Winch Cable Question

I am looking at replacing the 5/16X150' cable on my Warn 8274.It seems the prices vary from $25 on e-bay to $200 from Warn. Also should I go with synthetic rope? I do not use real often.Any info would help. Thanks Dave

 

synthetic rope is definitely cool. I personally don't have it, but from just about everything I heard and read about it, it's worth the money. It doesn't have that life-threatening tendency that old fashioned steel cable has.

Go synthetic, just my .02.

- Evan

 

I had a Warn xd 9000 on my last wrangler and replaced the cable. I just went to the local hardware store and bought 125' of 5/16" galvanized aircraft cable. I don't remeber the exact cost but it was around 50 bucks (much cheaper than a warn replacement). If you go this route you'll need to buy a 5/16" electrical connector like what is used on battery cables to put the screw in to attach it to the drum. You can either epoxy the connector on or solder it. It doesn't have to be real strong, just enough to attach the cable because you should always have 5-6 wraps of cable on the drum when in use and spooled out. As far as the hook loop, the store where I bought mine had crimps to make the loop. I platted mine though because I noticed alot of loggers doing that on their equipment and its really strong because the cable pulls on itself and not on the crimp. Its real easy. Just unwind the cable into 2 equal halves about a 12-14" from the end. Turn the 2 halves back on theirself forming a loop and it will wind iteself back up once you start twisting it, giving you a about a 6" loop. Then you solder a small piece of copper tubing over the rough part of the platted cable to give a finished look. Its hard to describe verbally but its not difficult. I never had platted cable before and I did it on the first try. I don't really know anything about synthetic ropes. I went with cable because I don't use my winch much and I thought cable would hold up to weather better. Sorry for the long description and a lack of pictures but I no longer have that jeep.

 

Here's where a bought my replacement cable http://recoverygear.com/winchcables.html

Synthetic is safer, but also requires a new alum fairlead. I bought 3/8" x 125 for my PTO Koenig. I hear that synthetic cable is susceptible to decay from sunlight over time.

 

ditto what tumbleweed said.

 

I replaced mine (5/16" 7x19 wire) from a local cable dealer for about $50.