Thinking about replacing my winch cable with a Synthetic rope.

[Hammerjack]

I've been addressing issue with my used/ still new to me 2018 PW. I upgraded the front end; and it came to my attention, I have no idea about the condition of the winch cable. The previous owner beat the crap out of this truck (lead to the trade in) so I figured I might want to swap out the steel cbale for a synthetic rope. But so for I have not found any video show just how to do that for a PW. Any advice?

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I've been addressing issue with my used/ still new to me 2018 PW. I upgraded the front end; and it came to my attention, I have no idea about the condition of the winch cable. The previous owner beat the crap out of this truck (lead to the trade in) so I figured I might want to swap out the steel cbale for a synthetic rope. But so for I have not found any video show just how to do that for a PW. Any advice?

Unspool the steel cable and there is an eyelet on the end with a small set screw holding it to the drum. The new synthetic line will need to be spooled up under tension to pre stretch it a bit.

 

[17Ramguy78]

I was thinking of doing the same, I have not even unspooled the steel cable on my 17. I will see what it looks like and that will determine which way I go.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I was thinking of doing the same, I have not even unspooled the steel cable on my 17. I will see what it looks like and that will determine which way I go.

Steel cable last a long time, especially on a street vehicle. It’s probably fine but There are many benefits to switching to synthetic.

I have one vehicle with steel cable and synthetic on the two that get used more

 

[Saskman]

Synthetic cable is the only way to go it’s safer and it doesn’t maintain any kinetic energy if it breaks and you don’t have to worry getting poked in your hands from a piece of wire.

I’ve had one installed on my jeep Wrangler in 2010 and 14 years later it’s still good and it’s still strong as it was new

The other good thing about synthetic cable. If it breaks for whatever reason you aren’t stuck with a broken cable and no hook you can do a proper not and reconnect the hook and you’re good to go.

 

[Poolmonkey]

If the steel isn’t kinked or frayed and you don’t intend to use it a lot, might as well leave it imo.

 

[oppizzippo]

Go for it! Check your fairlead, you'll want to make sure its very smooth and not damaged or it'll damage the synthetic rope. Might want to budget in a new one as part of the upgrade.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

14 years later it’s still good and it’s still strong as it was new

This part is not true. UV rays from sunlight will degrade synthetic winch rope

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Go for it! Check your fairlead, you'll want to make sure its very smooth and not damaged or it'll damage the synthetic rope. Might want to budget in a new one as part of the upgrade.

This is important. Also, the drum should be de-burred / sanded before switching

 

[RAMBOW]

Thanks for this post, I was thinking of going the other-way and go to wire rope, I will leave well enough alone.