I've just got my winch and plan to install this weekend. Trying to keep weight down, I decided on synthetic rope instead of cable. I know that you have to spool the cable out and winch in under slight load to stretch it before the first use, I've done this in the past. My question is...do you have to do this with the rope?? Or is the rope ready to use out of the box?

 

One thing I would do that helps the synthetic line not get memory and helps protect from UV damage is to soak the whole thing overnight in fabric soft. Go to the dollar store and buy a bunch of cheap fabric softener then toss the line in large coils in a bucket and fill it up. Don't add water. This coats the fibers and helps protect from sun, dirt, etc. Also keeps the line soft and prevents fraying. Been doing this for years on my sailboat.

 

You should pre tension the first few wraps at least. You mainly do not want loose inner wraps to be strangled by tight outer wraps when in use, same basic principle as with steal. Granted with steal it is more critical due to the high amount of cable stretch.

Simply hook up to a tree or budy's bumper and pull you jeep using the winch. This will add enough pre tension.

 

Yes, just apply the brake and wind the rope in. I had my buddy Joe guide the rope, a huge help to have a friend! ( and yes, I am going down the driveway due to the tree being down there and busy street traffic lol).

 

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Isn't it going to be hard to guide the rope when its under tension?? Seems like it would have to just follow its own path.

 

X2 on what Tripp said. Using a tree and a buddy is the way to go. Thought I was looking at my jeep in that pic..

 

^ gotta love Red jeeps! Yes it is going to be a little tough winding it in, but there is still enough play while under tension to guide it. I forgot to mention to use the Jeeps steering to help, go back and forth about 3 ft and it will help wind it in. I know on you tube, they have videos and I'm sure on project-jk there should be a guide. Remember not a ton of tension, don't stand on the brakes lol, as Wayoflife says in his videos 'Keep It Tight' so each wrap doesn't fall through the next lower layer.

 

I did a similar setup on my rope.
We have a flat driveway and a nice tree to wrap.
I controlled winch and guided the cable as one of our daughters sat in the driver's seat
with JK in N and steering and braking when I directed.
Worked great.

 

when i wound my synthetic line i just hooked on to my buddy's 4runner and drug him across my mom's long driveway.

 

I suggest you get a winch cover. Protects not only the synth line but also the winch itself.