Factor 55 winch options

looking to replace the factory hook on my smittybilt X20 10K.

Factor 55 seems to be the most well known.

Thimble?
Flatlink?
Ultrahook?

I understand that they all have fully closed linking options, which is what I’m looking for. But any reason to go with one over another one?

 

I am in the same situation as you are. I have looked at almost every option out there and still thinking about what to do. The thimble from F55 seems to be the most popular and for the right reasons. Simple and to the point. F55 makes a few other options like the bridle one and the flat link, but I'm not sure how much benefit I would get out of that unless I was doing a multiple line or high angle recovery. Guess I wouldn't know until I was in a situation where I had to have those options. Smittybuilt makes a thimble as well and it runs about $70. Its a nice piece of kit and rates about the same as the other thimbles on the market. The only thing I do not like about replacing the hook on my X20 10K is that no matter what, you have to cut the hook off. I think that is a huge oversight on their part. I do not like the idea of running an angle grinder or torch on that hook within millimeters of the synthetic line.

 

I went with the Flatlink

 

Tie a rag around the end of your line and dunk it in water to keep it cool. Do not use a torch as it will cause an extreme amount of heat compared to a grinder. Use a cut-off wheel instead of a grinding disc and continue to dunk as needed.

I use the F55 thimble.

 

Spot on. That's the plan. Between the heat and metal chards potentially ending up in the rope, its just sucks no matter what. I wish that they would have just axle pinned the hook like warn does. At least then I could keep it as a spare- its not a bad hook at all.

 

Why don’t you just cut the rope and splice on Factor 55’s Splicer or Flat Splicer model?

 

Factor 55 thimble and custom length rope.
Courtesy of "Southeast Overland".

 

I just cut my hook off a few weeks ago. I used an angle grinder because it was quicker than a hacksaw. Hacksaw would have worked. I clamped the hook to my table so it didn't move. I layered up a bunch of tin foil, folded it so it was about 2 inches wide and maybe 8 inches long and threaded it through the hole between the synthetic winch line and the angle grinder sparks, to protect the line. I also positioned the cut off wheel so the sparks were flying away from the winch line. Also, I didn't just power through the hook in one cut that would really heat up the metal, since my winch line was against it on the opposite side of the hole. I cut into it a few millimeters and stopped for a minute, let the hook cool off... then a few more millimeters... let the hook cool off. You get the picture.

 

Flatlink Expert for the win. Shackle fits through.

https://factor55.com/product/flatlink-e-expert/

 

I think this may be for me!

 

I tried the F55 thimble. Straight forward enough until I had to use it in -5 degree weather. Hooking up with a shackle and heavy gloves proved more awkward than anticipated. Now using Warn Ultimate hook. Much happier. Not to mention much WARMER!

Also went to synthetic capable roller fairlead. Less wear and tear on line.

 

I have the flat link and like it. Only reason I picked that over the thimble is aesthetics. The thimble looks like a giant nipple.

 

If you 'wheel in bigger rocks or on ledges, those thimbles are just begging for damage. I run the flat link on our Jeep for that exact reason.

 

I know this is an old thread but @doublethebass like reminded me of its existence. Since this post, I have switched to Warns ultimate hook like Bluegrass has. It is just so much simpler. Want to winch off a tree? Wrap the tree saver around, and clip the hook directly to the strap. No fumbling around with a shackle and one less thing to fail in that "chain".

Winch line -> Factor55 -> Shackle -> Tree saver

Winch line -> Warn hook -> Tree saver

 

glad I could help haha

I'm gonna go the same way....that Warn hook looks like it'll be great

 

Masterpull is now selling a synthetic line with a captive sliding puck style keeper. I think that’s the route I’m going with the winch on the new Silverado.

 

I like the Masterpull puck. I have only a small tube thimble on my winch rope. The puck would be nice to pull it tight onto the drum.

Hopefully they'll sell it alone soon.