I had a local shop in Hillsboro, Oregon, Leonard's Off Road built it for me. It's ready to go, I'll be picking it and putting it in later this week.

so basically your TOTAL bill was like $330 for both of them then? that was shipping and all?

Yep. Shipping is free, or at least including in the website advertised price for anywhere in the U.S. I bought two of the new $165 per unit Longfields, tonight. They will be shipped out tomorrow and I'll get them in a few days.

Total price $330. You can save even more bucks by sending him your stock birfields and/or axles, though. I was told the turn around at his shop is about a day on birfs that are sent to him.

I assume you've read the excellent FAQ on Pirate RE adjusting Birfs.

I just rebuilt a Birf on my Fiance's car. Of course it's an Altima HAHA. It was a messy job. It wouldn't be fun on the trail. Had to use a 36mm socket and a 4' breaker bar to get the hub loose.

Don't even talk to me about import car CV axles. I just went through the biggest hell trying to pull the CV half shaft out of my Honda CRX's spindle. In short, after many hours of cussing, blood, sweat and far more money than I intended to spend, the axle is still stuck in my spindle, except my spindle and axle are now sitting on my garage floor. I ended up buying a whole used spindle and front suspension so I could put the new axle in. What a freaking hassle!!

I even took a 5 pound sledge hammer to it and no, there's nothing C-clip or anything holding it in and I did take the bolt off. But...I'm getting off topic.

I was able to go directly to Bobby's to pickup my my Longfields, and got to see his shop and have a one on one explanation about how and why he makes them as he does. I chose to put mine in early, having busted a stock birf and knuckle playing around in some dirt piles and ditches on a little course we built at the back of our church.

The Longfields are about the only thing I don't worry about breaking. I run 37" tires, V6 with 223:1 crawl ratio, so I've got all the criteria for breaking stock birfs. I have backup birfs, but I don't carry them. I would on a remote trail run, where getting back might require them...

YES

where to start on that-

web page

web page

But it boils down to Bobby saying he would not sell retail anymore, He would not do any more reman's, He would no longer honor his past warranty, and would only sell thru specific dealers. He setup a few vendors at a specific price, and that was fine.

Unfortunately, after a short time, he made some statements and posts on the Pirate board that pretty much destroyed his reputation over there.

He still makes the best Birf's out, at least right now.

I've got'm, glad to have'm

later

Marlin must have heard your complaint Brian, Longfields are listed for $169 each on Marlin's site now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Ok I just spent the last 2 1/2 hours reading everything I could about the longfield drama on the pirate4x4 board.

I had pretty much made up my mind that I was getting the longfields. And now I am not so sure.

I dont know if I want to buy a product from someone that runs his bisness like that.

Does anyone have anymore up to date onfo about this?

Are the only 2 companys making stronger birfields, Longfield and smurfield?