To 8274 or not?

[lumberjacklloyd]

I have two 8274's that I have acquired for $700 total. One is an older 70's model with keyway pinion and other is 80's splined. Older model has a lot less use and I have enough parts between the two to build a nice winch, BUT....Should I?

The Savvy LJ picture came up yesterday in general discussion and I noticed they had a much smaller planetary style winch with a lot more open grill. I assume this is also much lighter by 20-30 lbs. I have a Mopar radiator, Mopar water pump, VERY clean cooling system, Hayden 2771 fan and have never had a single cooling issue no matter the temp or speed (stays to the left of 210). However, I do know that if I install the popular plastic grill inserts, my coolant temp goes noticeably higher at highway speeds (right of 210 by a full indicator width) due to the decrease in grill area.

I am in this situation because I know the 8274 reputation, but I am afraid I will get this winch mounted and wish I did something smaller for weight savings and allowing more air flow through the grill. Thoughts or recommendations?

 

[suicideking]

Go ahead and mount it. You're not going to block enough of the radiator to make a difference. The weight savings isn't enough to make a difference either.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

@Blackjack @mrblaine or any others. Bumping to the top for any other thoughtful feedback.

 

[mrblaine]

@Blackjack @mrblaine or any others. Bumping to the top for any other thoughtful feedback.

Unpopular opinion with the rednecks but I won't ever put an 8274 on a TJ.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

Unpopular opinion with the rednecks but I won't ever put an 8274 on a TJ.

Could you expand on why and what you see as a better fit?

 

[mrblaine]

Could you expand on why and what you see as a better fit?

Looks and anything but an 8274. Not saying you shouldn't, I just won't.

 

[tnjeepguy]

Cons: heavy, sticks out front some, mount can be expensive, used winch costs more (probably 500 more than a used 8 or 9.5k Warn)

Pros: heavy duty, looks retro, fast, longer line, many mods available

"Matter of taste" is an idiom meaning a choice or judgment is entirely subjective and depends on personal preference rather than any objective rule, fact, or universal standard. There is no "correct" or "incorrect" answer.

 

[jxv1247]

Mount it, you wont regret it

 

[jjvw]

Cons: heavy, sticks out front some, mount can be expensive, used winch costs more (probably 500 more than a used 8 or 9.5k Warn)

Pros: heavy duty, looks retro, fast, longer line, many mods available

"Matter of taste" is an idiom meaning a choice or judgment is entirely subjective and depends on personal preference rather than any objective rule, fact, or universal standard. There is no "correct" or "incorrect" answer.

The 8274 has long ago become associcated with those who gravitate towards acessorizing with the heavy, bulky, and conspicuous as a way of broadcasting a certain image.

 

[tnjeepguy]

The 8274 has long ago become associcated with those who gravitate towards acessorizing with the heavy, bulky, and conspicuous as a way of broadcasting a certain image.

Yes, many years ago when there were very few choices for a winch. The Warn 8274 was one of the best electric winches, if not the best.

(associated, accessorizing; for those spelling bee fans)

 

[jjvw]

Yes, many years ago when there were very few choices for a winch. The Warn 8274 was one of the best electric winches, if not the best.

It still has it's place. But for most, it exists in a place of conflated nostalgias for a romanticized past prior to the TJ.

 

[duffer]

It still has it's place. But for most, it exists in a place of conflated nostalgias for a romanticized past prior to the TJ.

It's still probably the best electric winch ever built. You can decrease the air flow restriction by switching to an Albright contactor and putting that under the hood. Weight wise, an 8274 and a Zeon are almost identical, 70-75 lbs with synthetic rope.

All that said, tough to mount an 8274 on a TJ and keep them low without modifying the front cross member. But there're perfect for an early CJ where you can easily sink them behind the bumper. I love the one I built for my CJ 3B.