Curious if the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch is just a Chinese winch with a fancy sticker? Dive into our no-nonsense Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch review to get the lowdown!

For the past two years, our trusty Jeep Wrangler has been rocking the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch. Picture this: when we first got it, the package included the winch, front roller assembly, automatic braking system, and a nifty wired remote. Installing it on our Jeep required us to grab mounting spacers and brackets for the front bumper.

Why did we choose this winch? Simple. We wanted an affordable Jeep winch that could flex its muscles during our rock crawls and on those tricky off-the-grid trails. The Harbor Freight Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch fit the bill, and onto our Jeep Wrangler it went.

Now, after giving it a solid two years of action, our Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch review spills all the beans the good, the bad, and the nitty-gritty. We’ll lay out the features, share the pros and cons, give our final verdict, and even throw in a guide for upgrading your Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch.

So, is it a stickered-up Chinese winch or a real off-road champ? Let’s find out together.

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Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch Review

So, we’ve been rocking the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch on our Jeep Wrangler for a solid two years now, and let me tell you, it’s not just a looker on the front bumper; it’s a beast when it comes to Jeep recovery. Harbor Freight really nailed it with this one!

This Badland winch runs like a dream. But let’s talk weight; it’s a bit hefty at 89 lbs. So, if you’re eyeing it, make sure your Jeep’s got a sturdy front bumper to handle it. We lucked out with a heavy-duty steel bumper designed for a mounted winch.

Now, the nitty-gritty maintenance stuff. The aircraft-grade winch cable and gears have been our focus. No issues so far, but we’ve been treating them with fluid film to keep them going strong.

Check this out The Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch has a duty cycle time. You can go full tilt for about 45 seconds, then give it a breather for a good 14 minutes and 15 seconds of rest after every continuous 45 seconds of winching.

And about those cables, they’re a solid 65 feet long with three layers of pulling power. The first layer kicks in for 12,000 lbs, the second for 9,500 lbs, the third for 7,886 lbs, and the fourth layer handles 6,732 lbs. That’s the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch in action, folks!

Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch Packaging

Here’s the lowdown on the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch:

Features	Specifications
Motor	6hp
Cable	6ft
Remote	12ft corded
Brake	Auto load brake
Tensioner	Cable Tensioner
Line Speed	4.4 FPM
Controller	Plugin Controller
Installation	Put in line with the battery cable

This Badland beauty boasts a 6hp motor that packs a punch. With a 6ft cable and a generous 12ft corded remote, you’ve got control at your fingertips. Worried about unexpected slips? Fear not; it comes equipped with an auto load brake and a handy cable tensioner.

Zooming into action, the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch cruises with a line speed of 4.4 feet per minute (FPM). The controller? It’s a breeze with a plugin controller. Just make sure to hook it up in line with your battery cable during installation. Now, that’s a winch that means business

What We Like About The Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch

Installing the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch on our Jeep was a breeze, but here’s the scoop: it’s a hefty winch, so make sure your front bumper can handle the load.

This powerhouse winch comes with four standard bolt mounting options underneath, making it easy to secure to your front bumper. But heads up – we needed some extra mounting brackets to ensure a snug fit on our bumper. Before you dive in, check your bumper’s winch mounting slots to ensure a perfect match.

Our tweak involved adding ½-inch spacers between the bumper and the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch. Keep in mind that this was specific to our bumper; yours might just be a perfect fit!

Now, about the manual, there’s not much on installation. It’s loaded with operation details, but they skim over installation because, let’s face it, everyone’s got different bumpers. No one-size-fits-all here!

Inside the Badland ZXR, 12000 lb winch beats a three-stage planetary gear system. Fancy term, right? It means extra strength with high axial and radial capacity.

Let’s talk wires The ones that come with the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch are tough and lengthy. You can maneuver them wherever you need them within the front bumper. Easy peasy.

What We Hate About The Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch

The Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch has some quirks that need attention. On a mud trail, we faced a hardcore stuck situation, and running the winch for a while made it hot. This winching-cooldown dance drains our Jeep’s battery, especially in intense recovery situations.

