Tell me about your winch

benmack1

benmack1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Location
USA
Hope this is the right place for this. I have a TJ I am building and it's about time for a winch. Just wondering what people are using and their opinions good and bad. I'd love to have a Warn 8274 but not sure I can justify (or afford) the cost. I want to be able to use this when I want so not just something for looks that will overheat all the time and I'd like to have a reliable unit when all is said and done. I guess I am leaning toward a Warn of some kind but now is the time to hear about the various models of Warns and any other make, sizes, line type whatever. Also any thoughts on the best place to pick one up too. I'm open to used if one comes up but I am not seeing a ton of them and not real sure how to evaluate a used one.

Thx for any thoughts.
 
I've had a Warn 8274 on my TJ for at least 10 years, and its been great. However, its off the jeep and for sale now, on a TJ mount plate...
But its been a great setup on the TJ, even though it's "heavy", its only about 20-30lbs more than a comparable low profile winch, and you can't beat the speed and reliability.
 
I have a Smitty XRC8. Not too expensive and works great. My only complaint it the plug on the controller where it plugs into the winch. It's pretty cheap but works. It has been extremely reliable. Hasn't let me down yet.
 
this isn't what I was hoping this thread was about

awww.tudorshoppe.com_Merchant2_graphics_00000001_kitchen_wench.jpg
 
Wenches are way more fun :D


My dad has had an 8274 on his truck for close to 30 years. Never missed a beat! I'm seriously considering a VR series Warn in the near future. I'll probably go with a VR12000. They make an 8000 and 10,000 too. Not a bad price on them at all.

Also, I see used 8274s on craigslist for 300-500 bucks quite often. Just a thought.
 
If you have the coin to go with one of the new Warn Zeon Series I would do it. They do away with the solenoids and use a contactor that has been very reliable. They carry the Warn warranty and parts are easy to come by. If you are interested in additional pricing let me know, but the Zeon 8 goes for $799. Right now you can get a free winch accessory kit (a $200 value) if you purchase select winches.

Let me know if I can help, we sell and service a lot of winches.

Thanks
 
more wench pics paleeze
 
OK, now you guys got me back on the 8274 kick :flipoff2: :D

One question, I am making my own bumper and winch plate. The plate seems fairly standard for all winches and I have measurements for a standard winch plate that I was planning to build, but I keep reading an exception for the 8274 winch. Is that correct that it's different on it's mounting or am I just misinformed??? If so, what are the specs on mounting (or rather building a mount) for the 8274? If I build a plate for a normal warn or other winch, will the 8274 not mount up OK. I thought I read the same bolt pattern but I must be missing some part of the detail on this I fear. I need to get my bumper and integral winch plate together and obviously don't have a winch yet so I'd like to plan accordingly. Any info on the warn 8274 mounting specs would be GREATLY appreciated.
 
Tarheel 4WD Center said:
If you have the coin to go with one of the new Warn Zeon Series I would do it. They do away with the solenoids and use a contactor that has been very reliable. They carry the Warn warranty and parts are easy to come by. If you are interested in additional pricing let me know, but the Zeon 8 goes for $799. Right now you can get a free winch accessory kit (a $200 value) if you purchase select winches.

Let me know if I can help, we sell and service a lot of winches.

Thanks
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Thanks much. I'll keep you in mind once I get my ducks lined up appropriately.
 
benmack1 said:
OK, now you guys got me back on the 8274 kick :flipoff2: :D

One question, I am making my own bumper and winch plate. The plate seems fairly standard for all winches and I have measurements for a standard winch plate that I was planning to build, but I keep reading an exception for the 8274 winch. Is that correct that it's different on it's mounting or am I just misinformed??? If so, what are the specs on mounting (or rather building a mount) for the 8274? If I build a plate for a normal warn or other winch, will the 8274 not mount up OK. I thought I read the same bolt pattern but I must be missing some part of the detail on this I fear. I need to get my bumper and integral winch plate together and obviously don't have a winch yet so I'd like to plan accordingly. Any info on the warn 8274 mounting specs would be GREATLY appreciated.
Click to expand...


Same bolt pattern but it is a forward mounting winch.
 
Buy an old 8274 and spend $100 on a super winch contactor to replace the solenoids.
 
shawn said:
Buy an old 8274 and spend $100 on a super winch contactor to replace the solenoids.
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Thanks. Got it after some searching. ALso now understand the mounting difference....big difference :eek:. I am getting pretty hooked on the idea of an 8274. Next dumb ass question is the battery. What kind of battery upgrade would I need to do? I am assuming my stock battery isn't gonna swing it. ALso, will a stock alternator be sufficient typically?

