The Best Off Road 4x4 Winch for Overlanding - The Warn M8000
The Warn M8000 winch (or M8 as it’s most recent successor is referred to) has been our go-to off road vehicle winch for over a decade. The M8000 winch is versatile, relatively budget-friendly, and its 8000lb capacity is well suited for a wide variety of the most popular mid-size trucks and SUVs.
In this post we’re going to cover, in detail, the variations of the Warn M8000 winch and how to choose one that’s right for your needs, as well as how to install, maintain, repair, and use your Warn M8000 winch.
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Variations of the Warn M8000 Winch
The Warn M8000 winch has been around now for more than three decades, and was initially released as the entry-level of their first M-series winches. Over the years, however, Warn has begun offering a multitude of variations on their workhorse 8000lb winch:
Warn M8000 and M8000-S Winch
The original M8000 (PN 20910) winch included a series wound, 12V 4.8 HP winch motor, solenoid-based winch control pack, 100ft of 5/16” steel wire rope, a roller fairlead, and wired controller for operation of the winch. Later, the M8000-S (PN 87800) was released which swapped the steel cable and roller fairlead for their “Spydura” synthetic winch rope and a hawse fairlead.
Warn M8 and M8-S
The M8 (PN 26502) and M8-S (PN 87800) are the recently upgraded respective replacements for the older M8000 and M8000-S winches. For all intents and purposes the M8 and M8-S retain the same made-in-the-USA build quality and specs, but with a newer and more robust contactor-based winch control pack that replaces the old solenoid-based control pack that’s been used in most electric winches since the middle of the last century.
Warn VR Evo 8 and VR Evo 8-S
Due to the incredible popularity of the M8000 winch’s combination of quality and low-cost, many competitors began offering knock-offs of the M8000 using overseas manufactured lower-quality materials and components at even lower price-points.
The VR Evo 8 (PN 103250) and VR Evo 8-s (PN 103251) are Warn’s effort to combat this by offering their own overseas manufactured variant of the M8000 that could still meet the needs of budget-conscious off-roaders while allowing them to keep the quality of the finished product in line with their reputation. Plus it has IP-68 rated waterproofing.
Warn Zeon 8 and Zeon 8-s
On the other end of the spectrum is Warn’s high-end 8000lb winch, the Zeon 8. The Zeon 8 (PN8890) and it’s synthetic line version the Zeon 8-s (PN 96800), are a total redesign from the M8000, and not only aesthetically.
The winch includes an IP-68 water resistance rating helping it fair better when subjected to water crossings, a larger diameter aluminum drum to dissipate heat more efficiently which can help synthetic winch lines last longer, and it boasts a faster 35ft/min (no-load) and 6.2ft/min (loaded) line speed. Similarly to the M8000, it is manufactured in the USA. Though these high-end features also come at a higher price point.
Warn M8000 Capabilities & Specs
Capacity
The standard rule-of-thumb for selecting a properly rated vehicle winch is to determine your fully-laden Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and multiply by 1.5. This means that the M8000’s 8000lb winching capacity is suitable for any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight under 5300lbs.
In the U.S. most compact and mid-size SUVs weigh in less than 5000lbs and most mid-size trucks average approximately 4000lbs, making the M8000’s capacity perfect for a wide variety of Budget Overland Vehicles and most modern Jeeps and Toyota Tacomas.
Speed
With one wrap on the drum and no load, the Warn M8000 is stated to have a line speed of 30.2 feet/minute, and with a full load (8000 lbs) and one wrap on the drum its line speed is 4.8 feet/minute.
Power Draw
Warn states that the M8000 (and M8) has a max power draw of 435 amps at 8000lbs. However, while there can be a high-amp spike at start-up, under the great majority of use cases we’ve encountered the average power draw falls between 100 and 200 amps.
