Need help with choosing a winch

[Black Betty]

So I have two winches at my disposal here, and I'm not sure which route to go.  Both winches are in working order.  I have a warn 12,000, and an 8274 with a custom double width spool.

Buddy of mine suggested selling both and buying a warn 9000 to stuff into the front of my yj.

Other options would be mount either the 12,000 or 8274 to the front.  Normally I would say go 8274 all the way, but the thing is huge with the double width spool.

What would you guys do?

[AstraX]

Easy solution for you...Just leave them out on your front step tonight, I will swing by and take one.  Then you can just use the one I don't take.   

[Jrama]

 Only downside is that 8274 is ugly depends if you DD it, or whatnot.....if not put on the 12,000 I however would not waste money on a new one

[vantagetes]

Only downside is that 8274 is ugly

It is?



Looks pretty sharp to me. If you expect anything 20 years old (that isn't blonde) to look pretty without a little TLC you're crazy! A little time with a wire wheel or bead blaster and a fresh coat of paint later they shine right up.

[Vinman]

8274 with 300' synthetic rope gets my vote

[Black Betty]

Only downside is that 8274 is ugly depends if you DD it, or whatnot.....if not put on the 12,000 I however would not waste money on a new one

Function is my #1 priority, not cosmetics.  However I happen to like the look of a 8274 myself.  Just worried bout the whole double spool width.

300' of synthetic rope was an idea I had too, probably pretty pricey though.

[Jrama]

Well I don't think the 8274 is particularly good looking, but thats not the reason I called it ugly. The post  said it was akward with the huge spool i assumed the disadvantage here is that it just looked like crap and was akward. The obvious choice purely for functionality is the 8274, IMO your not going to out do it by enough to matter with a new 9000 lb winch unless you get quite spendy. Besides the bigger spool makes it even more functional
  

[cLAY]

Sell the 12K winch and buy a new standard width spool. It just pops right off. Modern used to have a bunch of used warn winch parts, maybe they have a regular spool. Either that or maybe try to trade spools with someone who wants a double width spool. Heck I'm half tempted! Just don't know what I would do with it!

[AV.NINE]

Theres a guy on kijiji that has a ton of 8274 parts as well.

[vantagetes]

Actually now that I think about it, modern can probably get you a brand new "normal" spool, I've already bought a ton of 8274 parts off of them. The 8274, 8274-50 and 8274-60 all interchange parts.

[BlackYJ]

8274 all the way.  Those winches are awesome and will never let you down.

[T-bomb]

The 8274 is a great unit.  the cool thing is you can still buy individual components if things break.  unlike buying entire assemblies.   I have one however and swear by it and I put a small block and three cored my rad on my cj and it will over heat some days because of the amount of air flow it blocks.  for the same size you can now buy a warn that double as a compressor.

[Black Betty]

I'm thinking the 8274 is the way to go too, wasn't sure if I could convert it back to a normal spool or not ( while still being cost effective)

[Hi Lo Silver]

I have a spare winch in the garage that needs other parts. I'll gladly swap you drums...I'm fine with ugly on my jeep.
Let me know.

[Black Betty]

I have a spare winch in the garage that needs other parts. I'll gladly swap you drums...I'm fine with ugly on my jeep.
Let me know.

Will do