been thinking of a front winch for as long as Ive owned my F350. I cant afford a Warn for $1700 dollars and Ive been doing alot of research on the new Harbor freight Badlands winches and Ive seen nothing but good reviews so far. And they are on sale right now for 299 plus i have a 20% coupon so i was gonna get myself a Christmas present

 

Offroad Winch - 12,000 lb. Offroad Winch w/ Automatic Brake

 

I have that same model mounted on the front of my car trailer. I've done everything with it from dragging derby cars up it with the frame dragging to bending and pulling out body panels. I leave it sit open outside and in 2 years I've had no issues.

 

i don't need it but i ALWAYS wanted one on my truck, and for the price i should just buy it and mount it on my 77 F150. Been checking Google doesn't Warn sell the winch mount push bars anymore? I was going to sell my Westin stainless push bar and buy the Warn one so i could mount it. If not i know a guy who welds stainless and aluminum and weve discussed having him make me a welded on mount for my current push bar but I'm not sure it would hold up to a winch being on it??

 

Harbor freight: it's hit or miss depending on what you buy. Also, some of the reviews that you might read are not always, "suspect". I have bought some good stuff from Harbor freight, and then my friends have bought some not so good stuff.

 

Ive been buying stuff from them for almost four years, big items i use regularly are my 20ton shop press, 220 gas MIG welder, 1/2" drill press, pancake compressor, and my table sander and other various sockets etc and so far have never broken anything. I did bust a 5/8" gear ratchet on my old rusted up 1985 F250 mud truck but i just went back with the gear ratchet and my receipt and got a brand new set no questions asked. But for 300 bucks, and then 20% off coupon and then 30 dollars for a 2year warrenty..... a hell of alot cheaper then $1700 for a overpriced Warn

 

you can not use the 20% off coupon with the $299 coupon.
i have had one of those winches on the car hauler for the past 2 years as well, and have put it through hell and back without a hiccup

 

it says i can use the 20% with any sale??

 

I have had one of those winches on my car hauler to for 3 or 4 years. And have put it through hell also without a hiccup. It has bin good to me. One of Harbor freights good things.

 

thanks guys, i don't offroad my F350 at all so again i don't really need it but I'm trying to sell my current home and buy something with 4-5 acres (i hope) so i can have a nice yard for the dog and kids. So removing scrubs, small tree roots etc will be the main purpose. Then the winter snow you never know when you might come upon someone who slid off the road....... or that faint chance i might actually decide to go see what the old girl can do through some mud holes!

 

My experience with HF is hit and miss. Usually on the electronic stuff, I'll get their warranty, which is usually pretty cheap. The thing breaks, take it in and they'll give you another one right then.

 

rite. but look at the $299 coupon for the winch, and it says you can not use any other coupon with it.

 

Anyone got pictures of their F-250 with a Harbor Freight Badland 12,000 lb winch installed on the front using the HF universal channel?

HF installation instructions suck. Do I need to remove the bumper? Does the universal channel really fit between my 2004 4x4 frame rails without modification cutting, welding, or drilling? Do I need to move the license plate, cut any plastic or steel?

Did I mention the Harbor Freight installation instructions really, really suck? Half-vast would be better than the useless waste of a piece of paper they include in the box. A big company like Harbor Freight should have YouTube or Vimeo demos for every substantial product.

 

I'm using that Winch on my truck. I really like it. I have used it 3 times since mounting it 2 months ago. I pulled a large tree from the ground, I moved a storage building, and I helped get a stuck SUV out of a ditch. Each time it performed without any issue. I highly recommend this winch. I also purchased the 2-year replacement warranty for $30. The other member is correct about the $299 price. They WILL NOT honor the 20% off coupon. Still, for $299, its a great value.

Here are some pictures.




I then secured it by mounting brackets over the bolts

 

Harbor Junk = Chineasium = Junk = Americans out of work. I steer clear of the place.