Nice winch and install. Tip: You need to pre-tension your line. Pull it out, up to the protective wrap, and connect it to a static object,( like a tree, or another jeep,) and winch your jeep to the anchor. This helps to prevent binding and kinking the line later when/if you use it.
Good video, I have 1 on my JK. I Installed the switch on mine and keep it on the off position all the time. And in response to one of the comments about your review on the winch without trying it, I dragged a 36’ motor home buried in the sand out of the wash at the Bradshaw Trail in Indio. No Problem! You’ll love it man.
Great video. I just installed this winch on my '24 JL rubicon and love the look of it with the Rugged Ridge Arcus front bumper I mounted it to. So far, I've only pulled a friend across the cul-de-sac in front of my house but this winch seems to be of good quality at a nice price point. I was able to get mine for 30% off during Labor Day sales, 20% off coupon + another 10% for putting it on my new HF credit card then just paid it off. Cheers!
I suggest wire the kill switch. It’s not to prevent battery from drain it lol. It’s just in case you got malfunction in connectors and winch still pulling while you panicking on your control pressing all buttons and your frame is already twisted tree falling or something. In that case you just turn the nob in switch and you are free of spending or repairing you vehicle. I suggest to put that in accessible place. I got my inside car.
That's a good point. Like you, I would have to make sure it's accessible too then because it won't do much if I still had to pop the hood open. You might have just convinced me.
Great video! I'm sorry to see that you & your friend had some issues with the winch install & wiring, but it's working now and you were able to fix your fog lights wiring issues. Great job on the overview of the Badland Apex 12000 winch and the install. The price is affordable for someone who's starting out in off roading and might not use the winch that much, but it seems to be of good quality at a lower price point than Warn or other high end winches. I plan on getting the Badland Apex 12, 000 lbs winch as my next upgrade for my truck since I already have an ARB bumber.
The kill switch is to prevent people from tampering with your winch. You can operate it without the control, too many times people have come out to their car just to find it somewhere else.
Great video... I've been checking around like you said with most of the famous brands and when I seeing the reviews for Badlands they are all goods so most likely this is the one I will buy fo my JK and I'll keep in mind your video for future reference when I gets to install it ... Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great video! Waiting for my Rock Hard 4x4 front bumper but I got this winch with the latest 10% off. Can't wait to see what fun I run into on the install.
I've had HF winches for years, 12k Badland on my Bronco, 2500k on my wheeler. They have out lasted my buddies shitty built winch two times over. It's also faster than another friends WARN. HF Badlands winches rock and work well. The only issue I had was I over extended the rope and broke the bolt that held the line to the drum, mybad.
As soon as I get a winch bumper on my Bronco I'm getting one of these too! Like you, I've been seeing so many good reports on the Badlands! I'd rather spend the money saved on gas! Great video! Thanks Bro!
@ Chris V. Saving $$ to spend on gas? That applies to me, also, especially since I'm getting a "gas guzzler" 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 soon (in Sand Dune Metallic color, of course!). ;-) -- BR
Nice wench I went with the 9000lb for my 80 CJ 5.. it only weighs in at 4200lbs. Just like it's big brother it's a great wench for a good price on sale for 329$... can't beat it.
The reason the disconnect is included is because the winch is wireless.If you're on the trail and other people have the same remote it could set it off. Also other things could possibly set it off. Just my opinion but I would have installed the disconnect.
That makes sense! But couldn't I just turn off the switch on the winch? Because that switch is specifically for the winch remote. Without it on, you would have to plug in the cable
@@The_old_grey_wolf All good! But yeah there's a switch on the winch that you can use to turn the wireless on and off. That's why I love the feature- also the same reason people don't always put the kill switch on. Harbor Freight really did a great job thinking through everything on this winch.
I've abused the hell out of this winch, easily maxed out the 12k pull many times (having to secure my jeep to a tree to recover 3 ton trucks in mud), went seriouusslly over the duty cycle many times, submerged it, everything and it just keeps going... my only complaint was I got a faulty controller that kept killing batteries and its not programmable so when I bought new one I had to cut old transmitter off and crimp contact pins on wires to "rig" the new transmitter in so it is hardwired internally in winch just like the factory one is.
Are you doing single line pulls? Why not use snatch blocks and make it easier on your winch? A Spanish burton only has a quarter of the load weight going back to the winch.
