Received wrong winch (Should I return it or convert it?)

[mrfourpointo]

My awesome wife got me a new Warn for Christmas. She ordered the M8-S (synthetic) but they sent the M8 (steel). Should I return it or just get a refund of the price difference and buy a synthetic line? The steel is $275 cheaper.

I suppose I'll also need a different fairlead.

 

[CodaMan]

I would return it and get the correct one, but either way really works so it would depend on the $$$

A side note, I converted mine.

 

[Modoc Guy]

FYI, Warns synthetic line is chinese.
You might do better with a TRE line and safety thimble.

Just got a M8000S and was disappointed with the chinese line.

Check TRE’s stuff, everyone raves about it, and IIRC the owner’s on the forum.

 

[CaliSteve]

When I got my M8 it never got installed until I removed the steel cable, ordered the TRE synthetic and related accessories. Have not seen many good reviews for the Warn rope.

 

[Irun]

Keep it, get a refund for the difference, and order TRE line, thimble, and fairlead. With the discount you'd be a little north of $300, have a much better setup, and get the color line you want!

https://www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com/product/3-8-synthetic-winch-rope-bundl/
Contact @Garza for a discount

 

[mrfourpointo]

Wife also got me a thimble and soft shackles from TRE. Looks like I could get a TRE line and fairlead cheaper than the difference. I could upgrade to thimble fairlead and spend a little more. Perhaps I could make up the difference by selling the Warn steel cable.

 

[Chris]

Convert it, that’s what I did with my M8000. Have @Garza hook you up with some synthetic rope and a safety thimble.

 

[Zorba]

Convert it.

 

[Lou]

If you want to save a few bucks on the fairlead, I have a TRE standard fairlead id let go for cheap.

 

[Zorba]

Fairleads are cheap. I think I paid $19 for mine.

 

[Mr. Bills]

Fairleads are cheap. I think I paid $19 for mine.

The TRE fairlead is better.

Getting back to the topic at hand:

@mrfourpointo

If I were in your position I would keep the winch you have, sell the unused steel cable and hook to someone for a fair price, and purchase 85' of synthetic winch line (not 100') and a Safety Thimble II from TRE.

Any hawse fairlead will work, but the TRE unit is properly beveled for synthetic line on both sides, not just the front, and there is a scribe mark on the back indicating the necessary clearance.


In my case, I got a great price on an M-8000S, but did not like the Warn winch rope or the hook. Also, the rope was about 15' too long to fit properly on the drum without risk of bunching on a side pull and blowing up your winch. So I did as I am suggesting to you:

 

[mrfourpointo]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I'll go with this:

https://www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com/product/3-8-synthetic-winch-rope-bundl/
and

https://www.tacticalrecoveryequipment.com/product/safety-thimble-fairlead/

 

[Modoc Guy]

The TRE fairlead is better.

Getting back to the topic at hand:

@mrfourpointo

If I were in your position I would keep the winch you have, sell the unused steel cable and hook to someone for a fair price, and purchase 85' of synthetic winch line (not 100') and a Safety Thimble II from TRE.

Any hawse fairlead will work, but the TRE unit is properly beveled for synthetic line on both sides, not just the front, and there is a scribe mark on the back indicating the necessary clearance.


In my case, I got a great price on an M-8000S, but did not like the Warn winch rope or the hook. Also, the rope was about 15' too long to fit properly on the drum without risk of bunching on a side pull and blowing up your winch. So I did as I am suggesting to you:

View attachment 213183View attachment 213184View attachment 213185

I agree with your assessment and advised the OP on the TRE products, but not the 85 foot length.

The 100 foot is too much, and doesn’t fit well at all.
An 85 foot TRE line and thimble are definitely in my future.

 

[Zorba]

Considering my winch plate backs up the fairlead, it doesn't matter a whit what the back of the fairlead looks like as its covered.

 

[jjvw]

Considering my winch plate backs up the fairlead, it doesn't matter a whit what the back of the fairlead looks like as its covered.

It doesn't matter so long as the fairlead doesn't allow the rope to come into contact with the opening in the fairlead mount.

 

[Mr. Bills]

Considering my winch plate backs up the fairlead, it doesn't matter a whit what the back of the fairlead looks like as its covered.

This is why it matters:

Rear of TRE standard fairlead showing radius and scribe mark for necessary clearance:

 

[J R]

Sounds like your question has been answered, I would like to add I decided to go with 100’ and cut it down to 85’ my self. I keep the 15’ in my kit. For? Well I have not crossed that path yet but it is there.

 

[Irun]

Don't forget to factor in that if you get the thimble and line at the same time, TRE installs the thimble on the line for you. I know this isn't a hard job, but this way it's done, and done correctly!

 

[mrfourpointo]

Well shit. Already have the thimble. Probably good to learn anyway.

 

[Irun]

It's not hard. Just make sure to get yourself a fid. It makes splicing them much easier!