SSO Slimline & Harbor Freight Apex Winch - Anyone Running This?

I'm expecting my SSO Slimline in the next month or so and so I'm getting down to figuring out which winch I want. I've been leaning towards the Smittybilt X20 Comp 10k lb, but have come across the Harbor Freight APEX 12k lb. abd was wondering if A) anyone knows if it will fit as it's about an inch wider and taller than the smittybilt and, if so B) what do you think about it?

Hesitant to put anything from Harbor Freight on my truck, but I've read some good things about the winch. Curious if anyone has any first hand experience.

Thanks!

 

It's been a few months since this was asked, Anyone know?

 

If I'm not mistaken, it fits but box needs to be relocated. *I think*

10k is always the safe bet!

 

Harbor freight has a 25% off coupon right now, so the apex winch is a very tempting option(tempting enough I bought one).

 

If the winch is as reliable as their angle grinder, I'd be interested too haha

 

You can stack discounts to get it for $400

 

I had a harbor freight badlands winch with SSO slim bumper. Worked great.

 

Was that the new Apex model? Or the older one? I think the newer model is a but bigger.

 

Older. If it doesn't fit you can return it. Even with the older one I had to bend the radiator center support slightly to fit it.

 

Wondering this myself. I have the sso slimline and the apex 12k. I took advantage of the 25% off this weekend. Unboxed it today and was stoked to see that it came with everything you need to relocate the control box.
Now I'm working on how to mount the box. Was looking at the Tandem Offroad Maner Mount but I'm waiting on confirmation that the bolts will fit.

 

Have it, it fits.

Tight squeeze for sure, and you need to trim the radiator support bracket, and a tiny bit off the inside of the lower grill (like 1cm for the portion of the winch) but it fits.

I did not relocate the control box.

It's a fast and powerful winch.

 

Thank you for the input, glad I bought the winch. Now I'm comfortable buying the bumper.

 

Thread answered my questions for this same set-up. Ordered the winch and bumper a few minutes ago. Appreciate the info Sand In My Taco.

 

Matts Offroad Recovery on You tube uses one sometimes in his rescues. it gets the job done. I dont know why a business would use a cheap winch rescuing someone in a precarious position but he gets away with it.

 

Id bet the HF winch is just a rebranded "known brand" winch.

No good YouTube real life usage/reviews?

I have a Ramsey winch for 15 years till the teuck was sold, solid peice of equipment.

 

No problem!

 

There's plenty of YouTube reviews, and even Matt's off-road uses it.

And yes, it's a Warn rebrand.

Works great, used it to move a tree log last week.