I just realized you were watching the WINCH video and not bumper video. But yeah, same response lol Harbor Freight DOES give good instructions. But for some reason it was more difficult to add this to the ARB Jeep bumper than it was to add to my wife's CBI Off Road bumper on her runner
True story bros while in the corps our resident expert motor transport mech (100% shit bird) couldn't figure out why a hmmwv was going through batteries, after 2 sets the Maintenance Officer asked me to have a look, it was the winch which was smoking hot and discharging the batteries. we disconnected the winch and fixed the issue. Some times you cant see the forest because of the trees and a second set of eyes fixes the problem.
Would a second eye be good? I mean I only have one eye that works. LOL. Also remember that military equipment is made by the lowest bidder. I’m sure there are those cases out there of the winch draining a battery but like I say in the video “I personally have never seen it”.
@@Jonesec1 sounds like someone wired the winch up wrong. Especially since the wince was hot. 12v winch connected incorrectly to a 24v system will definitely cause some electrical issues.
This is about how all my projects go too. Seems straightforward until you run into a snag Nice job getting it done & it is impressive all the stuff that winch has with it & on it for the price
I'll probably be getting one of these Harbor Freight Apex Badland 12K winches also...but not to attach to a front bumper (doesn't accept winches) but on a portable mounting plate (probably the Traveller "QM10000 Quick Mounting Plate") so it can go into my 2" towing-hitch/receiver in back. -- BR
@@pappaclutch3266 Thanks...but I don't think any of those are for Jeeps (according to their website's "application list"). For right now though, I believe my Rubicon's front/rear recovery points will be enough to help Ford Broncos get back on the trail. ;-) -- BR
Any chance you saw any indication it was good for 24v? I know the packaging says 12v but a friend uses it on a 24v system and he hasn't had any issues.
Yup. I've seen a ton of reviews though where they haven't needed it. We'll see. If I change to a dual battery system and reconnecting everything I may add it on.
A tattoo of a black bird on one side to honor the 3 miscarriages my wife had and then a white bird on the other side holding a ribbon with my sons name on it. The story behind it like Noah's ark when he sent out a raven then a dove to see if the flood had receded. Any other questions?
Warn and smittybilt are a-lot faster and way better warranty! But only by a minute and a half in speed but not a Deal breaker.Anything made in China trips me out not just Harbor Freight..Lol
Yup. When I did my research Warn beat it by a mile. Smittybilt was faster but not too much. Then I considered my usage and this fit the bill. The slowness is def not a deal breaker
Harbor Freight is going through a lot of changes lately, I felt their classic 12k cable winch was their loss leader, for $260 (after coupons) how can you go wrong... meaning they lose money selling it but it gets people hooked to buy there other junk. But now they are trying to sell quality productids all around... hmmm not sure about that. I actually like there cheap junk tools, I've used them in many creations welding them to this and that or using them in a manor that they were sure to self destruct (who would want to use a quality name brand tool just to destroy... right!)
Yep. I use a lot of their hand tools and those are what I also keep in the rig...cuz on the trail tools get lost and dirtied and sometimes I have to lend them to people etc.
@@BaptismOverland "....sometimes I have to lend them to people..." aha, found your primary loss point. More tools get lost on a lend than you will lose doing work on a vehicle in the middle of a swamp, at midnight, with nothing but a candle for illumination.
It's very fair because you just need the patience for the sale to come around. That's 10% off. Then while you're there apply for ITC membership because the cost of the membership is WAAAY less than the amount you save. So yes, anyone CAN get it for $480...question is can you be patient enough to wait (and that sale usually happens 3-4 times a year)
I bought the winch and warranty no inside track membership. Paid about $800 and totally satisfied. If I have to use the extended warranty I am not worried about it. Worst case is you got to wait a few weeks for a replacement but I don’t expect this thing is going to break anytime soon, it’s a great product, super satisfied.
It’s always been $599. What you need to do is wait for HF to put up their 10% no inclusion sale up (which happens every other month) and if you’re an ITC member it’s 20% off which makes it $480. You can apply to be an ITC member on the spot since the money you save fr the winch is way greater than the price you pay for membership (which is like $15 a year)
@@BaptismOverland 30 dollars a year or 45 dollars for 2 years. But yeah, if you get the 2 year and use the 20% off coupon, you are still saving an extra 15 bucks with this winch.
Music completely ruined the video, i had to keep muting just to get through the install. if you want subs don't add music to videos.. EVER.... NO not even then.
Nice winch and install. Tip: You need to pre-tension your line. Pull it out, up to the protective wrap, and connect it to a static object,( like a tree, or another jeep,) and winch your jeep to the anchor. This helps to prevent binding and kinking the line later when/if you use it.
Did it alrdy! Few days after!
