Synthetic or wire rope for cable - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Murphy IRE · 04-13-2010, 10:21 AM

OK I have a Ramsey commercial 8,000 lb winch. I need to replace what's on the drum. It will take 3/8 up to 125'. Right now it has 5/16 wire rope. It needs to be replaced. So 3/8" or 5/16"?
Synthetic or metal?

pros and cons
cost and durability (synthetic can rub & die)
What's your vote

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 04-13-2010, 04:51 PM

I would go with synthetic, it's eaiser to fix on the trail and a whole lot less dangerous to be around while in use.

check out this fix http://www.stu-offroad.com/recovery/...trailfix-1.htm

onlyifihadachevy · 04-13-2010, 07:06 PM

Synthetic, you will thank yourself every time you have to pull it.
Its its about a hundred bucks more than steel wire.

Wire will last longer if you are hooking improperly(wrapping around a object and hooking it to itself), and in rocks. But Can last years if you use the tree savers, and the protector.

Synthetic if it brakes can be an easy trail fix unlike wire which may be more of a struggle to tie it. And many use the rope for a while then flip it around to expose the fresh end.

Go synthetic.

Murphy IRE · 04-13-2010, 07:26 PM

I got a quote (local 4x4 shop) on 3/8" 100' synthetic for $300 plus end choice.

Wire rope 3/8" 120' including made up eye connetion $80 - 19,000 lb pull test
Is there an inexpensive place to buy the synthetic on line?

Mike C · 04-13-2010, 08:18 PM

Not really. $300 is about as cheap as I have seen it. How often do you plan on winching? Will the winch be stored indoors or out? If this is just a once-in-awhile useage, the steel will probably be a better choice. Not as expensive, and impervious to UV. If you winch weekly, you will be thankful for the synthetic.

Murphy IRE · 04-13-2010, 08:34 PM

Hopefully it is an insurance policy and/or hoisting a big game harvest. So not that often. It is outside, but the cable is completely secured by the bumber and grill. The line comes through the front license plate area.

Murphy IRE · 04-22-2010, 01:41 PM

It looks like I'll go with the 3/8" wire rope. I'm going to use a snatch block/shackles and come back to the truck . 110' with eyelet for $80.

Murphy IRE · 07-01-2010, 10:04 AM

I was in the 4x4 shop trying to figure out how and what kind of shackle I can mount to the front bumper. I asked the guy "metal or poly". He said go wire rope and here's why: Unless you have the new style of drum, as the poly rope clamps around the drum, it will crush/warp the older drums. Wire rope doesn't compress the same way as poly. He also stated that this is extreme winching, but it could happen! He rattled off a couple of companies that had the newer drums, but I didn't want to replace the winch, only the line.

04-13-2010, 10:21 AM	#1
Murphy IRE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Denver Metro, CO Posts: 385	Synthetic or wire rope for cable OK I have a Ramsey commercial 8,000 lb winch. I need to replace what's on the drum. It will take 3/8 up to 125'. Right now it has 5/16 wire rope. It needs to be replaced. So 3/8" or 5/16"? Synthetic or metal? pros and cons cost and durability (synthetic can rub & die) What's your vote

04-13-2010, 04:51 PM	#2
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable I would go with synthetic, it's eaiser to fix on the trail and a whole lot less dangerous to be around while in use. check out this fix http://www.stu-offroad.com/recovery/...trailfix-1.htm __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

04-13-2010, 07:06 PM	#3
onlyifihadachevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: seaside,ca Posts: 778	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable Synthetic, you will thank yourself every time you have to pull it. Its its about a hundred bucks more than steel wire. Wire will last longer if you are hooking improperly(wrapping around a object and hooking it to itself), and in rocks. But Can last years if you use the tree savers, and the protector. Synthetic if it brakes can be an easy trail fix unlike wire which may be more of a struggle to tie it. And many use the rope for a while then flip it around to expose the fresh end. Go synthetic. __________________ 72 gmc 2500 2wd drive convert My 72 thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=346712 THe other truck, wheeler 69 1/2 4x4, yellow and rusty. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=350300 Last edited by onlyifihadachevy; 04-13-2010 at 07:08 PM.

04-13-2010, 07:26 PM	#4
Murphy IRE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Denver Metro, CO Posts: 385	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable I got a quote (local 4x4 shop) on 3/8" 100' synthetic for $300 plus end choice. Wire rope 3/8" 120' including made up eye connetion $80 - 19,000 lb pull test Is there an inexpensive place to buy the synthetic on line?

04-13-2010, 08:18 PM	#5
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable Not really. $300 is about as cheap as I have seen it. How often do you plan on winching? Will the winch be stored indoors or out? If this is just a once-in-awhile useage, the steel will probably be a better choice. Not as expensive, and impervious to UV. If you winch weekly, you will be thankful for the synthetic. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

04-13-2010, 08:34 PM	#6
Murphy IRE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Denver Metro, CO Posts: 385	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable Hopefully it is an insurance policy and/or hoisting a big game harvest. So not that often. It is outside, but the cable is completely secured by the bumber and grill. The line comes through the front license plate area.

04-22-2010, 01:41 PM	#7
Murphy IRE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Denver Metro, CO Posts: 385	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable It looks like I'll go with the 3/8" wire rope. I'm going to use a snatch block/shackles and come back to the truck . 110' with eyelet for $80.

07-01-2010, 10:04 AM	#8
Murphy IRE Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: South Denver Metro, CO Posts: 385	Re: Synthetic or wire rope for cable I was in the 4x4 shop trying to figure out how and what kind of shackle I can mount to the front bumper. I asked the guy "metal or poly". He said go wire rope and here's why: Unless you have the new style of drum, as the poly rope clamps around the drum, it will crush/warp the older drums. Wire rope doesn't compress the same way as poly. He also stated that this is extreme winching, but it could happen! He rattled off a couple of companies that had the newer drums, but I didn't want to replace the winch, only the line.



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