Marlin Toybox resurrection

[dylanray]

So after several phone calls in the last 2 month I finally got SOLID confirmation that Marlin Crawler will be re-releasing the toybox in 2018.

They already have most of the parts on the self such as gears, shafts, bearings, cases....they are working with a new machine shop in redesigning the plates however.

Finally a solution for a medium and low range gear set other than the Atlas. This will allow guys like me who still want to run an offset cruiser rear end to have a better gearing selection.

Cheers,
D

 

[Burbot]

This guy has a toy box. I was impressed with the select ability. The more options the better.

 

[Rock_Hugger]

Good to hear. I have an AA Rock Box and really like the gear options of a moderate low range and a really low low with both. I'd like to install an Orion for strength but don't want to lose the moderate low range of the stock case. A Toybox and an Orion would be an awesome combo. Might have to switch.

 

[S4Cruiser]

So after several phone calls in the last 2 month I finally got SOLID confirmation that Marlin Crawler will be re-releasing the toybox in 2018.

They already have most of the parts on the self such as gears, shafts, bearings, cases....they are working with a new machine shop in redesigning the plates however.

Finally a solution for a medium and low range gear set other than the Atlas. This will allow guys like me who still want to run an offset cruiser rear end to have a better gearing selection.

Cheers,
D

Yep - I got email confirmation and word of mouth confirmation from Dave through another person too. Same story as you, which is great...consistency. Was told late 2017. I have money ready to spend, they just have to take it from me.

 

[1911]

I'd like to install an Orion for strength but don't want to lose the moderate low range of the stock case.

I'm running an Orion on an H41 transmission, with 3.70 diffs and 33" tires. Really like this combo; there is some overlap of ratios between 1st and 2nd gear in high range, and 3rd and 4th gears in low range, but on the whole very useful and usable ratios all the way down to 78.44:1 in low-range, 1st gear.

A Toybox and an Orion would be an awesome combo. Might have to switch.

That would be cool, and give you some unbelievable crawl ratios - but that's some pretty specialized wheeling. Unlike some other 4WD trucks, I find that my 40 likes to keep moving to do well on even a steep trail. But the Toybox sure would give you a lot of choices and options for gearing. Doesn't it make the rear drive shaft awfully short though?

 

[Rock40]

but that's some pretty specialized wheeling. Unlike some other 4WD trucks, I find that my 40 likes to keep moving to do well on even a steep trail. But the Toybox sure would give you a lot of choices and options for gearing. Doesn't it make the rear drive shaft awfully short though?

Not really. I have one of the first RockBox's from AA, an SM420 and the 3 speed case. It "feels" like you need to keep moving on a steep trail because your truck lacks the overall combined gearing to just idle along without even breaking a sweat. I can get out in low/low and walk faster up a steep trail and I find myself using low range sometimes when I'm parking/backing into a very tight spot in the shop. It's a pretty handy option to have.

 

[cuteo100]

What exactly was wrong with the original Toybox requiring this redesign?

 

[pjohnson]

I have 4.7 Toybox with a H41 and 3sp tcase. Low-Low 1st gear is almost stupid low. Most of the time I engage the Toy box and run the t-case in high range.

Glad to see them coming back.

 

[1911]

Not really. I have one of the first RockBox's from AA, an SM420 and the 3 speed case. It "feels" like you need to keep moving on a steep trail because your truck lacks the overall combined gearing to just idle along without even breaking a sweat. I can get out in low/low and walk faster up a steep trail and I find myself using low range sometimes when I'm parking/backing into a very tight spot in the shop. It's a pretty handy option to have.

I guess I'm remembering situations like The Wall on Poughkeepsie Gulch trail in the San Juans, for example - it's so steep, that if you don't keep a little forward momentum, you end up losing traction (especially on the front end).

 

[dylanray]

The PO stuffed the V8 so far back into the firewall that yes it would be like a 21" rear drive shaft adding the toybox.

I am moving the motor further forward to split the difference though and I'll have Tom Woods makes up some DC drive shafts since I'm in the middle of a frame off redo.

I put a new 357 Chevy (.042 over) full roller with a 268 cam, world product heads, and a forge lower end in her about 7400 miles ago. Everything is holding up well the 4 speed tcase mated to the H42 is still in good shape. Although I don't go looking for trouble by dropping the clutch with over 400ft/lbs either!