light weight winches? bye bye 8274's

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Apr 7, 2008
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louisville,ky
I am preparing my parts stock for a fj40 rebuild this spring.. not going to go into all the details now, but i'm loosing some major weight.. I think i want to get rid of my 8274-50's and get some smaller lighter winches. one will go behind the grill and the other in between the rear frame rails. Does anyone have any suggestions on a decent winch that is affordable? I dont need lightning fast or top of the line, i normally just use my winches for helping other people anyway.
I would also like an oppinion on what my 2 8274-50's are worth? Would it be likely that anyone would trade me a lighter bottom mount winch for my front mounts?
I found a website where they take your winch and cut it down for "compitition". What is the purpose for that? How much weight does it take off. Are there specs for comp rigs limiting winch size?

any constructive input, possitive or negative will be appreciated.
 
You'll find people to trade all day long. The 8274 is a better winch under essentially every condition and will last far longer than any replacements you may end up with.

There was some discussion on Expedition Portal about building a light weight winch that was still useful.

Bottom line: Warn M8000, synthetic cable, aluminum hause fairlead. Got the weight into the 60 pound range-so about half or less of an 8274.
 
thanks guys...

Im waiting on log in approval to veiw that link. I'm not a member (yet)
 
thanks guys.. bjowett~ can you give me a hair more detail on electronic upgrades on the superwinch.. This way I can do a search on it. Does anyone know what the 8274-50 weighs with 100ft 3/8 wire on it? Thanks again~
 
The downfall of the X9 is the short motor (which they somehow still rate at 4hp) and only two solenoids. They all are easily overwhelmed during any moderate winching session. The rest of the winch is well built for the rating, and the gear box is way over built. Throw a good normal sized motor on there (or beyond) along with some HD solenoids or contactors and enjoy a real brute.

You can see a picture of the short and long motor armatures in my old Husky winch build....
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/15306-project-superwinch-husky-8-a.html
 
that warn looks sweet, but im definatly not going to be able to spend that much on the winch.. the 22pet and linked suspension is where the cash is going... as often as i winch, i my trade both 8274-50's for a sweet comp winch, or possibly just stash the warns and buy two cheap winched and upgrade internals in the future. I don't need crazy fast, slow is better than stuck all night, and as far as capacity, i can just incorporate a snatch block in my tree saver..
Thanks for the input guys
 
I agree bottom line Warn M8000. I have the 24volt M8000, it roughly gets used about 4-5 hours continuous a month. Yes it is a little slow but very reliable. I needed a lighter winch to mount to my ARB front bumper also it is lower for better rad cooling on my BJ 74.
Ps I also have a 24v 8274-50 still in box on stand by.
 
A little late to the party, I have been happy with my m8000, But would suggest you just keep one of your current winches. Two winches is overkill and heavy anyway you slice it.
 

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