Dumb Winch Question

[Silly_Syko]

I run a thimble on my winch and spool it in tight to the bumper, have you ever tried to turn the handle under load? On every winch I’ve ever used it’s nearly impossible to turn the handle under any load.

I think I am going to test this before I head to work in the morning, I never tried to put it in free spool after cinching it down now I think of it. Lol.

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[Lightguy]

I run a thimble on my winch and spool it in tight to the bumper, have you ever tried to turn the handle under load? On every winch I’ve ever used it’s nearly impossible to turn the handle under any load.

Any issue with leaving it under load? It’s a great idea!

 

[zouch]

i snug mine in (not to the point of stall) and i'm still able to flip the Spool Release lever.
i might not be snugging mine as hard, or it might be a difference between winches; i don't know.

I run a thimble on my winch and spool it in tight to the bumper, have you ever tried to turn the handle under load? On every winch I’ve ever used it’s nearly impossible to turn the handle under any load.

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

If they really want your synthetic rope they will get it with a knife.. even if you spool it in tight to prevent the low-life from turning the handle, they simply need to cut the rope right behind the hook or flatlink..

I tend to think that scumbags would prefer to steal the entire winch assembly and not just the cable... I mean... they could easily sell the entire winch assembly... but just the rope?.. to who?.. I doubt there is a market for that...

My recommendation?.. find a way to make it really difficult to steal the winch by blocking access to the bolts that secure the winch to the bumper ( don't weld the bolts to the bumper as welding weakens the bolt's head) .. who knows... perhaps a plate that hides a couple of the bolts and is welded to the bumper or somehow secured to the bumper with a padlock?

 

[ConqSoft]

To secure the entire winch, a couple of these will slow them down at least. Maybe.

https://factor55.com/product/winch-lock/

 

[Silly_Syko]

If they really want your synthetic rope they will get it with a knife.. even if you spool it in tight to prevent the low-life from turning the handle, they simply need to cut the rope right behind the hook or flatlink..

I tend to think that scumbags would prefer to steal the entire winch assembly and not just the cable... I mean... they could easily sell the entire winch assembly... but just the rope?.. to who?.. I doubt there is a market for that...

My recommendation?.. find a way to make it really difficult to steal the winch by blocking access to the bolts that secure the winch to the bumper ( don't weld the bolts to the bumper as welding weakens the bolt's head) .. who knows... perhaps a plate that hides a couple of the bolts and is welded to the bumper or somehow secured to the bumper with a padlock?

To be honest I never said I was worried about someone stealing the line although that would be shitty.

I was originally just posing if there was a way to stop someone from free spooling the line out because it’s much easier to cut a line with it out and you can remove the snap ring on the flat link. If it’s tight to the bumper it be a huge pain to try to cut the line with a blade and impossible to remove the hooks shaft around the line.

Also the way the warn vr sits in the OEM steel bumper you would have to remove the bumper to steal the winch, that is highly unlikely sitting in a parking lot, you know?

 

[Silly_Syko]

I run a thimble on my winch and spool it in tight to the bumper, have you ever tried to turn the handle under load? On every winch I’ve ever used it’s nearly impossible to turn the handle under any load.

Tested this, no luck. Had it tighten to the bumper to the point I saw the bumper flex. Super easy to put it free spool even that tight. Maybe that’s a feature of warn with their lever design so it doesn’t accidentally get locked up I’m engaged if you have your line stuck or remote dies. ?

 

[Philly_]

I feel like everyone talking this out and discussing risk and the likelihood of theft is going to make me change my mind about waiting to get a winch.

This forum is an expensive place...

 

[Silly_Syko]

I feel like everyone talking this out and discussing risk and the likelihood of theft is going to make me change my mind about waiting to get a winch.

This forum is an expensive place...

I wouldn’t let some peoples horror stories scare you. If you plan to off road you will be would be more upset not having one then worrying what could happen when you do have it.

 

[Philly_]

I wouldn’t let some peoples horror stories scare you. If you plan to off road you will be would be more upset not having one then worrying what could happen when you do have it.

Well the problem is some of the horror stories are my own! ?

 

[Powelligator]

The average scumbag that would spool out a winch line and take it and the Factor 55 really doesn't know what it costs to replace, and has to figure out how to sell it. They'd rather slice your top with a knife or break your window and dig through the console for spare change and iPhone charging cables.

 

[wibornz]

I would think that the demand for a winch on the black market would be pretty low. How many vehicles actually get a winch installed on one. They would still need the winch plate and buy the wiring and controller. The people that actually buy winches seldom if ever buy a used winch. For instance just did a quick search on Facebook Market Place and there was only four winches listed for sale.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'm not worried about someone stealing the winch (or wench) because it's just too much of a pain in the ass. I'm dreading pulling it for the service mod.

But I was just thinking the other day, the gear lever and that pretty red flat link i just installed are an attractive nuisance. I'm kicking myself for not getting a black link.

My winch will flip out of gear easily. I pulled in the driveway of a friend and while talking to them (knuckleheads I've known for 50 years) at the front of the jeep, one of them just flipped the gear lever and slacked the line. That made me think I needed to do something to secure the lever (or get better friends) I'm working on a solution.

 

[SH556JL]

I have a dash cam and cops who love to bump stuff up to felony. I haven‘t had anything stollen off or from my Jeep… I also don’t think this stuff has much value on the used market.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

i just keep the license plate flipped down in front of it to keep it out of sight a little bit, and hope for the best.

This and running a rusty $30 hook worked for me so far.

Honestly, I've always had Jeeps and lived in some shit areas. Never had a problem. My JLUR, the winch is recessed into the bumper so it's harder to get to, and I cover it with a winch bag to hide it.

Anyone who knows what they're doing and/ or wants it will get it. Doesn't mean you have to make it easy for them. But think of it this way:
1). They have to know what a winch is
2). They have to know how to use it
3). They have to be OK with the risk of getting caught (Stupid or confident)
4). If they're stealing, they need to know the value
5). Enthusiast communities are regional, and very tight knit. This is what most people don't count on. If you're truly dialed into off roading and the word goes out your winch got jacked, there will be people keeping tabs for any suspicious listings. I've seen several entire vehicles get reported and more or less returned, as well as some parts- Thanks to the communities the owners were hooked into (Jeeps, JDM, Muscle cars, etc).

When you factor these 5 factors in it narrows the potential down greatly. You're basically down to people who are willing to mess with your Jeep, or are more likely to take the entire thing and chop shop it.
I've heard stories of hardcore environmentalists (ELF) Vandalizing 4x4's and bikes, but no specific cases w/ names and stuff so that seems like it may be an chance encounter or an urban legend.
As for the latter, hillbilly meth heads will steal/ vandalize anything if it's left on the trail too long, and supposedly some stories of cartels(?) running chop shop operations in the South Western states, but again, I've only ever heard that confirmed a few times.

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