Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

Ordered a 4-speed during their 2019 black friday deal for $3700 shipped with cables and adapter, I think we got in on the last batch of reasonable pricing, looks like $4800 currently for a 4-speed

 

Not directed at you, just in general... As long as they communicate and set expectations, it's all good. Don't buy one if the lead time is too long for what you need. Supply chain issues are everyone's bane right now. The problem arises when companies over promise and under deliver. If they're straight up about it, it's all good by me.

 

You got lucky too. I also got my 2-speed before the prices spiked.

Agree with your points. Vendors should definitely not over-promise, and customers should have realistic expectations. It is a 2-way street.

However, when it comes to transfer cases/crawl boxes, these issues with Marlin go back way before the pandemic. Their 'partnership' with RockSolidToys - whether it was ever official or not - some years ago made things worse for customers. It was all very unfortunate because it was not Marlin's fault at all. But the damage had already been done by the time people found the truth of what happened with all those crawl boxes.

Anyway, I received my 2-speed Atlas in less than a month back in 2016. Crazy to hear that it is a 6 plus month wait now. I still think it is worth the wait though. Those transfer cases are a good investment.

 

@1999RegCab Marlin sucked back in like 2000, you could never get a hold of them on the phone.

 

I remember trying to get ahold of Marlin back in 07 for a crawl box for my 02 tundra… literally never got a response or call back, nothing. I only use them for last resort now, fuck them.

but ya, loved my atlas 4 speed in the previous Tacoma. I wish it didn’t leak like a bitch out of the box for what I paid for it but whatever I guess

 

Dang...so this goes father back than I thought. Two plus decades and counting!

I gave up too, which is why I ended up going with an Atlas transfer case. I've gotten small parts from them with no issues. They seem to carry a bunch of seals and other things that other people don't have. But the big tickets items...that's a different story.

That's disappointing to hear that you had those issues with the 4-speed Atlas. Did you ever figure out that the problem was? Did AA address the issue to your satisfaction? They seem to have a pretty good customer service.

 

Hopefully NWF can make reduction gear in the future for those that opt to go the route. Price tag is good too.

 

Lead times on anything right now are insane. When I did my transmission swap last year, if I didn’t make the part, it either showed up with the wrong stuff or broken. Nobody cares anymore and blames it on the rona still.

 

I never even contacted them about the leaks, I just rolled with it. It was leaking from multiple places…. Speedo port, where the reduction box mounted to the main case, another seal on the front…. Etc. I can confirm that their customer service is top tier, they helped me on some other stuff I was having trouble with.

 

Is the all pro crawl box garbage? Never hear anything about it.

 

AllPro? It's TG, they're bought out by them.

 

All poo = trail gear

 

Yes that one. Trail creeper or something.

 

Yes and forty other companies. Everyone gets the same sticker pack

 

In your case just buy an atlas or equivalent. You would have damn near all the parts when you want to build a buggy! Going with a Toyota based crawl box for the stuff you want to wheel on would not last too long.

 

That’s a good point. I’m trying to do hydro and the axles with the future in mind. An LS/TH400 sure would get me closer

 

More pics?

 

Very nice. Is the hanger bracket custom made?(you made)

 

Thanks! And yea, all made by me. I think the only brackets I have bought so far are the hangers for the 63's in the rear