I have the same winch from Harbor Fright, I bought a 100' synthetic rope off Amazon for less than $100 and used a bolt and washer where the set screw goes. Has worked great every time I needed it.

Awesome video! As a crane operator, I have to deal with winch drum minimum wraps, I’m so glad to see you spreading good information!! 🍻

We have always been thankful for the clearance table\section of Harbor Freight. I liken it to hunting. You never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you get those awesome finds.

I have the older Harbor Fright 12000 lb winch before Badlands took over. I also put on a rope only mine is 8000 capacity. I have it mounted on an old quadrunner. Still use the rollers on the front. Has worked good for all the years I have used it. Surprisingly I haven't pulled my quadrunner apart with everything I have put it through.

Awesome I used mine twice this weekevd and the cable sucks I’m doing this next weekevd so here seeing how much will fit. Thanjs

Watching swapping out to synth cable and see everyone comments tells me why KZfaq is great for sharing (and seeing) great ideas

You sir are a genius!! Thank you so much!!!! Great video and great step by step!!

Excellent video! I'm upgrading my 12K HF winch with the same synthetic line this week. I'll definitely give your channel a mention during my demo (I just subscribed). As for the roller fairlead - I'm going to keep using mine. Many off-road SMEs have run these same fairleads with synthetic lines for years. We just need to make sure the rollers are smooth and roll freely. Think about it: these rollers will produce much less friction and wear on the line than a typical solid synthetic fairlead. The only downside to not switching is the weight savings between the roller version and the solid version. Keep up the great content!

Great tip! I'll look for the returns!

Good news. I got the older badlands and a brand new one still in the box. I do want to swap to rope. I work with rope all the time doing tree work. Some people won't believe that rope has the same strength. Or even more. But it depends on the situation you can get in. I seen many people mess up their steel cables just by trying to rewind them back in when under a load. They really tear up that steel cable.

Great advice, clear and simple. Thanks

I believe 3 full wraps is plenty, up here in Canada the minimum number of Dill wraps on a lifting winch drum is 2.

I did that kind of upgrade year ago (long before harbor freight offered a rope). I used rollers until the rope got caught between top roller and side roller under load. Had to cut the rope. I highly recommend not using the rollers.

I have the same set-up exactly. I made a metal “J” hook from a chain link that I put into the hole and held with the set screw. I pushed it in far enough so the synthetic rope can’t come off. I wish I knew of the returned rope trick!🤪

Great video, when feeding the line thru the drum & set screw. Only feed the line thru till it's flush with the drum, by leaving it stick out the inch you showed, it gets in the way of the line spooling smoothly & when the upper layer is under tension, can cut into the line itself, you want it to spool smoothly over each lower wrap. Also be sure to run your bare hand over the drum switching between steel cable & synthetic.. the cable can create burrs & edges that'll cut the synthetic.. if it's not really smooth, smooth the drum surface all the way around & full width before installing synthetic. Same goes for snatchblocks.. don't just use your old one you used with a steel cable.. it needs to be totally smooth, even minor stuff is magnified under load in its abrasion/cutting.

I replaced the rope on my Adventure Kings Domin8r Xtreme (just part of regular maintenance) with a MaxTrax MXTSWR Static Winch Rope using a different solution. The Kings drum only has a screw in the side flange and the rope has a flattened ferrule with a hole drilled in it. The MXTSWR has an eye at each end. I chopped the eye off (like what you did) and used a Plasma Lock to fasten it to the face of the drum. When it kept slipping on install, I replaced it with a Bubba Rope “The Grabber” which worked perfectly. This means that I won’t be able to reuse the MXTSWR as a 30m static extension, but it was the only way I was able to mount it to the drum. When I upgrade my Winch to a Warn VR EVO, I will invest in another MXTSWR and keep it intact.

Lots of great info. Thanks!

Nice video. I swapped my wire cable out years ago with Amsteel synthetic rope. First, I took my winch apart because I suspected the primary gears didn't have enough grease. I have 5 winches and 4 of 5 needed grease from the factory. I wrapped the winch drum with silicone tape to protect the synthetic rope from heat generated from the gears and motor during use. Now synthetic ropes have a protective shield. You could use 550 cord and attach the rope end loop to the anchor set screw. As you suggested, never unwind the winch line beyond the last row. The 550 line would be as good as using the set screw with reduced rope strands. Have a nice day.

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

Great info on the swap!

Excellent video. Thank you.

I used and recommended a Bubba rope grabber for the synthetic line. And of course a hawse fairlead.

I work a lot with drums and heavy lifting and we usually recommend A minimum of 3 wraps around the drum

Thanks for the tips. I use a BL 2500 for my atv plow. Hate the cable,it rusts out, it pinches and frays itself and I constantly have to reel out and reset it. Rope doesn't have the same issues, I've just never reset a drum cable, so I haven't replaced it. I see ropes in discount all the time, so now I'm going to look into it more

Thanks for this brilliant idea 💡 👍. Now,, just gotta find a return. Lol. And the roller is a moot point to me. I'm guessing you saw that Brit dude doing all those winch techniques also👍. As you mentioned,, If the rollers aren't chewed up,, run it!