Good video, I have 1 on my JK. I Installed the switch on mine and keep it on the off position all the time. And in response to one of the comments about your review on the winch without trying it, I dragged a 36’ motor home buried in the sand out of the wash at the Bradshaw Trail in Indio. No Problem! You’ll love it man.
Wooowww niiice
Great video. I just installed this winch on my '24 JL rubicon and love the look of it with the Rugged Ridge Arcus front bumper I mounted it to. So far, I've only pulled a friend across the cul-de-sac in front of my house but this winch seems to be of good quality at a nice price point. I was able to get mine for 30% off during Labor Day sales, 20% off coupon + another 10% for putting it on my new HF credit card then just paid it off. Cheers!
Nice work! I’ve made mistakes like that before. Such a nightmare. But it’s done, and now you have an awesome setup! Hindsight is always 20/20!
Hiiia Yaaah! I had a great time doing this install.
I suggest wire the kill switch. It’s not to prevent battery from drain it lol. It’s just in case you got malfunction in connectors and winch still pulling while you panicking on your control pressing all buttons and your frame is already twisted tree falling or something. In that case you just turn the nob in switch and you are free of spending or repairing you vehicle. I suggest to put that in accessible place. I got my inside car.
That's a good point. Like you, I would have to make sure it's accessible too then because it won't do much if I still had to pop the hood open. You might have just convinced me.
Great video! I'm sorry to see that you & your friend had some issues with the winch install & wiring, but it's working now and you were able to fix your fog lights wiring issues. Great job on the overview of the Badland Apex 12000 winch and the install. The price is affordable for someone who's starting out in off roading and might not use the winch that much, but it seems to be of good quality at a lower price point than Warn or other high end winches. I plan on getting the Badland Apex 12, 000 lbs winch as my next upgrade for my truck since I already have an ARB bumber.
Great video, thank you for the experience! I will be putting this winch on my Gladiator soon!!!
I don't think you'll be disappointed! Had this on for a long time now and have put it through its paces. It's still a champ!
This winch is a beast! It’s just as good as a Warren!
The kill switch is to prevent people from tampering with your winch. You can operate it without the control, too many times people have come out to their car just to find it somewhere else.
I never thought about it that way. Great tip!
Great video...
I've been checking around like you said with most of the famous brands and when I seeing the reviews for Badlands they are all goods so most likely this is the one I will buy fo my JK and I'll keep in mind your video for future reference when I gets to install it ...
Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great video! Waiting for my Rock Hard 4x4 front bumper but I got this winch with the latest 10% off. Can't wait to see what fun I run into on the install.
I've had HF winches for years, 12k Badland on my Bronco, 2500k on my wheeler. They have out lasted my buddies shitty built winch two times over. It's also faster than another friends WARN. HF Badlands winches rock and work well. The only issue I had was I over extended the rope and broke the bolt that held the line to the drum, mybad.
Awesome! Glad to know and also for the warning of not extending the rope! Lol
As soon as I get a winch bumper on my Bronco I'm getting one of these too! Like you, I've been seeing so many good reports on the Badlands! I'd rather spend the money saved on gas! Great video! Thanks Bro!
Worth it for sure!!
@ Chris V.
Saving $$ to spend on gas? That applies to me, also, especially since I'm getting a "gas guzzler" 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 soon (in Sand Dune Metallic color, of course!). ;-)
-- BR
Great video! Heading to harbor freight tomorrow. Appreciate your time making the video.
Nice! Keep me posted! Would love to hear your thoughts!
I put a disconnect on mine because of the way I had to route my winch wiring. Incase of frontal wreck.
Forgot my rig, 2018 4runner.
Nice wench I went with the 9000lb for my 80 CJ 5.. it only weighs in at 4200lbs. Just like it's big brother it's a great wench for a good price on sale for 329$... can't beat it.
OUCH!!! Well, looks like a good workout. So I am about to be installing the same winch... so wish me luck 🤞
Oh man I installed a winch into the 4Runner which is harder cuz of space but I gotta tell you it was easier the second time around. You'll be fine!!
The reason the disconnect is included is because the winch is wireless.If you're on the trail and other people have the same remote it could set it off. Also other things could possibly set it off. Just my opinion but I would have installed the disconnect.
That makes sense! But couldn't I just turn off the switch on the winch? Because that switch is specifically for the winch remote. Without it on, you would have to plug in the cable
@@BaptismOverland That makes sense. I didn't know it had a separate switch. I guess I should have done more research. 👍
@@The_old_grey_wolf All good! But yeah there's a switch on the winch that you can use to turn the wireless on and off. That's why I love the feature- also the same reason people don't always put the kill switch on. Harbor Freight really did a great job thinking through everything on this winch.
tape the square nuts into the slots on the winch. like masking tape. so they do not fall out or slide around, or move.
