Which Winch will Winch? (Lol)

Looking to get a winch as my bumper showed up yesterday . I went with the Highline bumper. I was figuring I would need at least a 9-10k winch. I know Warn makes the best, but any other brands worth a look?

 

I’ve had my Smittybilt 9.5k on my truck for about 6 years and it’s always worked perfect!

Steel cable beats synthetic cable any day in my book. Yes it’s heavier but I’ve seen too many synthetic cables break.

 

I wanna get that synthetic roped Harbor Freight Apex 12,000 pounder. Waiting for it to go on sale or get a discount coupon for it. I know they had their steel cable wound Apex winch on sale during Memorial Day, but don't want steel.

Seems during and since the Chyna virus debacle, Harbor Freight has been very stingy regarding sales.

I don't need a winch. Just want it. So waiting on a sale.

 

Harbor Freight has a 20% off coupon good through 6/13/2021 for this year's Father's Day sale. I just snagged that 12K synthetic roped Apex Winch for $509.00

Coupon code is: 96418244

More "Toy's" for my Tacoma



While I was at Harbor Freight, I lifted both Apex 12K winch boxed packages (steel cabled and synthetic cabled). HUGE difference in weight between both of them...

 

Harbor freight apex for sure. I’ve got 3 of these on different vehicles and have used numerous times. I ran the original badlands for a long time before these came out and never a issue either. We do lots of mud riding on sxs as well a big group of us. Some days you may use a winch 15 times and the harbor freights have preformed better than any atv winch I’ve had including the warns. The wireless remote is awesome as well.

 

Harbor freight 12k apex badlands

 

Yes on the Smittybilt. No on the wire rope. Synthetic all day long.

That being said, all winches and ropes need some care every few months. I know my Smittybilt manual specifically said to un-spool ~50+ feet every month, then re-spool it under a moderate load. That helps all the grease in the gear set stay mobile, as well as protecting the rope from fraying by keeping it wound nice and tight.

 

Just in my experience, I’ve been involved in 3 winching situations where the synthetic cable broke. They weren’t mine so idk the condition of them before. Just based on those experiences is why I keep steel cable on mine. Ive never had mine break or fray in the slightest.

Definitely a good idea to unspool and re-spool occasionally. Especially it after being used to winch something out.

 

Looks good!

 

Thanks you sir . Not decided yet on rear bumper till my stock one disappears unintentionally

 

Keep in mind synthetic ropes are susceptible to damage from UV light over time so if you go that route it's probably a good idea to keep it covered.

 

Its going on the Highline Bumper, will that badlands fit?

$700 Body Armor 4X4 Fits 2016-2020 Tacoma HiLine Series Front Bumper TC-19339

https://www.amazon.com/Body-Armor-2...=1623429342&sprefix=tacoma+bum,aps,160&sr=8-3

 

I only trust Warn winches !!!

 

I have a 10K Smittybilt in my Body Armor bumper. It's pretty old, too. I bought it in '07 to put it in my new Ram 1500. I had it there for 10 years and used it a few times without issue. I took it off when I traded the Ram for a new F250 in '17 with the intention of using it on that one, too. But, the Ford (Found On Roadside Dead) was such a complete piece of shit I never put it on. So, traded it for the '20 Tacoma and finally reinstalled the winch last Christmas. I decided to switch to synthetic since the wire rope is soooooo heavy and the Taco is a relative lightweight regarding suspension. Also, I like that the synthetic doesn't kink or stab you with frayed wires and is all around easier to handle. Case in point; getting the 100' of wire rope off the winch was a real hassle and a wrestling match in itself.

I shopped carefully for the synthetic, too. Considering what it has to do I didn't want a cheapo rope. Maybe those are the ones that break? I bought the 100' Smittybilt rope for $$$$ because it is UV resistant for 10 years (and it's covered up) it's heat treated, and some other specs I've forgotten. Essentially I bought the best I could. You know "cry once."

Anyway, it's plenty powerful, I trust the rope, it fits the bumper, and it works.

 

Body Armor Hiline bumper with a Warn VR Evo 10s winch. I got extra chafe guards to wrap the rope up nicely for extra protection and a little less maintenence.

 

Can't go wrong with a Warn for sure, I had one on a "early model" Bronco and it was real workhorse.

However, years ago I read an article, so along ago it was a paper magazine! Some 4wd rag compared/tested chinese winches to Warn and some other name brands. The jist of it was that the chinese winches performed every bit as well as the big guys...over and over again. But, their longevity could not really be tested. So the question remains how long will they last if used frequently and THAT was the determining factor in deciding to buy a cheapo chinese or pricey name brand: "how often do you intend to use it?"

I'm not a serious off roader. I go a few times a year and almost never get stuck. When I get in a bind, I can usually work out of it and can count on one hand how many times I've used my 13 year old winch. So, an expensive winch is not for me. If however, you are serious and winch on every other outing or a couple of times in a single event, I would call it an essential tool and spend accordingly.

Just my 2 cents worth!

 

The Harbor Freight Apex 12K winch dimensions are 21-1/4" x 6-5/16" x 10-1/8". I've seen elsewhere on this board that a winch of 21.3 in x 6.3 in x 8.6 in will fit in the Hiline bumper when mounted on a Tacoma.

So... if the creek don't rise and the cows come home... the Harbor Freight 12K Apex "should" fit. Just a little question about the height. I'll know for sure this weekend or I'll be taking it back.

 

Why are so many of you recommending the Apex over a shittybilt? I would have figured that they were built in the same Chinese factory.

 

Just found some pics on my phone when I installed my "shittybilt" and thought the OP might enjoy. I added the remote plug-in and relocated the license plate holder on the side. This left an opening through the light bar hole I use to engage/disengage the winch clutch.

 

So just to add a little more to the OP's question. Here is an answer (that I am at least going to run with later...)

I just went out and looked at the available space for the Harbor Freight 12K Apex winch. Length and width are no issues to install it. The height however of 10-1/8" just barely kisses the bottom of the grill/inner frame support. I measured the height of that and it looks to be 10.5" inches. The good news is that some of the bottom (of the support) can be easily ground off (or even bent) if necessary, without compromising the structural support it provides.

The red marker in the below photo indicates the bottom of the support I am referring to: