Working on a Warn 8274 is as simple as it gets. To replace the old motor with the new more powerful 8274-50 motor, first unhook the winch from the battery. Mark and remove the power leads and ground from the winch motor, and loosen the giant hose clamps around the motor holding the solenoid pack on. Finally, remove the four bolts on the clutch knob cover.
Competitive off-roaders consistently choose one winch to ride along when they head out into the wild backcountry: the WARN M8274-50 Self Recovery Winch. It's got the speed, ruggedness and brawn that pros demand. Under no-load, your WARN M8274-50 Self Recovery Winch hauls in its line at up to 73.4-feet per minute. You'll appreciate the speed because of its extra-generous 150' wire rope. With that length, the WARN M8274-50 Self Recovery Winch is almost never out of range of a safe anchoring point. The unique design of the WARN M8274-50 Self Recovery Winch houses its rugged spur-gear drive train and smooth disc braking system. The shape also helps dissipate heat, so your winch runs cooler and longer. Your WARN M8274-50 Self Recovery Winch is driven by a powerful 4.6hp Series Wound motor, which you control at a safe distance with the 12' remote switch. A powder coat finish adds extra durability and corrosion resistance. Covered by a Lifetime Warranty.
I'd been wanting to get a winch on my '95 YJ for a while, but I didn't want to buy a low-end model, and I couldn't justify the cost of a high-end model for most of the wheeling I do. I checked the classified ads and eBay periodically, and eventually ran across an older, used Warn 8274 at a decent (but not killer) price. Warn has been making the 8274 since the late 1940's, so parts for these things are readily available. The 8274 is only rated for 8000 lbs, but it's the fastest winch on the market and it holds 150' of 5/16 cable. For years, the 8274 has been the winch against which all other winches are judged. I brought home my 8274 with an old CJ mounting plate, but without a cable, for US$570 ($75 of which was shipping).
In exchange for the cable + $30, the guy I bought the winch from threw in a Warn factory 8274 mounting plate. This plate was 27 wide, which was perfect for his Scout II and for Jeep CJ's, but it was about 6 too narrow to mount across the frame rails of a YJ. It was quite sturdy, though -- made of 1/4 steel with indents here and there for strength. Since a new 8274-to-YJ mounting plate costs about $170, I decided it was time my welder started paying its rent by modifying this old mounting plate to fit my YJ.
