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Review Harbor Freight Badlands Synthetic Winch Line

Bob R1

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Harbor Freight Badlands 3/8 Inch x 80 Feet Synthetic Winch Rope.
SKU 56412
Specifications:
Working Load Limit: 12,000 lb
Breaking Strength: 16,800 lb
Size: 80 ft X 3/8"

Installation on a 2024 Badlands ZXR 12,000 Winch.
The Winch Rope comes with a Loop on the Winch Connection End to connect the Rope to the passenger side of the Drum using the provided Screw and Button.
(NOTE: Apparent earlier versions of the Badlands winch must not have been drilled and tapped for Synthetic Rope installation. On older Winch's the Instructions tell how to rework the Rope End for installation into the Steel Winch Cable Hole in the drum.)
Two Screws and Buttons are provided in the package with the Winch Rope. I am pretty sure the correct one for the ZXR12,000 Late Model Winch uses a 5mm Screw. The second screw is a 7mmand also comes with it's own Button.

The Tail End of the Winch Line has 12" of the line tucked inside the Rope forming the connection loop. The Tail End of the Rope has 12 Feet and 6 Inches of RED Protective Sleeve installed to notify you that you are nearing the end of the use-able length of the Winch Rope. At the loop 3.25" of Shrink Sleeve material has been installed locking the Red Sleeve in place. The Red Sleeve is a very nice addition to the Winch Rope.

The Hook end of the Winch Rope has a stout looking Winch Rope Tube installed. It looked like 12" of the Rope Tail has been tucked inside the Rope securing it. This is on the minimum end, but apparently holds just fine. The Hook End of the Winch Rope has a 36" Protective Sleeve installed, that is moveable on the Rope.

Installation was simple. Spool off all the steel cable. Using a 4mm Allen Wrench remove tension on the steel Winch Line, and remove it. I screwed the allen lock screw back down below the surface. I might need it later.

Next install the Synthetic Winch Rope around the Drum threading it in around the bottom of the drum, and up over the top. Install the Button in the Rope Eye, and install the Supplied screw with a drop of Blue Loc-Tite.
Spool the Winch Rope in, Run it back and forth, laying it flat and neat.
Install the Hook on the end of the Rope.

A couple more steps. Badlands says to replace the Roller Fairlead with an Aluminum Hawse Fairlead. My research indicates that the Roller Fairlead should work ok, if you are careful not to get the Rope caught in a corner. I decided to go with a new Badlands Hawse Fairlead SKU56414. It looks very well made, and will eliminate any problem pinching the Winch Rope.

I also decided to go with a new APEX 12,000 Forged Alloy Steel Winch Hook SKU56413. It is bigger and much better made than the Hook that came on the steel winch line.

Before using the Synthetic Winch Line you will need to un-spool the Rope, and re-wind it under tension. A good way would be to find a location where you can attach the hook to something solid such as a tree, and pull your vehicle uphill or use the emergency brake to put a load on the rope while spooling it in.

The Harbor Freight Satisfaction Rating on the 3/8" Winch Rope is 4.6 out of 5.0 which is not bad.
The Price is reasonable at around $130. You can find cheaper Winch Rope on Amazon, and you can find much more expensive Winch Rope through off road supply shops. This looks to be the Rope that comes on a Badlands Apex 12,000 lb Winch. I have not read any reviews of a problem with this Rope on an Apex Winch. For the average person NOT doing Scary Recoveries, I believe this Winch Line will get the job done.

When the rain and high winds quit, I will be giving the Harbor Freight Badlands 3/8 Inch Synthetic Winch Rope a workout pulling over trees, and using a Snatch Block for indirect pulls. I am 100% sure I will be totally happy with this product for my use.

Now that I have a Synthetic Winch Rope installed, I can make an order with Rough Country for a couple 6.5" Aluminum Recovery Rings. I believe that I can make use of them now.

Bob R
 
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