Warn M8274 - Worth it?

[smh1972]

I'm in Florida for a buddy's wedding, and came across this M8274 originally from Colorado locally - http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/pts/5071969169.html.
Shipping is not an issue since I can have this shipped through work on a pallet with one of our next transfers from Jacksonville to Dallas.

Anyone have any experience with rebuilting/refurbishing one of these? Yes, I searched the forum, and already have some links saved for reference if I pull the trigger on this one. Just wondering if it is worth it with the time and expense involved compared to buying a new one.

 

[txnight]

I rebuilt one of these a few years ago for my Dad and found parts easily accessible. Budget less than $100 for parts and a little paint and you have yourself a nice unit. That winch is probably 35 years old so you might want to think about new cable as well. Buying 150 ft of cable can get pricey.

All of that to say that if it was my money I would buy a smittybilt 10k with the synthetic rope and wireless remote. You can find them on amazon for less that $600. I plug mine in a two inch receiver as necessary and leave it in the garage the rest of the time. Don't want it to get stolen while I'm mall crawling.

Bill D.

 

[1911]

Anyone have any experience with rebuilting/refurbishing one of these? Yes, I searched the forum, and already have some links saved for reference if I pull the trigger on this one. Just wondering if it is worth it with the time and expense involved compared to buying a new one.

I bought a 37-year-old 8274 from Craiglist and rebuilt it; they are a simple yet sturdy mechanical design and it was easy to rebuild with ordinary tools and the threads here on Mud. A great winch, and the pulling power is underrated at 8,000 lbs. IMO. Since a new one goes for $1,800, yes it is worth the time and expense to rebuild an older one. Parts readily available from Warn distributors.

As purchased, for $300 (IIRC):



Finished rebuild/installation:

 

[mmw68]

I just refurbished my second 8274, it was also a $300 Craigslist find.

Here is some good reading on the subject:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/i-scored-an-8274.199469/

 

[Clutchee]

Best winch for $$$

Have picked up couple for cheap & installed on my rigs!

Only thing I have worked on was replacing clutch mechanism- but was easy repair.

Things will pull house down…. Or lift truck- trust me I know!

 

[SeaDrifter]

Purdy sexy

 

[smh1972]

Thanks for all of the replies. I ended up not picking this up since the price was non-negotiable, and the Jeep guy would rather hoard it away in one of his two garages at his apartment complex for another 10 years instead of it getting refurbished and used. The search continues .........