Thanks! I like how much it reduces the weight as mine is on a receiver hitch so I can move it from front to back.

i just used a bolt with washer , did not cut it at all . then just put a load on it ,it will shrink down on its own .no mod, just use a bolt where set screw was .

Run the line around the drum and through the eye. Pull the loop tight, creating a choker which protects you if you run the line all the way out. Replace set screw with bolt and washer.

according to most engineering standards, 3 wraps, 3 threads etc. is enough for rated mechanical loading.

AWESOME ....very informative

Nice job / thanks for sharing

Very well done!

Good job bo love it

fantastic!! thank you sir!

I have personally seen a set screw let loose of a steel cable with a 2000lb burial vault on it and the cable just spins right off the spool no matter how many revolutions were on it. That set screw does have a function in holding the cable in place under a load.

Pretty cool video!

You can change out your metal rollers for polyurethane on your fairlead

Can you suggest the best cheapest and easiest way to upgrade my winch rope?

I just used a bolt and washer in allen hole to use rope. i think it was from a Toyota fender.

Great video!

My winch does not have the hole in the drum. It has a screw on the side plate of the drum where the wire rope had an eyelet the went on it. The Badlands synthetic rope came with 2 keeper deals and screws. Not sure if they are for different styles of winches but yeah.

Drums also have side screw spot that can be used by crimping a wiring eyelet on the rope. That's how I did mine after cutting off that fat 8 inch section

Awesome information thank you

Great vid 👍🏻 I'll be keeping an eye out for the rope now for my '79 J20 longbed. You mentioned an update. Did I miss it in your video playlist?

What about heat from the drum? How do you help disapate the heat? I've always been under the impression that your line should be wound on the top and not the bottom

My Badlands synthetic rope came with an anchor and 2 different length screws to attach the rope to the drum. No need to hack up a brand new synth rope.

I went the other way around and ditched the synthetic rope. I use my winch a lot every year for removing logs and trees and running through snatch blocks, the synthetic harbor fright rope will Frey and break in no time, mine didn’t last a year before breaking, I swapped out for a steal cable and all is good!

Hi I was wondering what kind of bumper do you have and where did you get it thanks I enjoyed your video

Good night how I have that same badland 12000 winch on my vehicle but when using it stops and start back is that correct

I'd have to keep the cable. My luck I would cut it on the first pull. Cable would definitely last longer when pulling out things with edges. Then again I use them for pulling other things out not myself.

Slide it through after you cut it and tie half hitch jam knot on the other side and pull it tight then put the set screw in . Forget the heat the heat shrink. You will never pull the half hitch through the drum hole.

I have that same front bumper. What is that LED light bar that looks to fit the top light bracket? Thanks

the heat shrink is not bad. you should melt the end of the synthetic rope first.

Nice job amigo 👍🏽👍🏽 Good fyi on $$ of line 😃 !!!

You should always upgrade to a Hawse fairlead or poly rollers with a synthetic rope. Good job showing what needs done.

Just bought the new zxr 12000 an a new badland synthetic rope. The new winch has a threaded hole to the right side in the drum cause the rope comes with 2 different sizes an a the mount for the the rope to loop onto. No more cutting them down an working harder. Deffiantly remove the spring loaded guide arm. It will destroy your controle box. Good luck an welcome to 2023 Badland upgrade 👍 😀

Imo synthetic is way better. I mean sure you'll have to replace it every few years but the main thing is that it's safer. Switch to all synthetic rope and shackles and that's way less weight coming towards the driver's seat than all metal in the event of a failure. If you add on a weighted recovery blanket it's really relatively safe.

Thanks for this

Looks like you could also use that to extend the length of you winch by keeping an extra one in your truck.

Good explain on the upgrade. I will be doing the same very soon...However..I bought a brand new 3/8 85 ft synthetic rope rated for over 26000 # with forged hook and finished ends from Vevor online free ship..for $65..will the extra 5 ft spool up ? will see on my 12000 # H.F. winch thanks for the video.. Thanks Tim M

Wranglestar used it got rope damage from one use? Said wire better?

Why not run a bolt thru where the original cable went thru to mount the synthetic? 🤔 (cover bolt head with a piece of rubber to prevent damage to the synth)

To attach a synthetic line to a winch drum a winch line grabber strap like from Bubba Rope should be used. It keeps several wraps on the drum and prevents the winch line from being pulled out too far.

If you look closely you can see a hole with threads. You put the loop there and use a washer and screw to hold the rope

I got the exact same rope under a different name on Amazon. 85 ft for less than 70 dollars delivered.