Let’s talk fast. The Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch isn’t a speed demon. It pulls at a slower pace compared to others. The slow pull is a blessing in disguise, giving us a close-up view of the winching process and ample reaction time.

Here’s the battery drain saga – winching without idling your Jeep puts a dent in your battery. We slapped two batteries in our Jeep to combat this issue. Off-roaders, take note – dual batteries save the day during intense recovery missions.

Post-purchase, we put the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch through its paces, but a switch to a synthetic winch rope revealed a flaw. Upgrading to synthetic makes maintenance a breeze; no gloves are needed.

Safety matters! While steel winch cables are durable, we leaned toward a synthetic winch rope for our Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch. It adds a layer of safety without compromising performance.

Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch Upgrade Options

In our Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch review, we’ve got a couple of upgrades that can seriously boost performance and amp up your user experience.

First on the list  ditch the stock 150-amp breaker that comes with the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch. Instead, go for an aftermarket upgrade like the LENKRAD 150 Amp Circuit Breaker 12v with Manual Reset Switch Button. Why? This gives you the power to disconnect your winch entirely when not in use. It’s all about control; switch it on only when you need that winching muscle.

Now, let’s talk ropes. We waved goodbye to the steel cable and welcomed a synthetic winch rope into the mix. Why? Maintaining that steel cable was a chore. With the synthetic rope, it’s a breeze; just unspool it and give it a wash when needed. No more greasing gears and dealing with the steel cable fuss. For us and most off-roaders, it’s a game-changer.

Pros and Cons of Badland ZXR 12000 lb Winch

Pros:

• Budget-Friendly: This winch is affordable, making it a good choice for those on a budget.
• Strong Performance: With a powerful motor, it’s great for tough tasks like rock crawls.
• Easy to Install: Setting it up is simple, with various mounting options and a convenient remote.
• Durable Build: The cable and gears are tough, needing little maintenance. The gear system adds extra strength.
• Upgrade Options: You can improve its performance with suggested upgrades, like changing the breaker or using a synthetic winch rope.

Cons:

• Heavy: Weighing 89 lbs, it might be too heavy for some vehicles. Check your bumper’s strength.
• Slow Speed: It pulls at a slower pace, which might test your patience in some situations.
• Battery Drain: Intense use can make it hot, draining your vehicle’s battery. Consider using dual batteries.
• Limited Installation Info: The manual lacks detailed installation instructions, and extra parts may be needed.
• Steel Cable Maintenance: The steel cable, while durable, requires more upkeep. Consider upgrading to a synthetic rope for easier maintenance.

FAQs

Who makes Badland winches?

Badland winches are made by a company called Badland, which is a brand known for producing various off-road and utility products, including winches.

What is the line speed of the Badland ZXR 12000?

The line speed of the Badland ZXR 12000 winch is around 3.6 feet per minute when there is no load. This speed may vary under different conditions.

What is the best winch for the money?

Determining the best winch for your money depends on your specific needs and budget. Badland winches are often considered good value for their performance and price. It’s advisable to compare features and read reviews to find the one that suits you best.

How much does a Badlands 12000 winch weigh?

The weight of a Badlands 12000 winch is approximately [insert weight here] pounds. It’s essential to consider the weight of the winch, especially if you’re planning to mount it on a vehicle or carry it for off-road adventures.

Our Final Verdict

Summing it up, the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch is a solid choice for your first winch or budget build. It handles heavy-duty tasks like a champ, but the slowness might test your patience. After two years of putting it through the paces on our Jeep, we can confidently say it gets the job done.

So, here’s the scoop if you’re diving into the off-road world or looking for a budget-friendly winch, don’t hesitate to grab the Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch. It’s been our trusty sidekick for two years.

And that’s a wrap on our Badland ZXR 12000 lb winch review. We’ve laid out the highs and lows after real-world use, hoping it helps you make an informed decision for your own off-road adventures. Happy wheeling!