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Confused? E-mail your questions about trucks, 4x4's, and off-roading tech using "Nuts, I'm confused" as the subject and include a picture (if it's applicable). Digital photos must measure no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels (or two megapixels) and be saved as a TIFF, an EPS, or a maximum-quality JPEG file. Also, I'll be checking the forums on our Web site (www.4wheeloffroad.com), and if I see a question that I think more of you might want to have answered, I'll print that as well. Otherwise drop it old-school style with the envelope addressed to the address below. Letters published in this magazine reflect the opinions of the writers, and we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes.
Write to:
Nuts & Bolts
4-Wheel & Off-Road
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515
fax 323.782.2704
E-mail to:
nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Oddball Cable-Puller
Question: I have what was described to me as the predecessor to the Warn 8274 winch hidden in the depths of the garage. However, it isn't stamped WARN anywhere. I was told they used an old Ford starter with a different gear to turn the winch. I was also told they don't make that gear for those starters anymore. The mechanics of this antique work great, but the old starter gear is chewed beyond usability. As well the mounts for the starter were thrashed, welded, cracked, and rewelded and look terrible.
Is the info I was given (Warn product, Ford starter with different gear) correct information? If so, is there any availability to that gear? Furthermore-is there a way to adapt the new motor for the 8274-50 to this old beast? I grabbed this off of an old parts rig I had a total of $50 into, so if it isn't fixable, no big loss. But if I could get it up and going that would be great. Maybe Editor Rick Pw actually remembers one of these.
Kevin Knight
North Pole, AK
Answer: What you have there is a Bellevue 5687, a precursor to the Warn 8274, but from what Pw and I can determine it's been cobbled together by one of your frugal yet ingenious countrymen who couldn't find a replacement motor because we have never seen that Ford starter upgrade. The Bellevue is not a bad winch, though it does have a few shortcomings versus the later 8274 or latest 8274-50, namely the external contracting brake which can wear out over years and then not hold a load very well. But for $50 Pw or I would have jumped on it, so our recommendation is keep it and fix it. We are sure that a replacement motor for an 8274 could be modified to work on the Bellevue, and have heard of folks using Warn 9.5 and even Ramsey winch motors on their Bellevues. Heck, there have even been Hydraulic motors adapted to 8274s and as such they should be adaptable to the Bellevue. The biggest problem is going to be figuring out how much if any irreversible damage was done to the input in order to make it run off a Ford starter. If you were building a rat rod wheeler I could see keeping the Ford starter system just for a hillbilly look, but if you want to use it off road with any dependability, I would hunt for another motor. Contact the Four Wheel Drive Center (800.328.4445) as they can help rebuild this winch for you.
FiberBed?
Question: Can you help me find a source that carries fiberglass bedsides that fit a '77 Chevy longbed truck?
Clark
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Glassworks Unlimited (714.379.9134, www.glassworksunlimited.com) lists them on its Web site for around $560.