSteel Blue this would indeed be 3/8" (17,600 lb).
If you want some more assurance, you could go with the 6 5/8"AmSteel Blue with breaking strength of 3,969,000 pounds. At 10 pounds per foot it might get a little heavy.
I always recommend buying synthetic line from a reputable dealer where you know what fibers are being used. There is some dubious stuff being sold on e-bay that is not worth the risk.
- Select what safety factor you want. For your 8,000 pound winch if you want a safety factor of 2 you want a 16,000 pound breaking strength line
- Find the specs for the brand of line you're buying and find the minimum breaking strength that's the best match. For AmSteel Blue this would indeed be 3/8" (17,600 lb).
If you want some more assurance, you could go with the 6 5/8"AmSteel Blue with breaking strength of 3,969,000 pounds. At 10 pounds per foot it might get a little heavy.
I always recommend buying synthetic line from a reputable dealer where you know what fibers are being used. There is some dubious stuff being sold on e-bay that is not worth the risk.
