I've been thinking about putting a solid axle under the front of my 92 4runner instead of putting on a bracket IFS lift. I was planning on getting a kit from marlin, but i recently discovered trail-gear's kit.

for reference:
Trail-Gear SAS kit
Marlin SAS kit

So, what's the deal? I can't seem to understand how trail-gear can provide a way more complete kit for $1100. Am I missing something? It looks like the trail-gear kit comes with more stuff like the knuckle rebuild kit, the axle gusset, diff armor, and greaseable shackles.

What do you guys think? Is there a reason not to go with the trail-gear kit?

 

There has been a pissing match over this, because Chris left Marlin and everybody said he stole the designs so basically there is no design and development cost associated. I am not going to be the peson to say what is right or wrong, but that is my understanding of why it is so cheap.

 

Ok this is very complicated Ive talked to very good sources (in fact the absolute best sources) geiger is interested in the $ aspect of the buisness, always has been ever since he left all pro for marlin and tryed to bury all pro. Now he is doing the same thing to marlin. A good example of this is the springs, marlin used to offer VERY high quality USA springs, then geiger got them to use the import springs (which dont get a good wrap) now they have brought back the USA springs and are taking the high end road that has always treated them well, not the $ road. Geiger wants the "4wheelparts" of toyota rock crawling, theres no problem with that but just understand who and what is involved here. I bought the marlin kit, and am happy I did, I know the trail gear kit MIGHT make more sense money wise but I am doing this once and I NEED it to work!! plus marlin is back to using the springs that many beleive are on par with alcan and deaver. A sas isnt a place to save a couple hundred $'s. There is a lot more involved but that is the overview, that ive got from talking to "people"

I like to reward EXCELENT customer service with my buisness.

 

There is definately a play to put Marlin out of business, so it's really up to the consumer to decide. Personally, Marlin is the type of person you want in this industry, he's always going out of his way to assist. In the case with trail-Gear they are just sending the work overseas and making copies of all Marlin's products...

 

THANK GOD I THOUGHT I WAS ALONE IN THIS! Finally some loyalty

 

I definately agree also, but it will come down to the consumer. It is as I would call it the Wal-Mart dilema. All of the little guys in a community that have provided their services for years get shut out because somebody comes in with lower prices, crappier product or not.

 

Well I see Marlin breaking even more away from the mainstream of allpro, sky, and trail gear, and offering a much higher quality product. But they have always done that in my opinion, I guess it will get better. I just love dealing with the guys over there, it would be a shame to see them go mainstream, damn buisness majors (I am a buisness major)

 

Marlin is one of the best in the industry in my opinion. His customer service is top notch and he always responds to any problems asap. When I had a problem with the gears I ordered, he fixed it no problem and had me new gears on the way on the day I called him. Cheaper may be better from a $ standpoint, but remember you get what you pay for. If it were me, I'd pay a little more for the great customer service and the fact that I know if there is a problem it will be handled right away.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I knew there had to be something that I was missing.

 

Personally, I wouldn't cross the street to <urinate> on any product Geiger was involved in.

Given the choices, I would gladly pay more for Marlin stuff, because I know he is going to PERSONALLY stand behind it. I was shocked when Marlin brought Chris on board, but it ended exactly as I predicted it would.

The leopard does not change his spots.

 

For those who are new to the game, Geiger started at All Pro and then went to Marlin. Upon arrival, there was a striking similarity between websites and product lines. Then Marlin was getting bought and things fell through. Geiger went to Trail Gear. This time the twist is Trail Gear was a Marlin supplier. Now they can sell all the stuff cheaper since they are the primary source and distributor.

It is all the same stuff, just getting it closer to the producer.

Everyone else in this business seems concerned only with the bottom line, so must get the stuff as cheap as they can. Marlin has done both good and bad by me. I support them because they have done mostly good and are a legend with good stuff.

 

Trail-Gear has the finacial backing (supported by a multi-million dollar industrial supplier) to do HUGE volume production runs, combine that with the fact that they haven't had to spend much money on R&D because all of their products were designed on another companies budget (All-Pro & Marlin) and you have a formula for inexpensive products. I've been told that recently Trail-Gear's owner purchased one of everything from All-Pro so he could send the products as samples to China for reproduction at a lower cost. Then he called All-Pro asking if they wanted to buy the knock-off parts. If that story is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn't as I was told it by a reliable source, then in my book that is not a company I'd want to do business with.

I've also been told that Geiger tried to negotiate a contract that would have brought Marlin a partner (Trail-Gear) but in the fine print it stipualted that Marlin himself would be removed from the partnership in 1-year's time. I didn't see that contract personally but again I was told of this from a reliable source.

With so many reputable compaines with reasonably priced products to choose from why go with the cheapest option if all it does is save you a couple bucks at the expense of the overall good of the industry?

 

Interesting. I really agree with your last statement.

 

go with the marlin kit....



ps. i hate walmart

 

There is no truth to this post period.

 

Remember correctly and you will find that Marlin did not offer any springs prior to my arrival. I brought the entire suspension line to Marlin. If I did not come work for Marlin, they would not have a suspension product line to day.

Love me or hate me, had I not worked for Marlin you would not have the option of buying from him today. That is a fact.

 

Why don't you start a thread and COMPLETELY explain yourself without leaving anything out. This way it may give a perception that your a stand up kind of guy. So far on this board and another board I keep hearing Marlin this, Marlin that. Their must be a reason why so many want to stick with Marlin, right? You need to come straight out and be honest. Your honesty will probably grant you more business.

James

 

I agree, I have no problem with stores, america is MARKET driven, the consumer will decideds who survives, capitalism. However, I do have a problem with dishonesty, and personal vendedas. This is not a walmart type market, this a market full of buyers who are PASSIONATE about this sport and the people who support it! So the bottom line is not THE BOTTOM LINE in this market, Im proof of that.

 

I wish I could. Most of the posts about what has happened have been deleted or I have been forced by others into deleting them.

Another issue is it would not be appropriate to discuss many items such as the details of the contracts that Marlin and I signed.

I wish I could post what the daily sales figures were the day I walked in to Marlin's shop and the day I walked out. Sales were 8 times higher after two years. Marlin went from loosing money to actually showing a profit.

Shortly before my arrival, Marlin had told everyone at the shop to look for work elsewhere and that the shop was closing. Call and ask Dave, or Rocky, or Tim, they all remember.

It really hurts to hear Marlin telling people that I stabbed him in the back when the truth is I saved his ass and turned his business around.

 

Ok first off this is my first time to this site and i read something like this.... what is the industry coming to????? and to think that their are so many people sticking their noses into other peoples business.... the slander and hatred must end or their will be a cave in and nobody will make prosper...