Warn Rebuild....is It Possible?

So I'm not ready yet but I am keeping my eye out for a Warn winch to mount once the jeep is back together. I have been wondering whether the Warn winches can be rebuilt and if so what level of competence is needed. I'm about a tear-down-the-engine-and-replace-the-head-and-other-parts technical level but not prepared to do anything requiring me to measure stuff in the tight tolerances or figure out electrical outputs yet.

Anyone ever rebuilt one of these or am I just better off to save up for a new one?

 

Yes , most can be rebuilt.........and most parts are just bolt on.

 

yeah, pretty easy. I rebuild my $150 8274 in an afternoon. most parts are available.

 

With all the cheap imports killing the resale value of old winches, it is common now to find nice winches really cheap. I have seen several 8274 in working condition for less then 300 in the last couple months.

 

This is great news! Thanks. Now off to find a rebuild parts supplier. Maybe Warn has some kits.

 

I think Herm the overdrive guy might be the only person around that still has some parts for the old winches.......

 

this is who I used. My winch needed a motor, and even that was reasonably priced considering the $$$ of a new 8274,
WARN Winch Parts | WARN Winch Replacement Parts | WARN Winch Parts for Solenoids & more

 

Other then new motors, there really are no parts available for older Belleview style Warn upright winches. 8274s still have support from Warn. Herm is trying to get some pieces re-popped but it is a slow boat from China-literally.

 

Last I checked, Warn still had a rebuild/service dept.

 

Not for the old Bellevue uprights.

 

That's correct.... Unless you know somebody... And my somebody quit a little over a month ago.

 

Share..............From Where?

 

One of the guys that worked in the rebuild shop at Warn. They don't officially do anything older than an 8274. So really, Daryl is correct. My original response was "in general" because the original post was "in general". Daryl was specific on his post mentioning the older Belleview's. I just happened to post under his post so it was assumed I was responding to his statement about the older winches, when in reality it was just a general response to the OP about Warn having a rebuild shop.

but to answer your question directly, I inquired with my friend about going through one of the older ones for my 6 at one point. He said he could freshen one up if I picked one up. But as cool as the older ones are, I wanted the nicer features of an 8274. Never made either happen, but he did refresh the two 8274's I have on the flatty's.

 

Wow! So I checked out the Warn Winch Rebuild link above. Not going ot lie, there are way too many options there for me. Where can I go to find out which winch would be best for a CJ5? Any that I should avoid?

 

Classic for a CJ-5 is the 8274. Any of them will work though. I'd run a minimum of an 8k winch.

 

8274 will be the same price now for a good used one as the cheap import crap that every 3rd one burns up on the first pull. it also is hands down the best electric winch ever made.

 

Wow good info here. I don't think I can get a warranty on one I rebuild unless I am willing to do the work. LOL Anyone have a picture of one mounted they care to show?

 

I just googled them and wow they are big. Do they impede the cooling since they have such a large surface area? Do people make some sort of quick disconnect system so they don't get stolen? just thinking out loud here since I am completely new to winches. Maybe there is a winch wiki thread. I'll look.

 

This is what I hope to do. Sweet!