Didn't show it on the vid but we did end up doing that. What I should have used was some Krazy glue
@@BaptismOverland thanks for the tip.
I've abused the hell out of this winch, easily maxed out the 12k pull many times (having to secure my jeep to a tree to recover 3 ton trucks in mud), went seriouusslly over the duty cycle many times, submerged it, everything and it just keeps going... my only complaint was I got a faulty controller that kept killing batteries and its not programmable so when I bought new one I had to cut old transmitter off and crimp contact pins on wires to "rig" the new transmitter in so it is hardwired internally in winch just like the factory one is.
Damn that’s what’s up. Insane!
Are you doing single line pulls? Why not use snatch blocks and make it easier on your winch? A Spanish burton only has a quarter of the load weight going back to the winch.
Bro! Thank you for making this vid. Because of your vid, i knew what to watch out for and installed it once. Lol😅
Man do you know that I HAD to make it thorough because every vid I saw before was so incomplete?! And ARB doesn't give good instructions lol
I just realized you were watching the WINCH video and not bumper video. But yeah, same response lol Harbor Freight DOES give good instructions. But for some reason it was more difficult to add this to the ARB Jeep bumper than it was to add to my wife's CBI Off Road bumper on her runner
When i put the nuts into the bottom of the winch, i used duct tape to hold the nuts in place.
Did they not include a short jumper for the kill switch?
I believe they did but I don't remember now as we don't install it. It's probably in my garage somewhere.
True story bros while in the corps our resident expert motor transport mech (100% shit bird) couldn't figure out why a hmmwv was going through batteries, after 2 sets the Maintenance Officer asked me to have a look, it was the winch which was smoking hot and discharging the batteries. we disconnected the winch and fixed the issue. Some times you cant see the forest because of the trees and a second set of eyes fixes the problem.
Wow. So wait...are you saying I need to install that kill switch?
Would a second eye be good? I mean I only have one eye that works. LOL. Also remember that military equipment is made by the lowest bidder. I’m sure there are those cases out there of the winch draining a battery but like I say in the video “I personally have never seen it”.
@@eodjeep2137 true its mostly junk the winch in question was a commercial off the shelf warn.
@@Jonesec1 sounds like someone wired the winch up wrong. Especially since the wince was hot. 12v winch connected incorrectly to a 24v system will definitely cause some electrical issues.
@@eodjeep2137 yes sir that would.not surprize me in the slightest.
I have an ARB bumper coming. Already have the Badland Apex winch. About how much did you have to grind off the frame for the winch to fit?
Thanks!
Not a lot at all. I forget exactly how much. It IS a tight fit but very doable
Thank you.
This is about how all my projects go too.
Seems straightforward until you run into a snag
Nice job getting it done & it is impressive all the stuff that winch has with it & on it for the price
All. The. Time.
And yet the ones that are more difficult goes off without a hitch.
You should come up to NorCal this winter and go Snowwheeling with us and test out your nice winch…
Would love that since that's where I'm originally from! I lived in the east bay till I was 18
@@BaptismOverland where is your home base now?
@@4x2WagonFamily Florida lol talk about different
@@BaptismOverland keep up the good work, and grow your channel. Cheers!
Grinding stuff. the hot glowing shards will at times melt into glass, like side windows. Headlights ?
I didn't have any of those issues. It was fine. Most times you're not gonna get large shards.
I'll probably be getting one of these Harbor Freight Apex Badland 12K winches also...but not to attach to a front bumper (doesn't accept winches) but on a portable mounting plate (probably the Traveller "QM10000 Quick Mounting Plate") so it can go into my 2" towing-hitch/receiver in back.
-- BR
Look into a “ hidden winch mount” for your vehicle
@@pappaclutch3266 Thanks...but I don't think any of those are for Jeeps (according to their website's "application list").
For right now though, I believe my Rubicon's front/rear recovery points will be enough to help Ford Broncos get back on the trail. ;-)
-- BR
Great video
do you know if the clutch lever housing can be clocked?
That looks like my local harbor freight in Milton! 👀😂
It absolutely is! Hahah
@@BaptismOverland I’ve prob seen you around then!
Any chance you saw any indication it was good for 24v? I know the packaging says 12v but a friend uses it on a 24v system and he hasn't had any issues.
Didn't see anything but if your friend isn't having any issues then it should be fine. I run it off 12v so I wouldn't know unfortunately
The disconnect is also for safety.
Yup. I've seen a ton of reviews though where they haven't needed it. We'll see. If I change to a dual battery system and reconnecting everything I may add it on.
