Winch Advice Please

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In my opinion the winch that belongs on the FJ40 is the Warn 8274.

I disagree. Only one winch your not going to find on a Jeep, Scout or Bronco from that era. Just like the soft top. Not going to see any soft top like the factory soft that wouldn't be confused for one on a Jeep.
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Nothing saying there is any wrong with the 8274. Just prefer not being confused for Jeep as much as I can. The one thing the 8274 has the advantage is because they were so widely used on Jeeps their are much easier to come by. Now that the FJ40 have become popular not going to pick up a factory PTO winch for a couple of hundred dollars.
 
Does anyone in here know which alternator would be good for this type setup on an FJ40?

You have several choices, both Toyota and GM.

I put a 200-amp Mean Green (modified GM) alternator on mine; I like plenty of excess capacity for not only the possibility of long or multiple winch pulls, but also peace of mind for running ham radios, a refrigerator, GPS, air compressor, etc.


What is it rated at? How much will it pull?

As has been said, the 8274 is rated at 8,000 lbs. pull but is easily modifiable to be much more powerful. Mine has pulled some nearly unbelievably heavy stuff out of ditches. I had to anchor the rear of my 40 when pulling big stuff out because the stuff I was pulling vastly outweighed my 40.


Also, how much does it weigh?

A lot. A little less if you run synthetic line instead of wire rope.


And last but not least, how high does it stick up?

Pretty high, depending on how you mount it.

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To your second question: Synthetic winch cable is stronger, much lighter, and much safer than steel cable. However, it's inadvisable to install it on a winch that has had steel cable on it unless you clean up the drum very carefully, and also install a new fairlead. This is because steel cable chews up the drum and fairlead, and the resultant roughness or indeed spurs and barbs will quickly abrade a steel cable.

To your second question: As many have said, first you need to decide if you really need a winch. Will you travel solo a lot of the time, and into areas where getting stuck is a real possibility? You'd be surprised what you can get out of by simply airing down your tires, or, failing that, with a shovel, a set of Maxtrax, and patience. If you do want/need one, the 8274 is a superb choice, but expensive, even used. Synthetic line will cut its weight by at least a third if not more. The 8274 (and your Bellevue) has very strong spur gears; most modern winches use planetary gears which rotate inside each other, thus the name. Perfectly adequate and much more affordable than the 8274. but the 8274 really is ideal for the 40.
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As has been said, the 8274 is rated at 8,000 lbs.
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8,000# is the simple answer but not really that simple. That rating is the first wrap on the spool. Each wrap that rating goes down. Using a pulley at the anchor point not only reduce the weight of the pull by half it also moves the wrap closer to the spool. Down side is it takes longer time to do the job. Do not believe a winch motor is rated continuous duty. Longer the pull the more heat generated in the motor. Without constant voltage like the engine is dead or alternator can't keep up it generates more heat with the voltage drop. A PTO running off the engine is continuous duty. Rate of the cable being drawn in is based on engine RPM and gear the transmission is in. To do an electric winch right you need two large batteries designed for deep discharge. High amp output alternator and heavy wiring. But if just want a winch with no plans your really going to need probably okay with just adding a 8274.
Two cautions on PTO winches.
1. Always be sure the PTO is in neutral when not in use. Best disengage the spool as well. Be sure the rubber pad rest against the spool is tight.
2. To beside side the vehicle when operating have a sure way to kill the engine with a controller you have in hand. Doubt want to get tangled up in the cable and no way to stop the winch.

There was one case of a Harbor Freight winch destroying itself. They sell a radio controller that replaces the wired one. Person left the receiver plugged in to the winch. Had the remote in the center console and had something piled on it that pushed the cable button.
 
You have several choices, both Toyota and GM.

I put a 200-amp Mean Green (modified GM) alternator on mine; I like plenty of excess capacity for not only the possibility of long or multiple winch pulls, but also peace of mind for running ham radios, a refrigerator, GPS, air compressor, etc.




As has been said, the 8274 is rated at 8,000 lbs. pull but is easily modifiable to be much more powerful. Mine has pulled some nearly unbelievably heavy stuff out of ditches. I had to anchor the rear of my 40 when pulling big stuff out because the stuff I was pulling vastly outweighed my 40.




A lot. A little less if you run synthetic line instead of wire rope.




Pretty high, depending on how you mount it.

View attachment 3664435

Thank you, and GREAT pics! Beautiful background in that last one. I see your plate is from Texas. I was born and raised there, and still have a little place back there. Where are you from?
 
