I took the hook off of my cable and used a 6 foot piece of a Harbor Freight 2" tow strap. I just taped it on the thimble (not that you have that any more) and took a couple of wraps around the drum. I know alot of guys change out the cable or completely remove it, but I had enough room to put both on there. One thing I like about it is if you let out too much line it doesn't rats nest up in the drum.