Did some reading on the 8274 now that I am getting some idea of what I'm looking at (in pictures anyway). It looks pretty straight forward, maybe I am naive though.
 
I've got an 8274 and liked it so much I bought another just cause it was a deal plus I may need it in a pinch sometime.

Don't build your plate till you have the winch. 8274 seem off set to me and you need to see where you want it to sit on the frontend. Plus they are pretty deep.
 
I had mine on the stock battery for one stuck, and that was enough. Upgraded to an Optima Redtop (1100CCA I think) back in 2001ish and still have it in the jeep today. Stock heavy duty alternator (105 amp I think). Its been drained down a few times even with the redtop, but it will get you out of a normal stuck every time with no problem.
 
I have three. Warn Powerplant on a 2013 JK, Warn xd9000i on my 1990 YJ, and a 8274 on my 1983 CJ. The only one I will never part with is the 8274. I rebuilt it with a new brake, seals, solenoids and added a 6 horsepower warn motor (stock is 2.5 hp). It is something else. Granted, I double the line on it most every time I use it because of the upgraded motor to protect the gears. If you can hold the CJ in place it will move a house. I traded a low profile 9000 for it. I highly recommend if you can get your hands on one and rebuild it you will be very pleased.
 
Yeah, the 6hp motor will break the gears or the gearbox, but if you find an older one with a bad motor, you can swap in a 4.6 motor (with a new motor drive gear with the right keyway, etc) and basically turn it into a 8274-50.

Mine is an older unit with (I believe?) the 2.2hp motor. I was going to upgrade it just on principle, but it pulls hard and fast enough as it is. I'll run it until it quits.
 
Sorry to say, Superwinch, doesn't make my "Husky", anymore! 8500lb., & has been super tough. Old School look, with average line speed.
It too,has never let me down, but there is a small internal brake, that's worn out, & doesn't brake, well, in reverse. On my third wire rope, since getting it in 1990! As for batteries, the last Duralast 1000cca, lasted me 7 years. Couple of years ago, I replaced it with a Red Top, because that's all Autozone had on the self, & it was priced right. Running a rebuilt 1 wire 100amp Delco,with marine kit [screens]. The "All-Nighter" at Windrock, tried to kill everybody's set-up, but mostly failed! I think that's what got my brake!:burnout:
 
rodney eppes said:
Sorry to say, Superwinch, doesn't make my "Husky", anymore! 8500lb., & has been super tough. Old School look, with average line speed.
It too,has never let me down, but there is a small internal brake, that's worn out, & doesn't brake, well, in reverse. On my third wire rope, since getting it in 1990! As for batteries, the last Duralast 1000cca, lasted me 7 years. Couple of years ago, I replaced it with a Red Top, because that's all Autozone had on the self, & it was priced right. Running a rebuilt 1 wire 100amp Delco,with marine kit [screens]. The "All-Nighter" at Windrock, tried to kill everybody's set-up, but mostly failed! I think that's what got my brake!:burnout:
Click to expand...


I agree it is a wonder anyones winch worked after that night. I think this guy could pick any name brand winch that was there that night and he probably wouldn't go wrong.
 
I run a cheap warn m8k. Got it used, well used, and it hadn't let me down yet. Its pretty wrote out but i have gotten my moneys worth out off it and I'm sure the last owner has too. Its alittle loud now and one of the long bolts that run across the drum has broke off, but it still gets me out off a bind.

The m8000 can b had brand new for like $400 i think. Alot of guys i ride w run the smitty built winch and for $300 new, that's what i would do if i was to buy a new one. They have been performing great and reliably. Its no 8274 but it will save ur ass. Just stay away from the cheap ones, champion, central, ect...

Samsung SCH-I510 tapatalkin 2 u
 
Rollincoal420 said:
I run a cheap warn m8k. Got it used, well used, and it hadn't let me down yet. Its pretty wrote out but i have gotten my moneys worth out off it and I'm sure the last owner has too. Its alittle loud now and one of the long bolts that run across the drum has broke off, but it still gets me out off a bind.

The m8000 can b had brand new for like $400 i think. Alot of guys i ride w run the smitty built winch and for $300 new, that's what i would do if i was to buy a new one. They have been performing great and reliably. Its no 8274 but it will save ur ass. Just stay away from the cheap ones, champion, central, ect...

Samsung SCH-I510 tapatalkin 2 u
Click to expand...

If you're finding new M8000's for $400 you'd better buy them all.
 
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