WARN winch - 8274 or 9.5cti?

AlexJet

Explorer
I was offered a winch which I'm going to put on my '74 FJ40.
Its a 1 day offer, so I'd need to make my mind by tonight.

Question for all of you guys with winches and/or knowledge experience: Which one to take?

Option 1: WARN 9.5cti
Brand new in the box $1299 + tax - discount = $1367 from my wallet.
125' 5/16 steel cable

Option 2: WARN 8274-50
Brand new in the box (Cash Sale) $1400 + shipping = $1520 from my pocket
150' 5/16 steel cable
No Warranty as its a cash sale

I know Warn are good winches and I have 9.5xp on my 4Runner. Should I worry about warranty with 8274? How long is the warranty from Warn, 1 year?

I like the style and looks of 8274. Its kind of retro as Cruiser is vs. sleek 9.5cti. It holds 25' more of cable, but I'll probably replace it with rope anyway at some point. But 9.5cti is backed with warranty and its $170 cheaper at the end (please note that prices are my local prices in Toronto, Canada, US are cheaper, but then shipping kills everything + I have to pay custom fees). 9.5cti is also lower in profile, so looks like more air comes to radiator, does it matter with FJ40?

What would be your choice if you have a choice like this? Please speak up as I'm kind of hard to make a decision.
 

Scott Brady

Founder
The 9.5 is a rock'in winch. It is what I run now.

The 8274 is super fast with no load and classic. It would look great on the FJ40
 

AlexJet

Explorer
That doesn't make any sense. What does paying cash have to do with warranty? Not to mention how are you paying cash if you have to have it shipped to you?


Paying cash means its a private sale. Warn only warranty original purchaser.
The guys who sells the 8274 is in another town.
 

AlexJet

Explorer
The 9.5 is a rock'in winch. It is what I run now.

The 8274 is super fast with no load and classic. It would look great on the FJ40

9.5cti will be nearly a foot faster (7.59 vs. 6.10) under 8'000 lbs pull and draw 370 vs. 450 Amps at it.
What is behind the lines with 8274? It cost nearly 1/3 more then 9.5cti which has better specs. There should be something...???
 

Nonimouse

Cynical old bastard
Speed is not an issue - it's simply not important unless you compete in winch challenges

Reliability is the big issue - as they are Warn you need to go for the one that breaks down the least, which would be the 8274. It's the easiest to maintain as well; is worth the most second hand and is very easy to upgrade/refine

If there is no warrantee for so much outlay why not buy a s/h unit, service it and put it on the vehicle
 

LR Max

Local Oaf
Check out Clemson 4 Wheel Drive. They are a Warn Winch distributor. A lot of the time they offer free shipping on their winches. That is how I got my Warn 12k within my budget.

Who knows, it might help you save some $$$ and keep said warranty.

As for winches, the 8274 will look fantastic on your FJ40. It is a classic design. Check on the brake mechanism. If memory serves, it is a good one. Also on line speed, seems like everyone I've talked to who has used their "budget" winch with a slow line speed is itching to pull it and put on a faster winch. Not saying there is anything wrong with a slower winch, just saying the trend is to replace them.
 

I Leak Oil

Expedition Leader
I don't think it's a tough decision. There are 8274's out there that are 30 years old or so and still going strong. Some variants are even older. Easy to rebuild if necessary, supposedly under rated in terms of pulling capacity, external brake, resale value, classic design on a classic truck. So what's the question?:elkgrin:
 

AlexJet

Explorer
I have Man-A-Fre bumper like this:

52100winch.jpg


I just have the previous version which does not have winch line hole in it (planetary style mount)
http://man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/4+plusFrontBullBar40and55series.htm
I hope I can modify it for 8274...
 
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Stumpalump

Expedition Leader
Speed is not an issue - it's simply not important unless you compete in winch challenges

Reliability is the big issue - as they are Warn you need to go for the one that breaks down the least, which would be the 8274. It's the easiest to maintain as well; is worth the most second hand and is very easy to upgrade/refine

If there is no warrantee for so much outlay why not buy a s/h unit, service it and put it on the vehicle

Speed is one of the most important things when "helping" the winch with the vehicle in gear so you don't your run over the cable or get slack and then slip back. Not running over the cable or developing slack is very important on hill climbs where you will need some momentem imediatly after the stuck spot to continue the climb. A winch should be able to keep up with the climb or crawl of the vehicle. Stopping on a bad hill to wait on the winch is not good. A slip backward with slack can break things or put the vehicle in a worse situation. A slow winch is also painfully slow to use and then respool when done. This leaves doubt on when to pull out the cable and use so the" hold my beer and let me try one more time" is more common with slow winches. The expensive ones are fast for some good reasons.
 

Nonimouse

Cynical old bastard
No it's not!

Drive assisting is the very last thing you do and only as a last resort - that's why a slower, lower geared winch is better (unless of course it's for comeptition where you break all the rules)

Also 'expensive' winches are not the always the fast ones - far from it.
 

Antichrist

Expedition Leader
The rule used to be, "No drive assist except as a last resort". For some reason, in the last decade or so, it's become almost just the opposite. Even to the point where some winch manufacturers say to do it in the owners manual.
I find it very annoying to have people standing around screaming "PUT IT IN GEAR!!" when I'm winching.
I guess patience is a dying virtue.
 

Nonimouse

Cynical old bastard
Tom, it's still the rule! To promote drive assist is to enhance breakages and to invite accident.

I strongly believe that the trend in drive assist (that has been exaserbated (sp?) by one or two very foolish advertising departments) comes purely from the high profile on international winch competitions which creates a 'let's emulate our hero's, then we will be like them' culture

Within the City & Guilds competance structure (a standard level recognised by most of the world) it is an instant failure to drive assist due to it's inherant safety issues
 

1911

Expedition Leader
I was offered a winch which I'm going to put on my '74 FJ40.
Its a 1 day offer, so I'd need to make my mind by tonight.

Question for all of you guys with winches and/or knowledge experience: Which one to take?

Responded to your same thread on IH8MUD.
 

bfdiesel

Explorer
Tom, it's still the rule! To promote drive assist is to enhance breakages and to invite accident.

I strongly believe that the trend in drive assist (that has been exaserbated (sp?) by one or two very foolish advertising departments) comes purely from the high profile on international winch competitions which creates a 'let's emulate our hero's, then we will be like them' culture

Within the City & Guilds competance structure (a standard level recognised by most of the world) it is an instant failure to drive assist due to it's inherant safety issues

Not that it is right, but drive assisting is how I was taught growing up. Taught to use the winch to get you moving and then drive out, this lesson of course followed the don't get stuck, but it happens lesson.

I like the 8274, and the first time you pick it up you will know why people say they are under rated they are heavy and have a lot of steel in them making them hard to break even when overloaded.
I have a had both a 8274, which I liked the looks of and the heavy solid feel, and a xd9000i which is much lighter, pulls a little harder, and has been very reliable. I had to change the solenoids out in the 8274 a couple of times is why I (my opinion) feel more comfortable with my xd9000i. I also like having my winch mounted in a cradle so it can be more versatile making weight more of a concern.
 
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