Harbor Freight 12K Apex winch modification

Preface; I'm still waiting for UPS to get over their "extreme weather event" which is delaying the delivery of cosmoline that I ordered. No "extreme weather event actually exists, they're just on their arses, and behind with deliveries. I need the cosmoline to coat the inside of my Hiline front bumper, before I permanently install the Harbor Freight winch. Anyway I have digressed... to the meat of the matter;

I scrutinized the Apex winch a little closer today; on the back of the protective motor casing shell, there is a huge access port where the negative wire for the motor is attached. If the winch was to be momentarily submerged, water is supposed to weep out of three very tiny slots under the protective casing. Tiny slots when over time, could easily become clogged with debris and grit. No other way for the water/corrosive contaminates to drain out.



I decided to widen the three slots a little more today with a grinder, in order to prevent the above scenario. Once I get the interior of my bumper cosmolined and the winch installed, this should alleviate my worries of non drainage of the motor's protective shell.

 

Good idea, nothing you’ll ever see either.

Keep us updated when you get to use that, I know I’m interested to see how it performs.