Warn 8274 inspection/service

[thetoyotaman]

I purchased a used Warn 8274 I’m guessing is a 1980s vintage but not for certain. Winch was reported to be very well taken care of and I just picked up an ARB Commercial Bar to eventually install it on my 80 when the turtle build is brought back from the dead. Wanting to be sure about the winch and never having had one apart, are there parts I should inspect and how should it be serviced prior to install? Thanks in advance!

 

[jbcruising]

Do the rebuild kit, take it apart and clean it, oil it. There are a number of good guides out there if you search.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Thanks. Gathering some tips and links for my build thread.

Thread with good links:

A Rookie’s Warn 8274 Rebuild

Four Wheeler article:

Rebuilding the legendary Warn M8274 electric winch step by step

Pirate with testing info:

Warn 8274 rebuild

 

[flintknapper]

My WARN 8274 rebuild part 1.....

 

[Tools R Us]

If the plan includes running string, consider having the drum sandblasted and powder coated. Have taken them apart and the drum was very rusty, heavily pitted, the bottom layer of string crunchy from the rust. It looks to hold moisture much more than wire, and we don't get much rain, a solid coating is good preventative.

That winch is a good solid design, unless it has had water in it, most that I have worked on didn't need much. I would crack it open, do an inspection, see what, if anything it needs before ordering parts.

 

[1911]

My WARN 8274 rebuild part 1.....

Hard to do any better than @flintknapper 's thread; what I used to rebuild mine.

My only other observation/experience is that the solenoid buss bars and wire connections often become corroded with age and exposure to the air/elements (the solenoid/control box is not water tight), and the solenoids themselves go bad every now and then, usually at the worst possible time. So clean all that stuff up real good, and re-assemble with some dielectric grease, or better yet ditch all four solenoids and replace them with a single contactor.

 

[thetoyotaman]

How many people are using in cab winch controls?

Link to relabeling Toyota switches:

HOW TO: relabeling your switches

Ok so the relabeling of the switches has been discussed in all of about 4 threads and none of them were specifically about relabeling the switch. So I decided to go ahead and pull everything together and do a write up so people can see how its done. Thanks to CRUISERDAN and TRAILBUS for the...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Douglas S]

How many people are using in cab winch controls?

Link to relabeling Toyota switches:

HOW TO: relabeling your switches

Ok so the relabeling of the switches has been discussed in all of about 4 threads and none of them were specifically about relabeling the switch. So I decided to go ahead and pull everything together and do a write up so people can see how its done. Thanks to CRUISERDAN and TRAILBUS for the...

forum.ih8mud.com

My recommendation is to skip the in-cab controls and just go wireless. Keep the wired controller as a backup.

Unfortunately the current model warn remote won't work with the 8274 but I was able to make the older gen work with a small modification.

 

[White Stripe]

I upgraded mine to the Albright solid state solenoid. I also installed a aluminum solenoid box from crawlorado, but hes kinda flaky. @Awl_TEQ sells them too afaik and hes legit.

 

[thetoyotaman]

My recommendation is to skip the in-cab controls and just go wireless. Keep the wired controller as a backup.

Unfortunately the current model warn remote won't work with the 8274 but I was able to make the older gen work with a small modification.

Pretty sure the wired control is toast that came with my used 8274.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Mine was made 81, it looked really crusty when I got it. All I did was clean it, replace the leads, change the gear oil, installed synthetic,and repainted the control box and it has worked like a champ everytime. I think they are pretty bulletproof. I was going to do a full rebuild but testing showed that it worked great. I love the sound and speed of my 8274.

 

[Douglas S]

I upgraded mine to the Albright solid state solenoid. I also installed a aluminum solenoid box from crawlorado, but hes kinda flaky. @Awl_TEQ sells them too afaik and hes legit.

I have an Awl_TEQ cover, really nice product.

 

[flintknapper]

Mine was made 81, it looked really crusty when I got it. All I did was clean it, replace the leads, change the gear oil, installed synthetic,and repainted the control box and it has worked like a champ everytime. I think they are pretty bulletproof. I was going to do a full rebuild but testing showed that it worked great. I love the sound and speed of my 8274.

^^^^
Yep, there are reasons they are so revered. Tough and reliable.... chief among them. A truly iconic Winch.

 

[MontyFJ80]

I rebuilt a 8274 that I got cheap last year and also decided to upgrade the contactor. I found the Albright to be hard to find at the time due to overseas shipping so I bought a Temco one, turned out to be rated for slightly higher duty and a lot cheaper to my door. It seems to be less than $50 on amazon now Zon link
As far as the old switch not working just take it apart, its super simple, and probably a loose connection or broken wire. And if it is the switch its a pretty generic three position switch that shouldn't be hard to find for a couple bucks.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Ordered some replica stickers from @SMG. Also ordered some terminal covers as mine were missing.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Terminal covers arrived. They look really nice.

 

[woodsman 44]

Terminal covers arrived. They look really nice.View attachment 1923879

where did you get boots from?...what gauge wire will they take up to.....I want to use 2ga mabey 1ga wire from solinoid to motor

 

[thetoyotaman]

Security Measure

www.ebaystores.com

 

[thetoyotaman]

Stickers came today. They look great. Thanks @SMG !

 

[thetoyotaman]

Some switches came today that I’m planning on repurposing for in cab winch controls. Thanks @Deathvalleypaul !