Winches - Converting from steel cable to synthetic rope

Buckin Bronco

Hello,

I have a Warn 9.5xp winch with a steel cable and am looking at the possibility of converting it to synthetic rope.

Besides changing the roller to a hawse fairlead, will I also have to change the drum? Do synthetics use a different style drum?

Which brand synthetic rope do you recommend ?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Should not be an issue with the drum but he sure to get the proper size replacement to match the specs from the steel and capacity of your winch.

The biggest problem that I have seen with synthetic line is when reloading the spool the line wants to dive under existing rope on the drum so make sure to recoil under some pressure otherwise, free hand unspooling is a PITA.

Since you have a Warn winch why not simply buy their synthetic line? BTW - Dyneema is considered to be the strongest rope material so I would suggest you begin your quest there. Good luck!

One advantage to the synthetic rope is that it is safer. If it breaks it drops.

I don't know this to be the case, but I've heard it's harder to work with at cold(er) temps, that it can get wet and freeze. OP is in Canada, I wonder if that's an issue or concern?

AcesandEights

I don't know this to be the case, but I've heard it's harder to work with at cold(er) temps, that it can get wet and freeze. OP is in Canada, I wonder if that's an issue or concern?

Very interesting observation. Makes me think will the synthetic have any issues with extreme heat in AZ? Looking forward to your input on this folks

Buckin Bronco

Hello,

I have a Warn 9.5xp winch with a steel cable and am looking at the possibility of converting it to synthetic rope.

Besides changing the roller to a hawse fairlead, will I also have to change the drum? Do synthetics use a different style drum?

Which brand synthetic rope do you recommend ?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

I run synthetic rope on my wd9000i and my 8274. Will never go back. I got mine from a company called Custom Splice. Great folks to deal with and Todd can answer all your questions.

Bschurr

Buckin Bronco

Hello,

I have a Warn 9.5xp winch with a steel cable and am looking at the possibility of converting it to synthetic rope.

Besides changing the roller to a hawse fairlead, will I also have to change the drum? Do synthetics use a different style drum?

Which brand synthetic rope do you recommend ?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Should not be an issue with the drum but he sure to get the proper size replacement to match the specs from the steel and capacity of your winch.

The biggest problem that I have seen with synthetic line is when reloading the spool the line wants to dive under existing rope on the drum so make sure to recoil under some pressure otherwise, free hand unspooling is a PITA.

Since you have a Warn winch why not simply buy their synthetic line? BTW - Dyneema is considered to be the strongest rope material so I would suggest you begin your quest there. Good luck!

As for the size of rope, the xp and xps look the same (specs are identical), only difference is the xps uses a 3/8"x100' rope, so I'll use the same.

I've been comparing the Warn Spydura/Spydura Pro and Master Pull Superline XD ropes. Master Pull appears to be the better one out of the two.

AcesandEights

I don't know this to be the case, but I've heard it's harder to work with at cold(er) temps, that it can get wet and freeze. OP is in Canada, I wonder if that's an issue or concern?

Good question. I personally have never had to winch in freezing temperatures, but there are a few local YouTubers that go out year round and they haven't made any comments on their rope getting stuck or anything like that.

TK1215

AcesandEights

I don't know this to be the case, but I've heard it's harder to work with at cold(er) temps, that it can get wet and freeze. OP is in Canada, I wonder if that's an issue or concern?

Very interesting observation. Makes me think will the synthetic have any issues with extreme heat in AZ? Looking forward to your input on this folks

I think if it got hot enough to cause issues with your rope, you'd have bigger issues.....like death.

***EDIT

From what I have found so far is that synthetic rope will loose some strength when heated between 150 - 200F but regains full strength when cooled. Melting temperature is somewhere over 300F.

I think there is probably more heat derived by the motor/spool which would make more of a difference than the ambient temperature.