Harbor Freight Badland Apex 12,000# Winch Lower Price

[swimman]

For those looking for a winch cover for the Apex Badland, I bought this one from Amazon. It's a heavy duty fabric and fits the winch very snugly (i.e perfectly!). It has an elastic band that keeps it secure to the winch. With my Smitty XRC bumper and how the positive wire exits the winch, there is little room for me to be able to install the cover but it's manageable. I do not foresee having to remove and install the cover frequently so it really is a non-issue. As well, the fabric is heavy so it will not be flapping in the wind. Very satisfied with the cover quality and price. We'll see how it holds up in the coming months.

Sponsored

 

[MileHigh]

It looks like there is a set screw on the bottom, can you just re-index the lever? it wouldn't match up with the sticker but at least you wouldn't have to trim it.

Interesting idea! I wonder if that is possible. I never looked to see if I could remove the lever. Funny how that never really crossed my mind when I did the install. However, I did see a display unit at a HFT that had the lever removed. I was going to see how to do that, I hadn't looked at it yet for that idea. Moving the lever to swing a different direction is a good idea. It does need to swing a full 180 degrees but that may be possible.

 

[swimman]

Interesting idea! I wonder if that is possible. I never looked to see if I could remove the lever. Funny how that never really crossed my mind when I did the install. However, I did see a display unit at a HFT that had the lever removed. I was going to see how to do that, I hadn't looked at it yet for that idea. Moving the lever to swing a different direction is a good idea. It does need to swing a full 180 degrees but that may be possible.

I've removed the lever and then reinstalled. Unfortunately, you cannot re-index the lever as the screw sits in a channel routed out of the lever. When the lever is turned and stops, it's because the screw is hitting the end of the channel. In other words, the screw's purpose is to limit the travel of the lever (as well as retain the lever on the winch). If you remove the screw, you can turn the lever 360 degrees.

As well, the bottom of the lever is a semi-circle which fits into the winch which also has the other half of this semi-circle. Turning the lever, turns this part of the winch making it free spool or engage.

 

[Kevin Mojito]

I tried that. It did not work. I'm going out again today to work on wiring today. Will look it over again to make sure before I cut the handle.

 

[MileHigh]

For those looking for a winch cover for the Apex Badland, I bought this one from Amazon. It's a heavy duty fabric and fits the winch very snugly (i.e perfectly!). It has an elastic band that keeps it secure to the winch. With my Smitty XRC bumper and how the positive wire exits the winch, there is little room for me to be able to install the cover but it's manageable. I do not foresee having to remove and install the cover frequently so it really is a non-issue. As well, the fabric is heavy so it will not be flapping in the wind. Very satisfied with the cover quality and price. We'll see how it holds up in the coming months.

Just did the 'Buy it Now' on Amazon. Thanks for the info.

 

[Cahlheim]

So, the dimensions of the Apex are a bit bigger than the Smitty, which interferes with the top clamshell of the Venator bumper and leaves a bit larger of a gap above the fairlead. I also had to trim the control tray so the power wire didn’t protrude out the back quite as far and interfere with the grill. Also, like a number of others, the clutch lever only swings about 75% of the way before making contact with the bumper.
Those few issues aside, I am very happy with the Apex. I went ahead and added the F55 Flatlink E instead of using the supplied hook as well.

 

[jasonlauren]

Alright, halfway through the install. Ordered the Maximus-3 dually auxiliary lights mount. Going to wait until it arrives before I button everything up.

but wanted to show you all my lever. I was able to clear the steel bumper with the torx bolt installed without any rubbing with the poison spyder zeon winch spacer. It fit perfectly on the warn winch plate and lined up with the bolt holes for the Badland Apex.

no need to cut or shave the free spool lever! Highly recommended!

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...p-w_sw44KXYhmr3moGuieRkxDd-F9N2AaAhyTEALw_wcB

 

[Kevin Mojito]

Nice find Jason.

A side note for those installing....... Run Wire First !!! It has been a day of no fun feeding 4 - 2 awg wires with loom protector. Might not be too bad with 2 wires for non-remote.

 

[JoyRider]

I've been researching winches as my naked bumper needs some clothes. The new Harbor Freight Badland Apex winch has been on my list as well as similar offerings from Quadratech and Smitty. I noticed the price has now been lowered for the HF winch to $630. With the 20% coupon the price is just over $500. This price is now very compelling and brings it to the top of my list for the features it incorporates.

Reviews I have read and viewed seem to be very positive. Can anyone provide additional input regarding your usage experience?

Man... I end up always missing the best HF deals... its back to 749,- again

 

[swimman]

Man... I end up always missing the best HF deals... its back to 749,- again

Be patient and keep an eye on the site. The winch is frequently on sale but no as often at $500. I signed up for their email coupons and that's how I found out about it dropping to $500.

 

[Kevin Mojito]

Finished up remote wiring today.

 

[OregonJeepGuy]

In today’s HF handout with the local rag. This is the old style ZXR with steel cable.On sale for $290; might be as low as I’ve seen it. May be worth masking up and heading down to the local outlet.
This is also in the handout. Put these two together with a correct fair lead and you have a 12K winch for around $400.

 

[Fire Burns]

Just got an email from Harbor Freight that said they would honor all coupons and sales from March and April. Anyone who missed the sales may be able to use this to pick up the winch for the old sales price.

 

[ODDs]

Just got an email from Harbor Freight that said they would honor all coupons and sales from March and April. Anyone who missed the sales may be able to use this to pick up the winch for the old sales price.

In today’s HF handout with the local rag. This is the old style ZXR with steel cable.On sale for $290; might be as low as I’ve seen it. May be worth masking up and heading down to the local outlet.
This is also in the handout. Put these two together with a correct fair lead and you have a 12K winch for around $400.

I'd be interested in going either route. Is the Apex worth $100 more than the ZXR?

 

[Kevin Mojito]

I think so.
The Syn rope and wireless get you almost to the cost of the updated Apex. You also get the remote mounting and cables. I only had to buy the 2 extra long cables for the way I wanted to remote the solenoid.
The 2 cables - Harbor Freight 6 Ft. Inverter Cable Set - SKU #63747, #2 AWG = $30.00 with 20% off coupon.

Sponsored