To your second question: Synthetic winch cable is stronger, much lighter, and much safer than steel cable. However, it's inadvisable to install it on a winch that has had steel cable on it unless you clean up the drum very carefully, and also install a new fairlead. This is because steel cable chews up the drum and fairlead, and the resultant roughness or indeed spurs and barbs will quickly abrade a steel cable.

To your second question: As many have said, first you need to decide if you really need a winch. Will you travel solo a lot of the time, and into areas where getting stuck is a real possibility? You'd be surprised what you can get out of by simply airing down your tires, or, failing that, with a shovel, a set of Maxtrax, and patience. If you do want/need one, the 8274 is a superb choice, but expensive, even used. Synthetic line will cut its weight by at least a third if not more. The 8274 (and your Bellevue) has very strong spur gears; most modern winches use planetary gears which rotate inside each other, thus the name. Perfectly adequate and much more affordable than the 8274. but the 8274 really is ideal for the 40.
View attachment 3664457

Thank you.

On 1 hand I think just get a newer winch with synthetic rope that may (hopefully) weigh a lot less that this Bellevue, and on the other hand I think if they test the Bellevue and it works, use it until it dies. Hmmm.....
 
If you are actually going to use your rig in terrain and conditions that call for what a land cruiser is, then you absolutely want a winch. So far this year, I have only taken any of my rigs out on the trails as a way to reach place where my hike starts. Even so, I have used my winch at least once on every outing.

The exception to this is if you always run with other rigs who are winch equipped. (sometimes a snatch strap is just not the right tool and a winch is called for). Even then it is always smoother and more convienient if everyone has a winch. Sometimes recovering yourself is a much better option than someone else pulling your out. And being able to return the favor is always good too. ;)

Mark...
 
If you are actually going to use your rig in terrain and conditions that call for what a land cruiser is, then you absolutely want a winch. So far this year, I have only taken any of my rigs out on the trails as a way to reach place where my hike starts. Even so, I have used my winch at least once on every outing.

The exception to this is if you always run with other rigs who are winch equipped. (sometimes a snatch strap is just not the right tool and a winch is called for). Even then it is always smoother and more convienient if everyone has a winch. Sometimes recovering yourself is a much better option than someone else pulling your out. And being able to return the favor is always good too. ;)

Mark...

Good points. If we ever get snow here, then something has gone WAY wrong with the planet. However, just in the 3 years we have been here there have been multiple storms and flooding (including a hurricane) in which I could have helped pull someone out of the water and when traffic was having to turn around and back track due to a tree across the road that if I had a winch I could have pulled it out of the road. They are calling for a bad season this year with 17-25 named storms, with 8-13 becoming hurricanes this season (last I heard) and some to hit Florida. So... a winch might not be a bad thing. And there are a TON of Jeeps down here, and I know there are several clubs that go on some trails and have weekend gatherings and some off-roading. I would find great pleasure in my little FJ40 pulling some Jeeps out when they get stuck. LOL! Even growing up in East Texas, as teenagers someone was always getting stuck in the mud, and the 1 guy that had a winch was always the hero!
 
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I disagree. Only one winch your not going to find on a Jeep, Scout or Bronco from that era. Just like the soft top. Not going to see any soft top like the factory soft that wouldn't be confused for one on a Jeep.
View attachment 3664304
Nothing saying there is any wrong with the 8274. Just prefer not being confused for Jeep as much as I can. The one thing the 8274 has the advantage is because they were so widely used on Jeeps their are much easier to come by. Now that the FJ40 have become popular not going to pick up a factory PTO winch for a couple of hundred dollars.

Mine was "supposed" to have the PTO setup AND PTO winch, but unfortunately did not have either one. And, the drivetrain I bought came with the mechanical Overdrive unit, which if I understand all you guys correctly, mounts to the same place on the transmission that the PTO system would. So, the only way I'm going to be able to run both the Overdrive AND a winch is to go with an electric winch. Now, that said, if it turns out I don't like the OD unit and/or it doesn't help street driving as much as I hope it will, then I'll probably sell it and find a PTO system and OEM PTO winch.
 
If you want to restore the Belleview winch you might want to purchase another for spare parts. I regularly see them for sale for $200+ on FB marketplace. There are several threads on here about rebuilding them. Be aware of their reduced pulling capacity (6k lbs).

I regularly see Warn 8274 for sale for $700+ on FB marketplace (sometimes less). I think you’ll find it’s one of the best investments you can make on a 40 that’s going to be used as designed. If it’s just a Mall Crawler/Cars and Coffee truck then you could go without one unless you just want to flex?