Try the soft shackle on the end of the new rope it better than the metal hook

Great video. Did you find out if you needed to take off the bar that's connected to the springs on top made to keep the steel cable tight and now with rope, do you need that bar with the springs? Hope I asked it right

Why not use a bolt to attach the eye the drum where the keeper pin was?

Wow damn nice jeep !

My rope came with a piece to mount it to the side of the drum. I added the 12000 lb rooe to a badlands 9000lb winch

GREAT VID

Great job👍

Very instructive, and kudos for making this video as a gentleman, and without the offensive, raw language used by many! Not being judgmental toward anyone, but it is refreshing to view videos such as yours. As for the content itself, I just bought a Badland winch at HF (the 3,500# model), and for now, I intend to stay with the wire rope. However, in the event that it ever becomes frayed, as they often do, I'll know how to go about it in the correct way. Thank you for sharing, and for doing so as a gentleman! It's MUCH APPRECIATED!! Blessings to you.

great tutorial btw

Maybe someone already mentioned this would it not have been easier to drill bigger holes in the drum?

Replace the set screw with a bolt/washer of the same threat through the eye on the synthetic rope. No need to cut anything.

The instructions how to make it work on other winches is on box! But the video is much clearer. The rope will get caught in between rollers at different angels and destroy rope that's why they say to change the old one's out.

Great tip! Thanks 👍 What bumper are you using? Did you paint it?

What brand of winch bumper is that ? I have a two wheel drive XJ and a Badlands 12000 lb winch. I would like to get it mounted on Jeep. Thanks for the valuable info.

I've watched a few of these videos on how to swap out to a synthetic rope. Yours is the best of them all. I noticed you left the tensioner on. I see allot of guys taking theirs off. My question is... so you don't have to mess with taking the tensioner off at all?

Rollers have a bigger bend radius and they roll. The two biggest reasons for damaging winch rope is from chafing and bending it to hard. Rollers solve both these problems. The only reason they say to change to an aluminum haus is because if you pull something directly below the front of the winch and way off to the side, (something that happens, well, never), you can pinch the rope between the two rollers. The rollers are better, don't change it. Thanks for sharing.

awesome!

Can you tell me where to get the set screw? Size? A buddy was helping me and pulled it all way out, don't think they put one in. He was backing up to be my anchor but think he got little to fast, mine will wind in but won't mechanical wind out with the hand held control but I have a wireless controller I'm going to try and see if he broke it or controller got in mud

Why not just get a bolt the same thread pitch as the set screw and put a washer on it and bolt through the loop provided.

If you would use a button head bolt and a washer all you have to do is simply screw through the hole in the Rope into the drum and it would be attached simple

How is it for durability and and abrasion resistance? I understand it’s safer if it breaks.

Did you consider just opening up the hole in the drum to accept the larger size of the cable end?

I have a question, What brand and model is your front bumper? I am considering an upgrade and like the bumper/winch combination. I just recently purchased the Badland 12K winch from Harbor Freight. Thanks

I didn't hear anything about checking the drum and other parts that the steel cable rubbed against for burrs. Use sand paper or file to get rid of any burr that could cut the rope.

Take full advantage of the increased safety of the synthetic rope and lose the metal hook. Use soft shackles 😊...

Thoughts on retaining the tensioner with the rope?

Spool it under some kind of load. It’s important.

Or you could have used the threaded hole on the side of the drum that is meant for the Synthetic rope

Well it sure as hell ain't gonna nobody damn else after you told em the secret. Now everyone and there uncle will know how to install it properly and there will be no more returns... And no more deep discounts!

But there badlands hook dont fit on the end

Not really a comment but a question. Do NOT go off "roading"! but do had a 16 steel deck car trailer w/beaver tail. Have always wanted to add a winch to it. Most of what I have hauled is just driven on. Occasionally do have to push one on (usually have enough people to accomplish this). So the question is why the "rope style vs cable style. Yes I realize both materials are actually "rope". What are the benefits/disadvantages?

Most of the modern humans lack the simple self guidance & awareness to solve simple problems like this. There is advantage to keeping the rollers for the synthetic rope, providing it has no wear or damage from the steel cable that would damage or reduce the life of the synthetic rope. Rollers in good condition will extend the life of the synthetic rope. Of course the rollers are heavier than the alloy fairlead. So it comes down to choosing to either saving weight or making the rope last longer. I have heard that the rollers can pinch the rope & bind them up but I think this is unlikely.

How has this setup been holding up for you , specifically the roller fairlesd with rope instead of cable . I prefer rollers but im paranoid it could pinch the rope / slide off the rollers into the corners on angled pulls

The side of the winch spool has a threaded hole for the bolt and washer so you DONT CUT YOUR ROPE

What brand is the synthetic cable? Not sure if trust Harbor Freight with a potential life or death situation. We go on pretty much only solo vehicle trips. I don’t want a “good enough” or “should be ok” setup when we’re alone in the middle of nowhere. I have a Warn 9.5cti on my Jeep and couldn’t fathom having to rely on Harbor Freight to get my family home.