Size
The M8000 (and newer M8) retains the same classic dimensions, outlined in the below diagram (inches/millimeters), with a standard 10”x4.5” mounting bolt pattern:
Choosing Between Synthetic and Steel Winch Line for Your M8000 Winch
There is no right or wrong choice between a steel cable (wire rope) M8000 winch or a synthetic winch line equipped M8000-s winch. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately boils down to personal preference, budget, and use-case:
Steel Winch Line
This is the traditional industry standard constructed of braided aircraft-grade steel cable
Pros:
Less expensive
Highly abrasion resistant - making it great for mud, sand, and rocky terrain
Requires less maintenance
Not impacted by UV Exposure
Cons:
Heavy
Can kink creating weak points
Can rust and develop sharp burrs as it wears and is exposed to moisture
Stores more kinetic energy, which makes it substantially more dangerous if a break occurs during a recovery
Can’t be repaired in the field if a break occurs
Synthetic “Rope” Winch Line
This is typically made of very specialized hi-tech stranded polyethylene similar to marine rope
Pros:
Light-weight (between the line and fairlead you’ll be looking at close to a 24lb weight savings)
Higher Breaking Strength (Warn’s M8000 Spydura synthetic line is listed at 14,400lbs vs the 9,800lb of the steel M8000 winch line)
Stores less kinetic energy, making it less dangerous if breakage does occur during a recovery
Doesn’t kink and is easier to spool onto the winch drum
Can be spliced and repaired in the field in the event of a break (we carry a Factor 55 Fast FID* for in-field repairs)
It Floats - which is handy for vehicle recoveries in water crossings or mud
Cons:
More expensive
Less abrasion resistant
More susceptible to UV exposure degradation, chemicals, and heat
Requires frequent maintenance and cleaning
Can retain water making it susceptible to freezing on the winch drum in cold weather
We found that you could actually purchase a steel cable equipped M8000 (M8) and convert it to a synthetic line for about the same cost as a M8000-S (M8-S). This allows you to have the steel cable and roller fairlead as a backup/alternative, and the option to have the best of both worlds!
How to Convert a M8000 Winch to Synthetic Winch Line
What You’ll Need:
Steps to convert your M8000 to synthetic line:
Unspool the steel line off the drum
Remove the retaining bolt securing the line to the drum
Ensure that the drum is smooth and free of defects, cuts, or burrs (you can smooth these imperfections out with fine-grit sandpaper)
Remove the roller fairlead, replacing it with the new hawse fairlead
Install the synthetic winch line into the drum (using provided hardware)
Feed the other end of the new synthetic winch line through the fairlead
Carefully respool the new synthetic line onto the winch drum (under load)
Repairing Your Warn M8000 Winch [Replacement Parts]
Replacement Warn Winch Motor* (PN 77893) - This motor is compatible with the M8000, M8000-s, M8, and M8-s. Replacing the motor is a relatively easy procedure, and on our last truck we were able to swap the motor on our M8000 in under an hour.
Contactor Pack Upgrade Kit* - If your control pack needs to be replaced, we highly recommend converting your older M8000 from a solenoid control pack to the modern contactor pack controller that is more durable and water resistant.
Replacement Solenoid for M8000 & M8000-S* (PN 72631) - The older solenoid-based control pack has a total of 4 solenoids. If you’re just looking to swap out the bad solenoids and keep on winching, this will do the trick (and it’s usually a good idea to carry a spare with you on your off road adventures too).
Even the Warn Gear End Drum Support* (PN 25986), Warn Motor End Drum Support* (PN 25985), and Aluminum Tie Rods* (PN 98279) can be sourced if damaged so you can keep your M8000 winch running for decades to come.
How to Maintain Your Warn M8000 Winch
The M8000 (and M8) are not waterproof and over thousands of miles of on and off road use, weather and general wear and tear from use can take its toll. So it’s good to keep your M8000 winch in tip-top shape with some routine maintenance.
Protect Electrical Connections - Keep the electrical terminals on the winch motor coated with either dielectric grease* or Fluid Film* to add water resistance and keep corrosion at bay.
Clean & Grease Your Winch - Heavy routine exposure to mud, silt, and especially salt can wreak havoc on your winch, so it’s important to disassemble and clean the internal components of your winch and use quality water-resistant moly grease* on the greasable internal components before reassembly.
Dry it Out After a Water Crossing - If you do submerge your M8000 winch during a water crossing, run the winch on freespool to allow the motor’s heat to help dry out the winch components.
Inspect and Clean Your Winch Line - steel cable is relatively maintenance free, but should be inspected after each use for kinks or broken strands. If your M8000 is equipped with synthetic line the line should be cleaned regularly in a bucket of warm water and Woolite (or other mild detergent). You can open the strands of the synthetic rope by grabbing the line with both hands (4 to 6 inches at a time between them) and pushing your hands together which allows the strands to open up and debris to be released; then continue this process the length of the line working in 4 to 6 inch sections while checking for damage as well.
Warn M8000 (M8) Upgrades and Accessories
There are a variety of accessories available for the M8000 that improve both its ease of use and safety.
