Sounds like when the time comes I need to check out the folks over at Nitro for my needs.
Longfeild sold to Trail Gears
- Thread starter radioridge
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I can't believe I'm going to say this, especially in an open forum where I can't deny it later, but I think I'll recommend you buy axles from....... yup (sigh & SMH)...... Trail-Gear.
I just got off the phone with TG tracking my axle and had a little Q & A session with the guy in the warranty department about Long's, Dirty 30's, warranty changes, etc. I'm quite dumbfounded by all the [good] news I received. I'll give y'all the full write up later when I can get onto a regular computer and keyboard.
IH8MUD on Android
It's been a few days now so I'm not sure if I'll recall all of what was said, but I'll do my best and amend if I remember stuff later.
1) Trail Gear IS planning to eventually modify the Longfield warranty to match what theirs currently is for the D30's. That is, lifetime, no questions asked, but only to the original purchaser. This is NOT in place as of yet, but they are going try to get a database built up somehow.
2) As Mike at ACC mentioned, the Long's and the D30's are basically the same product since they come out of the same production facility. That being said, Trail Gear is - supposedly - going to do the opposite of what I would've guessed: They're going to morph THEIR product, the Dirty 30's, into the Longfield line. In other words, and if I am understanding it right, Trail Gear is doing away with the the D30's and will be making everything Longfields from now on (once inventories and manufacturing processes change I'd assume).
3) TG will not be fixing or rebuilding anything, only full replacements. Again though, this could possibly be just temporary until all the "dust settles".
4) Return shipping costs are covered by Trail Gear for the warrantied products. This is actually better than what Longfield did unless, as when I had my Long's rebuilt in early 2013, they charge for shipping [non-warranty] rebuilds but don't charge shipping for warranties. As well, they said you can request return shipping to a different address. This would be nice if you were to break something and need it warrantied, but had another trip soon after and were sure it wouldn't get back in time for the next departure but would get to the destination in time.
That's all that comes to mind right now, but it does seem like there is something I'm forgetting. All in all though, pretty good news I'd say - I'm quite impressed with the current direction they're planning. I guess the #1 thing to take away from this as it stands right now, is that if you have Long's or D30's that YOU didn't originally purchase, make sure you keep contact with the person who did because they can always still get the warranty. Once I get the package from TG with my replacement axle (should be there when I get home tonight) and see if there's any literature inside about this transaction, I may see about calling them back and having my name listed as the "original purchaser" for a set of Long's so I'm in their DB for future reference and, hopefully, no-hassle returns.
1) Trail Gear IS planning to eventually modify the Longfield warranty to match what theirs currently is for the D30's. That is, lifetime, no questions asked, but only to the original purchaser. This is NOT in place as of yet, but they are going try to get a database built up somehow.
2) As Mike at ACC mentioned, the Long's and the D30's are basically the same product since they come out of the same production facility. That being said, Trail Gear is - supposedly - going to do the opposite of what I would've guessed: They're going to morph THEIR product, the Dirty 30's, into the Longfield line. In other words, and if I am understanding it right, Trail Gear is doing away with the the D30's and will be making everything Longfields from now on (once inventories and manufacturing processes change I'd assume).
3) TG will not be fixing or rebuilding anything, only full replacements. Again though, this could possibly be just temporary until all the "dust settles".
4) Return shipping costs are covered by Trail Gear for the warrantied products. This is actually better than what Longfield did unless, as when I had my Long's rebuilt in early 2013, they charge for shipping [non-warranty] rebuilds but don't charge shipping for warranties. As well, they said you can request return shipping to a different address. This would be nice if you were to break something and need it warrantied, but had another trip soon after and were sure it wouldn't get back in time for the next departure but would get to the destination in time.