Man I LOVE mine
After a year. Do you still recommend it?
Considering that we just winched someone that was super duper stuck and it handled like a champ? Absolutely!
It can handle a 27" pine stump.
Will it fit most winch bumpers?
It should yes. I don't know every bumper out there in existence but it fit my ARB and it fits my friend's poison spider one
What is that black stuff on your neck???
A tattoo of a black bird on one side to honor the 3 miscarriages my wife had and then a white bird on the other side holding a ribbon with my sons name on it. The story behind it like Noah's ark when he sent out a raven then a dove to see if the flood had receded.
Any other questions?
Hey bro are you still running this winch?
On both my vehicles!
@@BaptismOverland are you pleased? I just got the same one and will install soon
Warn and smittybilt are a-lot faster and way better warranty! But only by a minute and a half in speed but not a Deal breaker.Anything made in China trips me out not just Harbor Freight..Lol
Yup. When I did my research Warn beat it by a mile. Smittybilt was faster but not too much. Then I considered my usage and this fit the bill. The slowness is def not a deal breaker
anything new warn sucks
WHAT!!!!... no cussing???..LOL!!!.. wonderful video...
😂😂😂
That’s how much I pay mine, welcome to badland
Harbor Freight is going through a lot of changes lately, I felt their classic 12k cable winch was their loss leader, for $260 (after coupons) how can you go wrong... meaning they lose money selling it but it gets people hooked to buy there other junk. But now they are trying to sell quality productids all around... hmmm not sure about that. I actually like there cheap junk tools, I've used them in many creations welding them to this and that or using them in a manor that they were sure to self destruct (who would want to use a quality name brand tool just to destroy... right!)
Yep. I use a lot of their hand tools and those are what I also keep in the rig...cuz on the trail tools get lost and dirtied and sometimes I have to lend them to people etc.
@@BaptismOverland "....sometimes I have to lend them to people..." aha, found your primary loss point. More tools get lost on a lend than you will lose doing work on a vehicle in the middle of a swamp, at midnight, with nothing but a candle for illumination.
nice!
Hearing harbor freight is like hearing a jeep, both cheap.
Awww. Big money over here!!
This video is about a install how can you do a review if you don’t really use it?
I'll get stuck one day lol. And when I do, trust me you'll all know. I just reviewed what came with it and the stats and how it's built.
It's not fair to say $480, most people aren't getting it for that price. It's $600
It's very fair because you just need the patience for the sale to come around. That's 10% off. Then while you're there apply for ITC membership because the cost of the membership is WAAAY less than the amount you save. So yes, anyone CAN get it for $480...question is can you be patient enough to wait (and that sale usually happens 3-4 times a year)
@@BaptismOverland And now it's $630, it's going up! LOL
@@tonyinfinity Glad I got in on time! Hahaha
incredibly long vid. ......too long but I do own one...
Their standard warranty sucks.... Has anyone that bought this winch, also bought (and had to USE) the extended warranty that Harbor Freight offers?
The two year warranty is somewhere around $229 just bought this winch last week
I bought the winch and warranty no inside track membership. Paid about $800 and totally satisfied. If I have to use the extended warranty I am not worried about it. Worst case is you got to wait a few weeks for a replacement but I don’t expect this thing is going to break anytime soon, it’s a great product, super satisfied.
I haven't had to use it no
$480? Thing is 6 bones now a month later. $599.99
It’s always been $599. What you need to do is wait for HF to put up their 10% no inclusion sale up (which happens every other month) and if you’re an ITC member it’s 20% off which makes it $480. You can apply to be an ITC member on the spot since the money you save fr the winch is way greater than the price you pay for membership (which is like $15 a year)
As I said in the video I get notifications fr them and soon as I saw the coupon go up I rushed over.
Yeah man no worries I rewatched the vid. Checked online ill have to keep eyes out for that for what it is thats a great deal.
@@BaptismOverland 30 dollars a year or 45 dollars for 2 years. But yeah, if you get the 2 year and use the 20% off coupon, you are still saving an extra 15 bucks with this winch.
I walked in yesterday... Walked out with winch $479
Mount bolts it comes with are junk.
Not gonna lie…they are. You saw our struggle lol. Like one wrong move and that sh- was gonna get cross threaded. Great winch. Horrible hardware.
Music completely ruined the video, i had to keep muting just to get through the install. if you want subs don't add music to videos.. EVER.... NO not even then.
Thank you for your feedback!
Real Jeeps have more room under the hood
So just to clarify...what is a "real Jeep"
More like 600 bucks bra
Not if you wait for sales and have iTC membership