warn m8000 UpGrayDD's

I just picked up a used warn m8000 24v winch for dirt cheap.

Been searching through the ih8mud forums with only a few relevant leads, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if the warn 9.5xp motor will fit and function? As this model is a 24v one, I need to replace the motor anyway, and will be replacing the solenoids with a contactor box. The price difference between an m8000 12v motor and a 9.5xp is negligible, and between the lower gear ratio of the m8 to the 9.5, I'd expect this puts the winch into the 10k+ range, as well as just having a generally faster pull than you'd see from the m8.

The 9.5xp motor is a well documented upgrade for the 8274 series winches (which I also have, so I could still eventually use it on mine) but while I did see one poster on ih8mud say the 9.5xp will bolt up to the m8 side plate, they didn't state if if there was a difference in the shaft/spline count between the two.

Will also be replacing the steel cable with synthetic line for weight savings. But that will be after I get the winch gearbox rebuilt and everything checled out prior to install.

Thanks for any pointers/leads/info.

 

Searching ih8mud, I'm seeing references to a bow motor equivalent of the warn 9.5xp motor p/n 68608, with the db electrical part number 430-20073, here

https://www.dbelectrical.com/produc...ouble-ball-bearing-6hp.html#applications-list

But with mixed impressions across the board replies. Some saying they basically don't work out of the box, others saying there's no real issues. Seems to be a bit of a crapshoot based on that. I may order one to see if it is capable of bolting up to the m8000 side plate and if the shaft/splines match the 24v warn motor.

 

Alright, ordered a 9.5xps motor and control box/wiring. When it arrives I'll be able to post some pics comparing how it mounts up and the size/# of splines with the 24v m8000 motor.

The m8000 has a 216:1 gear ratio, whereas the 9.5xp has a 156:1 ratio. Comparing the two, it's just over a 28% ratio difference. Warn states the M8 will pull 435A under a full 8k load, while the 9.5xp is stated to pull 413A at the same load. However with that difference in gear ratio, 8k load with the 9.5xp motor should be more equivelent tl a 6k load on the 9.5xp, which warn rates the bigger winch as pulling just over 300A. Much easier on the battery and charging system.

I'm looking over circuit breakers in light of this napkin math. Should be able to use a lower rated circuit breaker. I'm not going to skimp on wiring size, as that could potentially, literally, be playing with fire, but the napkin math translates to reduced load on the vehicle even under a full weight (m8k rating) pull.

 

Or under the first heavy pull the motor breaks the gearbox. 50/50.

 

I'm guessing it's not a direct fit because 1) you never see it done and 2) 8274 compatible motors (9.5xp being one) specifically state they don't fit Warn 9.5Ti, 9.5CTi, or HS9500.

I also decided to forgo the Warn 9.5xp motor and went with the Bow Motor 2 for my recent 8274 build because it's such a better value and fit, imo.

If you find a good upgrade for the M8000 I'm interested because I have one I wouldn't mind hotrodding a bit. Let us know how this goes.

 

8274's get a lot of love, it seems because they are pretty easy to mod, and beefy enough to take some serious upgrades, even before dragging them through the red winch/gigglepin catalog. That and the greater rope capacity. It's been a while since I was looking at ways to upgrade my 8274 (which is still in pieces).

I'm not 100% sure if the 9.5xp motor will prove to be compatible. I haven't found a spline count/shaft diameter/length written up anywhere, so that will be the first major hurdle. I will document the relevant info here for others to find for future reference one way or the other.

Winch mods are already a niche thing. I think the 8274's still see so much of that because 1- theyre relatively cheap used (I paid $200 for mine, which was a steal, but regularly see them in various conditions between $400 and $800), 2- they pull fast even under load, so winch comp's like them, 3- it's very straightforward to increase their capability beyond their rated capacity (bigger motor, multi-motor, chop and decrease the drum diameter, different aftermarket gear ratios).

With the flood of cheap chinese winches, it's more tempting to buy a harbor freight/Amazon-rebrand-special "12/13/14/15k" winch for half the price, and some sort of replscement guarantee/warranty if and when it breaks. Especially when most (mine included) won't see frequent use or heavy pulls.

All told, assuming everything bolts up together and functions, I'm really only saving maybe $300 on buying a new in box m8-S, which is about the same cost as buying a new vr10/12s. But the tradeoff is I get to cobble something together myself, share some info with others, and maybe end up with something that at the top end is more capable than an 8/10k winch, but should also be easier on my battery and alternator at its original 8k rated pull.

At worst I'm one part closer to finally rebulding my 8274. I'll just need something to mount it on at that point.

 

Update: got my 9.5xp motor, contactor and controller in, as well as some moly grease for the gearbox. Gears are in good shape, light to medoum surface rust on all the mating surfaces between thw two support plates and the drum. Snapped one allen bolt head off while attempting to remove the cross braces. Will have to order another.

The 9.5xp motor shaft is the same diameter and spline count, and the intermediate piece that mates up to the brake assembly fits perfectly. However, the motor does not seat to the side plate.

Looking at the parts diagrams, it appears the drums, brake assembly, drive assembly are the same/shared. So inwill order a 9.5xp side plate and two cross bars, and I think we'll good to go for everything to bolt up together.

 

Pics showing the gap.

The motor bolts up exactly the same way as the m8000 motor, even the hardware is the same size/threads. Just the side plate appears to be different.

So now I'll be close to the cost of a nib m8000s, but stronger pull. Will update when the next parts order comes in.

 

Got the gearbox disassembled, partially cleaned out the old grease with the parts washer at work (about 80% done, had to leave sooner than expected, others wanted to close up shop for the day). No pics, but I would say it was the original grease. Everything looked good, the grease was just mostly dried up and chunky. Cleaned the rest of it out at home with alcohol and a drain pan. Gear teeth and everything is in great shape. I neglected to order the gasket for the two halves of the gearbox housing, so I will need to order that as well. I regreased everything with shaeffers 238, a 5%moly fortified grease.

I actually meant to order aeroshell 33... i'm not sure how shaeffers ended up being shipped to me.

In fact, I still have a tube of aeroshell 33 in my Amazon basket. No idea why they shipped me shaeffers. Hmmm.

 

Can now confirm for anyone viewing, the 9.5xp motor and sideplate match up to the m8000 drum and gearbox.

 

I'm pretty dumb, because I put the largest planetary gearset in backwards twice in a row... and was confused as hell both times why the drum would not mate up.

Breakdown:
-warn m8000 24v winch
-warn 9 5xp motor (came with the seal for up against the side plate)
-warn 9.5xp winch side plate (came with gaskets for the drum on that side
-cross bars (snapped a stud off flush in the end of one while removing)
Warn m8000 gearbox gaskets (pair)
-tube of grease
-I also grabbed a 3/8" harbor freight synthetic line