The $700+ would be easily recouped depending on a tow cost. Plus it allows you to help others as well. I would look at a Warn Winch accessory kit and then put one together yourself.

PTO winches do have their place….however if your vehicle won’t start they are useless.
 
I see your plate is from Texas. I was born and raised there, and still have a little place back there. Where are you from?

We've lived in Texas since 1981; first in Midland, then a suburb of Fort Worth, and for the last 21 years out in rural Parker County. Weatherford is the county seat but we live 10+ miles from any town.
 
If you want to restore the Belleview winch you might want to purchase another for spare parts. I regularly see them for sale for $200+ on FB marketplace. There are several threads on here about rebuilding them. Be aware of their reduced pulling capacity (6k lbs).

I regularly see Warn 8274 for sale for $700+ on FB marketplace (sometimes less). I think you’ll find it’s one of the best investments you can make on a 40 that’s going to be used as designed. If it’s just a Mall Crawler/Cars and Coffee truck then you could go without one unless you just want to flex?

The $700+ would be easily recouped depending on a tow cost. Plus it allows you to help others as well. I would look at a Warn Winch accessory kit and then put one together yourself.

PTO winches do have their place….however if your vehicle won’t start they are useless.

Thank you. Is there a good Warn winch, different model than the 8274, what would work well but not have as high of a profile? It may sound funny, but after I'm done getting this paint job and front looking good I don't want a winch that sits so tall it blocks the white headlight bezel and/or the lettering TOYOTA in the grille.
 
Thank you. Is there a good Warn winch, different model than the 8274, what would work well but not have as high of a profile? It may sound funny, but after I'm done getting this paint job and front looking good I don't want a winch that sits so tall it blocks the white headlight bezel and/or the lettering TOYOTA in the grille.

Yes there’s multiple low profile Warn winches. You’d just have to hop on their website and determine what you want to spend and need/want capacity wise. Then either purchase new or find a good used model.

However there’s also multiple lower profile 8274 mounts/bumpers. I honestly think it’s hard to beat the styling, reliability, capacity and line speed in one winch like a 8274. Which is why (in my humble opinion) you see them as the most popular winch on the front of a 40 series and dare I say many other brands. It’s been continuously produced since 1974 with only minor tweaks and upgraded electronics that alone says a lot.

Pics borrowed from MUD.

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Yes there’s multiple low profile Warn winches. You’d just have to hop on their website and determine what you want to spend and need/want capacity wise. Then either purchase new or find a good used model.

However there’s also multiple lower profile 8274 mounts/bumpers. I honestly think it’s hard to beat the styling, reliability, capacity and line speed in one winch like a 8274. Which is why (in my humble opinion) you see them as the most popular winch on the front of a 40 series and dare I say many other brands. It’s been continuously produced since 1974 with only minor tweaks and upgraded electronics that alone says a lot.

Pics borrowed from MUD.

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Here's the bumper I'm going to order, but again, silly as it may sound, I don't want a winch that sticks up above the headlight bezel or TOYOTA on the grille.

 
I'd like a wider bumper to at least offer some protection to the tires, 3/8" is like 3 times the oem
 
If you want to restore the Belleview winch you might want to purchase another for spare parts. I regularly see them for sale for $200+ on FB marketplace. There are several threads on here about rebuilding them. Be aware of their reduced pulling capacity (6k lbs).

I regularly see Warn 8274 for sale for $700+ on FB marketplace (sometimes less). I think you’ll find it’s one of the best investments you can make on a 40 that’s going to be used as designed. If it’s just a Mall Crawler/Cars and Coffee truck then you could go without one unless you just want to flex?

The $700+ would be easily recouped depending on a tow cost. Plus it allows you to help others as well. I would look at a Warn Winch accessory kit and then put one together yourself.

PTO winches do have their place….however if your vehicle won’t start they are useless.


Actually, the 6000 lb was underrated. It was actually rated at 8000 lb. That is how warn purchased bellview, which, sent them souring with 8274.

WARN Belleview M8000 flier, circa 1972


The first WARN Belleview winches were called Model 6000, or M6000. But it was later discovered that the M6000 could actually pull 8,000 lbs., so the name was eventually changed to the M8000. As you know, we still offer a winch called the M6000 and M8000, although it's a modern, low-profile winch.

Spoken by Warn itself. I have one myself and can concur the power.



 
That Bellview would be a sweet winch if working. The warn 8274 has the most parts support and customization ( if desired).

unless you rebuild a 8274, your looking at around a grand for a descent used 8274. Which is the way I went.

the FJ40 will make any winch you put on your rig look good.
 

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