That's all that comes to mind right now, but it does seem like there is something I'm forgetting. All in all though, pretty good news I'd say - I'm quite impressed with the current direction they're planning. I guess the #1 thing to take away from this as it stands right now, is that if you have Long's or D30's that YOU didn't originally purchase, make sure you keep contact with the person who did because they can always still get the warranty. Once I get the package from TG with my replacement axle (should be there when I get home tonight) and see if there's any literature inside about this transaction, I may see about calling them back and having my name listed as the "original purchaser" for a set of Long's so I'm in their DB for future reference and, hopefully, no-hassle returns.
TeddyBoy
Knighted by the King of MUD himself
All that crap I took a few months ago from you and Mike for buying drive shaft 2 flanges from TG and now this? About time you came out of the closet. 
Do those parts you bought say Longfield on them? I don't think so. The parts I said to buy will have that name etched on them.
The parts I said to buy will have that name etched on them.
You (and the rest of us) hope....
Nitro Replacement and Chromoly Birfield / CV Axle kits
We have been a loyal Ih8mud Vendor since day one and plan to stay forever. Not only do we offer a wide range of gear and axle parts for cruisers, but many of our staff are dedicated cruiser heads that run the same parts. We offer the full range of chromoly and replacement type Birfields in our Nitro Gear & Axle product line. Nitro Birfields are also available from lots of good vendors here on mud such as:
-ACC Toyota
-Baertrax
-Cruiser Outfitters
-Slee Offroad
-Cruiserparts
-Joney's
-Redline
-Safari LTD
-Extreme Landcruiser
-Torfab
Sorry if I forgot any
It can be notable we have a few extras, like:
-Replacement grade 80 series Birfield Joints which have been hugely popular for the average daily driver 80 series on 35's or smaller
-Chromoly 80 series joints and full kits that feature double snapring grooves in case you want to run Manual hubs. They are also spec'd with harder inner cage and bearings to last longer on vehicles that get lots of miles.
-Kits for LJ/RJ 70 series LCII bundera.
We have been offering these for years and I think that if you ask around you will hear good things as the failure rate is a fraction of a %.
We have been a loyal Ih8mud Vendor since day one and plan to stay forever. Not only do we offer a wide range of gear and axle parts for cruisers, but many of our staff are dedicated cruiser heads that run the same parts. We offer the full range of chromoly and replacement type Birfields in our Nitro Gear & Axle product line. Nitro Birfields are also available from lots of good vendors here on mud such as:
-ACC Toyota
-Baertrax
-Cruiser Outfitters
-Slee Offroad
-Cruiserparts
-Joney's
-Redline
-Safari LTD
-Extreme Landcruiser
-Torfab
Sorry if I forgot any
It can be notable we have a few extras, like:
-Replacement grade 80 series Birfield Joints which have been hugely popular for the average daily driver 80 series on 35's or smaller
-Chromoly 80 series joints and full kits that feature double snapring grooves in case you want to run Manual hubs. They are also spec'd with harder inner cage and bearings to last longer on vehicles that get lots of miles.
-Kits for LJ/RJ 70 series LCII bundera.
We have been offering these for years and I think that if you ask around you will hear good things as the failure rate is a fraction of a %.
I have a question about my longfields. While cutting and turning my knuckles on my fj40 I discovered the long shaft side is galled up and not moving smoothly. I used a brass punch to get the bearings and the inner thingamabob out. The housing looks fine inside and out. can I just order the guts of a longfield from TG or do I have to send it to them. I will call Monday but was wondering if anyone has had the experience yet.
I didn't have that come up directly, but I'm pretty sure the answer is "no", you cannot get replacement parts.
Please do report back with ANY info you receive from them though. Good luck.
I talked with Nick their warranty guy. Correct the answer is no I cannot just get replacement parts. They don't rebuild them like Bobby did as has been stated and the process is probably a work in progress. He wanted me to send them down so off they went Monday. I'll get back to everyone with the final outcome.
I only got to talk with Bobby a couple of times and didn't realize he had passed until last week. But what a nice guy he was.
I shipped my original Longfields Monday to trail gear and received my new "Authentic Longfields" Friday. No hassle no charge. Also I talked to a buddy who has a built Suzuki Samurai he competes with. He also got treated the same way...good as Bobby's word. I do wonder if they are making them slightly bigger because I had to make more room with a die grinder for these new ones.
