I have my rig about built to my liking and I would like to get a winch I was wondering what the different opinions are on the warn series. I was considering the 8274 but would like to know that people think about the bigger winches ie. 12,000 and 15,000. Is this extreme overkill. My specs are listed below as to what I have. I would like something that may be used in competition but mostly on trail rides.
The reason that I am asking this is there are several nice winches in the used department on the board and on EBAY. This is my next budgeted purchase (if that is possible) for the rig. Winch Away!

8274, simple!

I took the HS9500i and it does well for my similar vehicle :D

I've had my eye on the Superwinch X9.
9k# @ < $750 usd.

Any thoughts on that one?

I agree with big dude, HS9500i. I love mine, hasnt failed me yet.

hard to beat a 8274, but they are pretty bulky.

HS9500i is phenomenal, I've put it through mutiple tough pulls (on others of course :D) ) back to back with no heat or fatigue issues... great buy.

I ran an 8274 for 7 yrs, competed, rode trails, pulled trees out- worked it hard.

I won a Ramsey bad boy in the the Ramsey Challenge series and after talking to the tech rep about what I had, I ran it for a yr. I worked it hard, real hard and it never flinched. it's smaller and lighter and let me bob another 3/4 inch of my front frame (Approach angle is now 90 or better).

The 8274 is fast- til you put a load on it, then it always seemed to get the job done but i literally had to listen for the brake to click to know if it was still pulling or not- often seemed on the edge of stalling.

The bad boy is a little slower than the 8274 with no load but light years faster under load and pulls right thru- quickly freeing you from your situation.

bottom line- I sold my 8274.

Man Thanks for all the posts!

I Have wondered about the 8274. I have never really scene one put to the test. Here in Indiana we use mostly in mud holes or up steep hills. Not as many rocks. I guess I need something that can handle a large load at one time (like sucking my Jeep out of a hole). Although I dont really like the mud with my tires sticking out of the fenderwells. I will travel to the badlands and over into illinois and hopefully out west.

Also would a Warn 12000 be a good winch to run? Is there any line speed to it. I have one found that is relatively cheap.....

The line speed on the 12K will be slower than the 8274 or the HS9500's. My dad runs a 12K and I run a HS9500, both a great winches, but the HS9500 is lots faster spooling cable unloaded. The 12k is a little better for continous duty like skidding logs, the lower gears keep the motor from overheating as fast.

Originally posted by bigjeepinYJ
Also would a Warn 12000 be a good winch to run? Is there any line speed to it. I have one found that is relatively cheap.....

That's a lot of winch for a Jeep. :eek:
I really like my HS9500I, $800 + free shipping through e-bay

Yeah I know it is alot. Just found a cheap basically new one. I think that from what I am hearing through here though is that people like the HS9500I.

For the right price, I'd probably go for it.
Might find a guy with a new 9500I or 8274 on a fullsize down the road. Might be able to trade.

Haven't heard much about their electrics but the 8K# is selling for $450:eek:

8K is plenty, 9K is getting beyond what you need for a Jeep. I'm speaking from experience, not hearsay. I've had a Warn MX6085 6000 lb. winch on my Jeep for 16 years, used it more times than I can remember. Want to know how many times I've had to double line that 6K, twice I believe is it, and one of those times was successfully pulling a sunk overnight 3/4 ton Dodge out of the Gila River in SE AZ. Don't waste your money on too much winch, the 8274 or other 8K Warn is a fine choice, IMO.

Originally posted by landuseorc
8K is plenty, 9K is getting beyond what you need for a Jeep. I'm speaking from experience, not hearsay. I've had a Warn MX6085 6000 lb. winch on my Jeep for 16 years, used it more times than I can remember. Want to know how many times I've had to double line that 6K, twice I believe is it, and one of those times was successfully pulling a sunk overnight 3/4 ton Dodge out of the Gila River in SE AZ. Don't waste your money on too much winch, the 8274 or other 8K Warn is a fine choice, IMO. Finally a voice of reason