8274-50 Solenoid to Contactor conversion for FJ40

[71FJ40]

Typical story, couple solenoids bad, need a fix.
$239 for new warn solenoid pack
Amazon product

$195 for new contactor
Amazon product

Loads of research and many pros, Aussies and 40 folks have switched to the contactor option instead of solenoids. Some use the old starter solenoids but they can be very dangerous since they can fail closed (i.e., the winch will keep running)

Connections to the motor from the contactor are straight forward as contactor and motor are labeled.
I labeled the input controls on the contactor in the pic below and wiring from the plug is as follows:

Green - to "In" (for winch spooling in)
White - to battery +ve
Black - to "Out" (for winch spooling out)
With some finesse, everything will tuck under factory cover.

tested and all seems well. Now for some heavy pulls and durability tests...

ng in)

 

[John McVicker]

Good job, please keep us updated on how well you like the contactor option. I still have the solenoids and carry spares. The next time I have a solenoid issue in the field, I will pull out a spare to get going again, but will then finally switch over to the contactors.

I waited too long and now the Albrights are NLA. Might have gone with the Warn option anyway but now not sure there is any other option.

 

[White Stripe]

Amazon product

Here is the superwinch Albright most use for older 8274 winches...

Superwinch 90-14452 Superwinch Replacement Solenoids | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Superwinch Replacement Solenoids with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Winch Replacement Parts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[1911]

Here is the superwinch Albright most use for older 8274 winches...

Superwinch 90-14452 Superwinch Replacement Solenoids | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Superwinch Replacement Solenoids with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Winch Replacement Parts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

That's the one I used in my 8274, but it's currently NLA from Summit.

FWIW, my 41-year-old 8274 is now the most reliable and the best winch I've ever had, after replacing the solenoids with a contactor and replacing the original motor with one for a 9.5XP winch. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[White Stripe]

That's the one I used in my 8274, but it's currently NLA from Summit.

FWIW, my 41-year-old 8274 is now the most reliable and the best winch I've ever had, after replacing the solenoids with a contactor and replacing the original motor with one for a 9.5XP winch. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

Amazon has it from what I see here...
Amazon product

 

[71FJ40]

That's the one I used in my 8274, but it's currently NLA from Summit.

FWIW, my 41-year-old 8274 is now the most reliable and the best winch I've ever had, after replacing the solenoids with a contactor and replacing the original motor with one for a 9.5XP winch. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

What advantages/differences are there in the 9.5XP motor?

 

[1911]

What advantages/differences are there in the 9.5XP motor?

2.5 x the horsepower of my original 8274 motor, splined output shaft (stronger than the keyed shaft on older 8274's), direct bolt-in replacement. New brushes in the motor (Warn no longer sells replacement brushes for the older motors). But of all these, the extra hp is the nicest. People say the 8274 was underrated at 8,000 lbs stock. I don't know what mine is capable of now because I haven't yet reached the upper limit. I did pull a 3/4-ton Ford diesel pickup towing a gooseneck trailer out of a steep borrow ditch and up a steep hill with it. Pretty much, if I can anchor my 40, the winch will pull anything.

 

[71FJ40]

2.5 x the horsepower of my original 8274 motor, splined output shaft (stronger than the keyed shaft on older 8274's), direct bolt-in replacement. New brushes in the motor (Warn no longer sells replacement brushes for the older motors). But of all these, the extra hp is the nicest. People say the 8274 was underrated at 8,000 lbs stock. I don't know what mine is capable of now because I haven't yet reached the upper limit. I did pull a 3/4-ton Ford diesel pickup towing a gooseneck trailer out of a steep borrow ditch and up a steep hill with it. Pretty much, if I can anchor my 40, the winch will pull anything.

What is the part number?

 

[1911]

What is the part number?

68608

Warn Replacement Winch Motors 68608

If your 8274 motor has a keyed shaft, you'll also have to buy a new splined pinion gear to go with the 68608 motor:

Amazon product

 

[White Stripe]

My winch is from the 70s I think. I just cleaned up the old motor and put some lube on the bushings. People comment on how fast the winch is. Would like to do the 9.5 motor upgrade someday though. A few companies sell dual motor kits in case you need to winch at freeway speeds or pull out a stuck train from the mud.