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What winch do you have?

NINTH

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Next up on the mods list is a winch

Narrowed it down to the HF Badlands 12k synthetic winch as I don't hardcore wheel but saw some posts saying it's big and heavy especially for the 2 doors

Anyone thoughts on the badlands winch? Better alternatives at similar price point?
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Ive got the badland winch with synthetic rope and have used it a few times now. Has worked great for me so far. I'd definitely recommend it and for the price point you really cant beat it.
 

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Next up on the mods list is a winch

Narrowed it down to the HF Badlands 12k synthetic winch as I don't hardcore wheel but saw some posts saying it's big and heavy especially for the 2 doors

Anyone thoughts on the badlands winch? Better alternatives at similar price point?
I have the Chinese one, and the name that tells you what kind of country they are.

FieryRed 13000 lb

 

yokramer

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I got the badland just because of pricing and so far its worked just fine the few times I have needed it.
 

AskBin

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apex 12k syn rope.

definitly big, definitly heavy works like a champ tho. dident even hiccup ripping my JLU and my Pops silverado out of some holes.

may be a bit much for a 2 door but i like to say theres no kill like overkill, and being able to hook a tow strap and winch 2 vehicles at the same time is extremely useful in my situation
 
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I have an open road 12K. The advantage I found is I have it mounted to the factory plastic bumper using a rockhard 4X4 mounting plate. Most winches control boxes will block the front trail cam. The open road control box can be removed and re-mounted offset with existing hardware to make the trail cam usable. Has worked great for me. My first one didn't survive the accident in my avatar:(
 

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I have an open road 12K. The advantage I found is I have it mounted to the factory plastic bumper using a rockhard 4X4 mounting plate. Most winches control boxes will block the front trail cam. The open road control box can be removed and re-mounted offset with existing hardware to make the trail cam usable. Has worked great for me. My first one didn't survive the accident in my avatar:(
As far as Im aware all the control boxes can be moved, its just a few battery cables that you need to re make longer.
 

SadRobot

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I have the 12k Apex Badlands. I've had a few issues with it and it always kind of feels like it's struggling to pull me in. When I really needed it the rope had gotten stuck under itself on the spool somehow and I couldn't use it. I had to pull the entire thing apart to fix it.

Could also be user error though. 🤷‍♀️
 

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Apples491

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I run Engo. I had a great customer experience with them several years ago and for my light usage, they've never let me down. Based on a quick search, similar price point to the Badlands winches.

The YouTube influencers seem to love the Badlands winches, but I generally keep to the rule of thumb that if I think my life may ever depend on a tool, it will not be from harbor freight.
 

YBABRAT

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I have an EVO VR10 with synthetic rope. Yes it is expensive, but there is good things about it if willing to tear it down and do some preventive maintenance, before installing. If left alone it may crap out on you. Though you cant beat the remote controller for ease of use. I chose to mount the winch controller remotely, which is not common to see on a JL.
 

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I have an EVO VR10 with synthetic rope. Yes it is expensive, but there is good things about it if willing to tear it down and do some preventive maintenance, before installing. If left alone it may crap out on you. Though you cant beat the remote controller for ease of use. I chose to mount the winch controller remotely, which is not common to see on a JL.
What is it that you feel needs to be done before deploying the winch.
 

YBABRAT

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What is it that you feel needs to be done before deploying the winch.
Well the lack of proper lube and moisture sealing.

The gear and motor assemblies are mated to the main body without a good seal. If using some sealer, I recommend making a fine rope of butyl tape to fit in the lip. It won't harden over a few years for easier removal of components for maintenance later.

The incased bearings on each assembly are dry. you can carefully pry the seal cover to remove and get to the bearings. For better life I used high pressure high viscocity white PTFE grease. I think its like $30 an ounce. Any grease that it is replacing must be throughly removed. I did the gear assemblies as they too were light in lube. If not willing to use PTFE grease. Valvoline or RedLine synthetic wheel bearing greese. As for power cables... in using the given lengths, they are metric sized, and smaller core than 4AWG. I prefer to use 2AWG if running same length of cable to battery.
 
 







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