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Harbor Freight Apex Badlands 12k winch question

peteinny

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Is it worth considering the Apex Badlands 12k winch? It costs about 1/3 of what a warn might cost. Not something I would use very often but would like to have just in case. Any feedback on quality for a $500 winch? Thanks
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Jitzy

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If you search I believe there’s a really good thread about this winch. I’ll see if I could find it.
 

Gmarantos

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Is it worth considering the Apex Badlands 12k winch? It costs about 1/3 of what a warn might cost. Not something I would use very often but would like to have just in case. Any feedback on quality for a $500 winch? Thanks
I have had this wench for a little over two weeks and not only does it look good sitting on the front end of your jeep, but after testing it out and seeing what it can do I can tell you that I think that Harbor freight has come up with a really good product.

IMG_5176.jpg
 

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Shots

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Looks good. I see Tractor Supply has a wince for $415 too. Might have to look into that.
 
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BasherXt

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I have had this wench for a little over two weeks and not only does it look good sitting on the front end of your jeep, but after testing it out and seeing what it can do I can tell you that I think that Harbor freight has come up with a really good product.

Jeep Wrangler JL Harbor Freight Apex Badlands 12k winch question IMG_5176
@Gmarantos Did you have any issues with the engage lever hitting or rubbing or have to trim it? In the other post I was reading several where having issues and having to trim lever or leave out a bolt. Yours looks to fit nicely? What mount and spacers did you use? Oh and what winch/ grill guard is that?
 

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Mopar OEM steel bumper with Rusty's Offroad Winch plate and the Badlands 12k Synthetic winch fits completely (very snug and fills up any extra space in the winch area.

20200830_170338[1].jpg
 

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Mopar OEM steel bumper with Rusty's Offroad Winch plate and the Badlands 12k Synthetic winch fits completely (very snug and fills up any extra space in the winch area.

Jeep Wrangler JL Harbor Freight Apex Badlands 12k winch question 20200830_170338[1]
So, no problems with the lever hitting the bolt? It also seems that the hoop is nowhere near getting in the way. What grill gaurd is that?
 

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@Gmarantos Did you have any issues with the engage lever hitting or rubbing or have to trim it? In the other post I was reading several where having issues and having to trim lever or leave out a bolt. Yours looks to fit nicely? What mount and spacers did you use? Oh and what winch/ grill guard is that?
Ditto on that question.
 

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Fatboy97

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Is it worth considering the Apex Badlands 12k winch? It costs about 1/3 of what a warn might cost. Not something I would use very often but would like to have just in case. Any feedback on quality for a $500 winch? Thanks
Great winch, works flawlessly. It is a little big so you might have issues depending on the front bumper you are using. I made my own front bumper not knowing how the winch would fit with all the bumpers on the market. The quality is amazing.

1F154DE9-4761-458F-BE45-1DFE774070B7.jpeg


E6D530A1-B276-449F-B31C-DD2B36F12DD6.jpeg


FC61B68B-175E-4A0F-AA44-6FD3290194C4.jpeg
 

WhiteGold

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So, no problems with the lever hitting the bolt? It also seems that the hoop is nowhere near getting in the way. What grill gaurd is that?
Maximus3 stinger. Only issue I've seen is so tight for wires on backside of winch/ grill. Otherwise no issues and works great!
 

Grayson

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Mopar OEM steel bumper with Rusty's Offroad Winch plate and the Badlands 12k Synthetic winch fits completely (very snug and fills up any extra space in the winch area.

Jeep Wrangler JL Harbor Freight Apex Badlands 12k winch question FC61B68B-175E-4A0F-AA44-6FD3290194C4
So just to clarify, you didn’t need to do anything extra other than purchase the rusty’s winch plate? All included hardware was sufficient?
 

WhiteGold

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So just to clarify, you didn’t need to do anything extra other than purchase the rusty’s winch plate? All included hardware was sufficient?
Rusty's winchplate came with hardware. Winch came with hardware. Only thing I had to add was a few zip ties ( also from Harbor Freight) on the wiring.
 

Grayson

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Rusty's winchplate came with hardware. Winch came with hardware. Only thing I had to add was a few zip ties ( also from Harbor Freight) on the wiring.
Thank you! I was undecided if I want to do warm plate with spacers but sounds like rustys plate is plug and play.
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