Wireless Winch Remote* (PN 90287) - Control your M8000 or M8 winch at a safe distance, up to 50ft away. We personally prefer this to the Warn HUB app, and though we’ve used ours for years on the same battery - it’s a good idea to carry a spare remote battery in your vehicle.
Wireless HUB Receiver* (PN 103945) - Enables you to control your contactor based M8000 or M8 winch from your phone from up to 100ft away using Warn’s free HUB wireless app.
M8000 Winch Cover* - The new Warn Stealth Cover is fade proof and allows you to access the winch drum, clutch handle, and remote socket while keeping your Warn M8000 winch protected from the elements.
50ft Spydura Synthetic Winch Rope Extension* - Sometimes a suitable anchor point is a LONG ways away; that’s when it’s nice to have a quality winch line extension for your Warn M8000 winch.
Warn Epic 1.5” Hawse Fairlead* - If you’re converting your Warn M8000 to synthetic winch line you’ll need to replace the roller fairlead with a hawes style fairlead, and Warn’s thicker 1.5” Epic hawse fairlead is a good upgrade that places less stress on the synthetic rope fibers during angular pulls. This will increase the life of your synthetic winch line.
Recovery Hook Upgrades for the Warn M8000 (M8)
While the standard hook that comes with the M8000 will work, it’s an open-system style connection and the simple spring-loaded sheet metal safety latch is prone to bending or breaking. This can create an unsecure connection, especially in instances where the line is slack during a recovery. It’s for this reason that a closed-system replacement is a good upgrade for the M8, M8000, or really any winch for that matter.
Factor 55 Ultrahook* - Made in the USA out of high grade aluminum and titanium, this light-weight and highly-versatile alternative to the standard winch hook provides a wide array of recovery options in a single secure device.
Warn Epic Sidewinder* - Warn’s Sidewinder is an excellent alternative to the traditional hook packaged with your winch, by covering your synthetic line and providing a more secure closed-system attachment point.
How to Install the Warn M8000 (M8) Winch
Start by referencing the installation manual that comes with the Warn M8000 winch.
Mounting the Warn M8000 Winch
Depending on your mechanical ability (or fabrication skills) it may be worth hiring a professional to install a safe and adequate winch mount in your vehicle. Every vehicle and bumper combination will have a different method for securely mounting a winch in either a foot-down or foot-forward position.
If your vehicle is not yet equipped with a mounting location, a good place to start is to simply search for “winch mount for [insert your vehicle year/make/model here] - or - “winch bumper for [insert your vehicle year/make/model here]” in your favorite search engine. This will likely yield a wide variety of options for getting your M8000 winch mounted on your specific vehicle.
If you do plan to add or fabricate your own winch mount for the M8000, Warn provides both a Universal Foot-Down Winch Mount Kit & Mounting Plate* and a Universal Foot-Forward Winch Mount Kit & Mounting Plate* that would provide a good place to start, depending on the application.
Wiring the Warn M8000 Winch
Begin by ensuring your vehicle’s battery is up to the task - Warn suggests a minimum 650 cold-cranking amp battery for proper operation of the M8000 winch. If not, now is a good time to upgrade your overlanding battery, or consider a dual battery setup.
The M8000 comes with clearly labeled and color coded high quality 2 ga electrical cable for running power from the battery to the winch control pack, and from the winch control pack to the winch motor - as well as ground cables to connect both the battery and control pack to the winch motor. A mount is included for mounting the control pack to the winch drum tie-rod bolts. See the below diagram for illustration:
If you’d like to mount your control pack in a remote location (e.g., in the engine bay where it’s better protected from the elements - as we did on our previous truck) you may need to source longer cabling to extend the control pack’s A, F1, F2, and Ground cables. We’d recommend using larger guage (e.g., 1/0) fine-strand DC cable when extending these lines. Pro Tip: you can typically find these types of large gauge DC cable at a welding supply store for much cheaper than retail locations.
How to Use the Warn M8000 Winch
Once you’ve got your winch installed, mounted, and wired up, it’s time to put it to use! And you can start by checking out our detailed guide, How to Choose and Use a 4x4 Winch [Basic Winching Techniques]!
In it we outline the process of winch selection, explain how a winch works, discuss winching recovery equipment, as well as cover the basics of 4x4 winching techniques and safety, how to use a spotter, winching hand signals, and much more.
We’ve loved our Warn M8000 winch, and it’s gotten us (and others) out of more than a couple tough spots over the years. We hope this guide helps you do the same with your new Warn M8 or M8000 winch as well.
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And as always, thanks for reading!
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