I just got some synthetic winch line, and just wanted to know if there is anything special i need to do to install it.

Do I need to spool it in with tension on it? do the stretch thing that you are supposed to do with steal lines? any does or don'ts i need to know about?

also have the aluminum fairlead Hawse style to go with it.

first winch and first synthetic line, so I just want to make sure I don't mess something up with the install of it and regret it on the trail later.


Also any pointers to store the steal line that is already on the winch? like how should i wrap it back up? maybe wrap it around a 2x4 or something? I want to keep the steal line as a back up on the trails, so i want it nice and neat and able to store in bag or something.

sorry if this sounds n00b'ish

 

Yes, spool it in with tension on it. Otherwise you risk it sinking into itself when you do have to use it. It won't hurt anything to spool it in without tension, I just wouldn't use it until that's been done.

Also, you might want to check your bumper for any burrs and just grind it all smooth and touch up with paint if you find some. While the rope itself is very strong and it likely wouldn't have any impact, taking a bit of extra care sure couldn't hurt. Even on my AEV front I found a few rough spots. My rule of thumb was if I didn't like how it felt on my fingertip (ie jagged, etc) I smoothed it out.

 

Good to know about grinding stuff down... i just ran my fingers over the inside of the fairlead and it's got a few spots that are like raised up some, and could cause some damage to the line if it ran over them, i'll get the dremal out for that.

ok, so i should do the tension just like you are supposed to for the steal? like hook up to a tree or something and slowly spoil it in with the brakes on a little?

 

That was my understanding. Treat it just like steel in terms of winding it in. Oh, and don't forget to duct tape the end down. Your line should have come with a picture of that part, if not I think I have a link to some pics.

 

Tape the end down???

I've never heard of that....what exactlay are yuo taping and what purpose does it serve?

 

I don't know if it's to keep it from coming free under tension and spooled out, keep it out of the way, keep it from wearing and tangling, etc... But I did it as shown in the above pic.

 

does the extra wrapped (shielded) part go on the first few rolls of the line, or at the end of the line? I've seen pictures of both? mine has like 10' of shield on it, but the shield can slide, in the box it came at the spool end of the line.

 

and mine doesn't have extra line at the end, it has a piece of metal with a hole in it for the screw, so no tape needed.

 

the rock sleeve should go at the end of the line.

 

Yeah I just read this on another site:

"When you are using your winch and there is a possibility that the rope will come in contact with a sharp rock or other object that can damage/cut the rope, you need to use a protective sleeve on the rope. Any quality synthetic winch rope will come with a heavy duty sheath (typidcally about 6'~10' long) that can be slid up and down the length of the synthetic rope for proper positioning against a rock."

Thanks, I think I'm going to wait until this weekend to put it on, so i have more time to make sure everything is smooth and grind down anything that isn't. don't want to rush it just b/c i just got it...

so no mods to do... it's Halo3 time....