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

Never used a fid on my waterskiing tow ropes, just some electrical tape and a bic lighter.

Haven’t done a winch rope yet, but it doesn’t look or feel too much different.
You definitely can use electrical or duct tape. I've done both methods and the Fid just makes it quicker and easier. At least it was for me.
 
This is why it matters:

View attachment 213209



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

View attachment 213211
This is good to know, because I didn't know this. However, I lucked out - my $19 "warehouse" fairlead must be a knock off of TRE or somesuch as it looks just like this one - I just checked out its backside. Whew! Dodged a possible bullet.
 
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.
I bought the regular M8000 over the synthetic and bought synthetic line with a safety thimble from TRE. Came to about the same price. Plus I'm about to sell the steel line and fairlead. Although I could use the roller fairlead with the synthetic line, I'm replacing it with a hawse fairlead from TRE.
 
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hey , if i should start another thread just let me know. But I have had a steel cable for 4 years now that came on an older used warn winch. I've not had any problems with it and have pulled everything from me to logs and other people with it. Is this something I NEED to change out?
 
hey , if i should start another thread just let me know. But I have had a steel cable for 4 years now that came on an older used warn winch. I've not had any problems with it and have pulled everything from me to logs and other people with it. Is this something I NEED to change out?

No. You don't need to change to synthetic. But you'll be glad that you did.
 
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i bought the M8 w/steel line with the full intention of swapping the line myself and saving a few $ off the M8S. and a 20# weight savings up front.

12 strand dyneema is what seems most preferred. drill a hole in the tail end of 1 of gramma's old knitting needles and you got your fid.
 
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come on and tell me why?

The safety aspects of synthetic are well discussed. Just as important is that synthetic is much easier to handle and work with than steel is. Gloves are not needed and there is never a fight to control the cable.
 
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. . . I have had a steel cable for 4 years now that came on an older used warn winch. I've not had any problems with it and have pulled everything from me to logs and other people with it. Is this something I NEED to change out?

No. In fact, the loggers and former loggers in my area who learned winching with steel cable still prefer it over synthetic on their jeeps.

There are pros and cons to each.
 
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No. In fact, the loggers and former loggers in my area who learned winching with steel cable still prefer it over synthetic on their jeeps.

There are pros and cons to each.
There is only one con to synthetic and that is cost. The rest of the perceived cons are by folks who are set in their ways and too stubborn to learn.
 
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The loggers and ex loggers don't like synthetic because they say it won't stand up to dragging downed trees and other debris off the trail.* We get a lot of that around here.

I suspect you guys in Johnson Valley don't have much logging debris to deal with.


There's two cons.



______________________________________

* Don't shoot the messenger. That is what they say. And they appear as adamant about steel as you are about synthetic.
 
Guess this thread answers the question I was about to ask. I'm picking up a Zeon 10-S tomorrow for a steal. It's been mounted but never used. I'll then order TRE rope, thimble, and fairlead. My biggest issue is figuring out how to explain to my wife how I got it.
 
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Guess this thread answers the question I was about to ask. I'm picking up a Zeon 10-S tomorrow for a steal. It's been mounted but never used. I'll then order TRE rope, thimble, and fairlead. My biggest issue is figuring out how to explain to my wife how I got it.
Wrap it up, leave it on the porch, and put a label on it saying it's from one of your buddies.