Words by JD Keating @Dads_That_Wheel; Photos Brad that Wheels Morris.
A winch is a safety measure that every experienced off-roader can appreciate. But have you ever given any thought to the connection points, tow hooks failing, not to mention cheap parts and manufacturing? Warn, a household name in winches and winch-related accessories purchased Factor 55 earlier this year and we are very excited to see what this inevitable match made in heaven has in store. Factor 55’s premium line of winch accessories will now have a much broader market reach thanks to the established distribution channels of Warn.
With the traditional open hook and clasp system, there’s always a possibility of failure under tension and during momentary slack conditions. Factor 55 offers a huge selection of recovery gear, from soft shackles and connection points to tow ropes and pulleys. They even offer full recovery kits in rugged carrying bags to haul everything you need wherever you go.
Brad Morris
We like the fact that the company uses Finite Element Simulation – a fancy way of saying they are tough and reliable.
Poorly constructed sheet metal safety latches are not the best option when winching the entire weight of a rig out of a precarious situation. Factor 55’s closed-system winching is safe alternative to offer peace of mind during a potentially stressful recovery situation.
We like the fact that the company uses Finite Element Simulation to design their products, which is a fancy way to say they are efficiently designed to be strong right from scratch. The result of all Factor 55’s intense input is a finished product that’s maximized for performance. You’ll also appreciate the ProLink eyelet, which allows a standard 3/4” screw pin shackle or rope shackle. It’s simple, safe winching that eliminates the potential dangers of a hook breaking or slipping free while under tension.
We got our hands on a Factor 55 ProLink and Flat Splicer to see what all the fuss was about. Installation of the 55 ProLink is a breeze. Simply disconnect your factory tow hook, insert the rope end and use a snap-ring to secure the double shear pin. We put ours on in the driveway with a small screwdriver and had it up and running in a matter of minutes.
Brad Morris
Its closed-system winching is safe alternative to offer peace of mind during a potentially stressful recovery situation.
The Flat Splicer was a little more complicated as it required a splicing tool to split our winch line in two and run it through the new hook. However, the Flat Splicer, as its name suggests, provides an improved approach angle while simultaneously protecting the entire synthetic winch line, effectively hiding every bit of rope. Esthetically speaking, they both look damn good with well thought-out designs. Factor55 end links simply add a finished look to the fairlead of any winch system.
More importantly, their functionality is awesome. Both soft and solid shackles slip through it with ease. The hole in the ProLink holds either shackle option snug while the FlatLink has an even wider range of connection holes to accommodate most shackle connections. With countless of other moving parts involved in any winching situation, installing a Factor 55 link gives you one less thing to think about.
The closed connection system products provide a simple yet effective upgrade to any winching system. Powder-coated colour matched options abound, they are an easily recognizable winch upgrade that will shout safety and confidence in any situation.