Crawler Box: What would you pay?

[Cube Dweller]

Doing a little marketing research for a friend. He is a well established Toyota 4x4 aftermarket supplier with the skills, experience and supply chain contacts to make a crawler box/dual cases for the 80 Series a reality. But, he is so busy:

1. Any time he invests would offset existing projects from paying customers.
2. He wishes to remain anon. for the time being so he isn't swamped with calls.

So, what would you pay? The poll choices are for the parts alone, installation is extra. Also, how likely would you be to actually pony up? Many times the abstract question around price will get a response, but when it's time to cough up the cash, demand evaporates....

 

[PKP80]

AND I'll VOLUNTEER TO BE THE FIRST

 

[tech_dog]

I'd pay a lot if I didn't have to do a body lift and/or alter the gas tank.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

I'd pay a lot if I didn't have to do a body lift and/or alter the gas tank.

X2, I would buy one tomorrow.

 

[cruiserdan]

Tripps...........

No body or fuel tank mods, AND OEM-quality stuff.

 

[sc40]

probally would not buy one any time soon, but would not buy if i had to do mods to the fuel tank. i "could" live w/ a body lift though

 

[MTNRAT]

Tripps...........

No body or fuel tank mods, AND OEM-quality stuff.

If that can be made into reality. I am in for what it will cost and would buy one today!
Cheers,
Sean

 

[FJ809496TLC]

OEM quality or better I would say $2K - $2.5K with little or no mods.

 

[clownmidget]

I say make an initial run of 10 and at whatever they cost. If they don't sell, then there's your proof. But I'd pay $2-3K for one that fits the constraints others identified above. Hell, I'm still considering the Marks even with the body lift and fuel tank mod

 

[psfpilot]

Tripps...........

No body or fuel tank mods, AND OEM-quality stuff.

I'd be interested in it if it is built to Land Cruiser standards.

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'd pick one up.

 

[kirk]

I think the marks product is a good one and is dependable. Yeah the install mods suck but it is far worth it.

Mark's people I hope you are reading this! I WOULD PAY ANYTHING TO KEEP BUSINESS AWAY FROM ADVANCED ADAPTERS! EVERY DEALING I HAVE WITH THEM IS A BAD ONE. YOU NEED ANOTHER REP IN THE STATES.

Back to the issue proposed, I have considered making my own box too. I have all the resources just no time. If you need any help on 3D modeling, casting patterns, fab, or gear cutting let me know and maybe I can help.

Kirk

 

[Nay]

All we need is a 4:1 low range in the case for under $1,000. Somebody solve this problem! There is no reason to ask whether or not it would sell

 

[ginericLC]

This is one of those deals where it is something I realy want, but if it is beyond $1800 it will get backburnered and backburnered and backburnered. In an ideal world I'd like to get a new gearset with a 3-4:1 low range and like a 1.1 high range. This would allow me to stick with the stronger 4.10s and not have to swap gears which is expensive and could be used to fund this. And a bigger deal for me is the 5.29 gears and folks breaking them. Not so much Cruiser guys but the mini guys running the hipinion 80 fronts. I believe Christo told me that there is no room in the TC to do this though. I'm really really wishy washy on this. I'm just being honest. At 213k I'm starting to look down the road and the 1FZE probably isn't going to be in my Cruiser's future more than another 85k. And if I switch to diesel I might have all kinds of options.

 

[BRKLYN1]

4.1 im in, no axle work needed would make it worth 2k at least.

 

[FirstToy]

same concerns as everyone else, but I'd be in as well!

 

[Nay]

4.1 im in, no axle work needed would make it worth 2k at least.

I am wondering if the "no space" issue is because of the internals alone, or if it is the case housing. In other words, could this be done for the gears and a new half-housing that bolts up to the other stock half? I'd think that is still under $1,500.

Somebody tell me if I am wrong, but what does a crawler box do for you that a reduced low range ratio doesn't (other than probably enabling an extremely low crawl ratio, which is unnecessary for an 80)?

Isn't the main point of the crawler boxes to help out those squirrels running out of breath on their little wheels?

Nay

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Somebody tell me if I am wrong, but what does a crawler box do for you that a reduced low range ratio doesn't (other than probably enabling an extremely low crawl ratio, which is unnecessary for an 80)?

Why do you think it's unnecessary? I run 5:99(Volvo axles) gearing with 38.5 tires and would love to have a 4:1 box. If one doesn't come available soon I'm going to the 7.19 gearing.

 

[clarkrw3]

Same as others have said...without having to mod things under there I would pay 2-3k and would be jumping on this!!!

 

[Nay]

Why do you think it's unnecessary? I run 5:99(Volvo axles) gearing with 38.5 tires and would love to have a 4:1 box. If one doesn't come available soon I'm going to the 7.19 gearing.

You don't have the same need for ultra low crawl gear with a large displacement engine and auto tranny as you do with a small engine and a manual. This is why in the Jeep world you tend to see low range reduction kits and in the Toyota world you tend to have the crawler boxes (the latter being substantially more expensive).

Your 5.99's probably only get you back to square 1 as far as ratios, so the 4:1 would be useful. That would hardly give you an ultra low ratio in relation to tire size.

From a R&D cost recovery perspective, a 4:1 case solution is a much better bet than a crawler box for the 80. Everybody will want one because it should be less expensive and require no other mods, and 95% of us don't need more than 4:1 in total, including the diffs.

Nay