In case anyone hasn't looked recently, TG has three different types of Chromo Birfs now. The first two are one year warranty and the newest gun-drilled ones are limited lifetime. Still only warrantied to the original purchaser and with proof of invoice though.
I will retract my statement from earlier in the thread about buying from Trail-Gear. Turns out they ARE as shady as originally thought. My first choice is RCV's and a close second would be the Nitro's as mentioned earlier by justdifferentials.
If anyone hears of a deal or a sale on RCV's, or knows a dealer doing discounts for any of our affiliations (TLCA, GCC, etc), please let me know. I am in the market.
I will retract my statement from earlier in the thread about buying from Trail-Gear. Turns out they ARE as shady as originally thought. My first choice is RCV's and a close second would be the Nitro's as mentioned earlier by justdifferentials.
If anyone hears of a deal or a sale on RCV's, or knows a dealer doing discounts for any of our affiliations (TLCA, GCC, etc), please let me know. I am in the market.
Saw your post in your move thread. Sorry to hear about your problems with TG. I only know of Bobby Long from campfire talk and online posts, but I will say it seems like a shame that someone who carried such a great reputation and dedicated his career to the industry has had his good name soiled by the Trailmart folks.
TeddyBoy
Knighted by the King of MUD himself
Did not know about the 3 warranties!
Dave's OffRoad seems to be the go to vendor for RCVs : http://www.davesoffroadsupply.com/ though it also appears you can go direct. Never dealt with him but has an excellent rep on Pirate. Let us know what you find out.
Sure you know this already but for those that don't, RCV is the original manufacturer/vendor of the Longfield product line that Bobby used for years. After bobby's death and the sale of Longfield to TG RCV got in the game directly. Their website even states: "No Questions Asked LIMITED LIFETIME Warranty", whatever "LIMITED" means I do not know. http://www.rcvperformance.com/
It's all a shame too, countess threads on this in other forums but I hate it's turned out this way.
FWIW- Justdifferentials is in your backyard and having a counter-top to lean on has benefits.
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What happened to make you change your tune? It sounded like they were taking care of you (surprisingly). Not that I'm surprised that they are shady, just curious on the details.
Don't know about Steve's experience but I had a 27 spline longfield warranted by TG, service was prompt. But the Birf I got said TG Longfield on it but just did not look like the original and no country of origin on it. My other experience- I bought a stud eliminator hub kit from them, the parts look good and have not broke yet, my issue is the wheel bearing with the kit were cheap ass Chinese. My neighbor bought a Sami front end kit from low range and it was a TG kit and it had the Chinese bearings.
They eventually did warranty the first broken one, but it took forever (maybe just because it was during the acquisition though) and they fought me along the way (replacement was an OLF, not a TGLF though). I think I was just lucky that they did not have their system in place at that time. I think what helped me out is that the rep ended up adding me into the DB for warranty purposes because that's the only way he could figure out to do anything at all.
FF to present day...
As I hoped would be the case when this day came (breaking again), it appears that I may be in their system as a Lifetime Warranty holder due to the aforementioned DB addition. That's right, they actually said YES to my warranty request!!!! Thank you to everyone who suggested I go ahead and give it a shot anyway, even though I was almost positive it was a waste of my time. Even though it'll be a TGLF, not an OLF (obviously), at least it'll be a full 30spline chromo set again. Right now I have a stock shaft with a 27spline outer in there. I've already killed a complete set of 30spline OLF's, so I'm curious to see how long this one will last. Probably still going to save up for the RCV's anyway; if nothing else, out of Respect for Bobby, spite for TG, and confidence in RCV's and their warranty.
Maybe keep my short side OLF to sell to a museum some day? hahaha
Well good to know they are covering the 27 spline birfs too.
27 and 30 spline standard axles are one year limited warranty according to their site. The gun-drilled 30's are limited lifetime.
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