If Longfields aren't worth $230 for the increase in capability they offer... then nothing is.

I can't really descibe it to you guys. With 36s in east coast terrain, a Toy pretty much becomes nearly indestructible. I beat the hell out of my truck for TWO YEARS before I broke something on 36s. I'm talking things like staying in the throttle up a hill, while the entire truck is hopping a foot into the air, landing, and launching again over and over. It's insane.

For freaking crying out loud!!! I just got done reading all those Pirate posts myself and Geez Lousie... I knew there was a reason I don't go over there every day. I can only take so much whining and ***** and moaning in one day. I get enough of that from my significant other. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

From a totally objective point of view, from someone who doesn't really know much about any of the interested parties, it seems to all boil down to a pissing match between two or more people who want to market the same type of product and use the board to promote it. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong, but who really cares?

Funny thing is, nobody seems to argue that it's not a quality product and who can argue against the price? So, why would we care about any of the other BS? I don't see where anyone got screwed. Just people trying to make a bigger buck and it didn't work out. Now their trying out a new product. By the way, any more info on this "superbirf"? How's it's made? Why it's better?

Being totally objective, I will say this. Long posted as one of his reasons for not honoring the old warrenties anymore is that some people were not using the C-clip and this caused the axle to ride into the birf and break. The only problem with that is, just yesterday he told me over phone to not bother running the C-clip! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> He said he recommened no clip AND not to bother with a Martack type solution. So, I'm not sure if that hurts his credability with me or not, but it does bring up some questions.

For now, as long as it keeps me from having to change a birfield in the middle of nowhere on some cold dark rainy night, I'll be happy with my new Longfields when they arrive.

Of course, I think I'll be running a C-clip just to be safe.

the way it sounds like you wheel, just run a C-clip.

Your comments on his "duplicity" would be correct... if there weren't *TWO* C-Clips. Even with a mar-tack you have to run the big c-clip, that sits closer in toward the diff on the inner shaft. Otherwise the axleshaft can slide out into the birf (martack only prevents it moving the OTHER way) and then a torque load will try to expand the bell.

Longs birfs are heat treated so that they are softer, and would wear out sooner than a stock birf. Stockers, while long lasting, are very brittle... and will shatter when shock-loaded. Before the heat-treat, they have a 1/4" ring welded around the edge which greatly strengthens the birf's bell. However, this also prevents you from taking the birfield apart.. so the mar-tack is a good idea, because if you run an outer snap-ring and break an axleshaft off inside the birf, you won't be able to get the tiny piece of shaft out on the trail to install a spare axle. About the only way to get it out is to weld a nut onto the end of the piece of axleshaft and yank it out with a slide hammer. If you have mar-tacked the shaft, and it snaps, it'll be much easier to remove as long as the splines haven't twisted.

TNToy, thanks for the information. Very good. I didn't realize you can't take the birfield apart with the ring welded on.

I also didn't realize there was a C-clip in the diff side of the axle. Is this what you are talking about? I put the darn things in last summer, but I didn't remember if there was a c-clip or not on that end. I guess that means they won't just slide out nice and easy when I go to pull them, like the rear axles do, right?

Edit: Never mind. I went and looked at one of my spare shafts and I see exactly what you are talking about. I didnt notice that there was a second smaller C-clip on there on the birf end of the shaft.

Brian-----wise decision getting brand new Longs.....be sure to put your MarTacks in the right place...and grind the tacks flat. http://dreamwater.com/zuk/martack.html

Start the Mar-Tacks a little outboard of where you think they should be (if you use the grease method of marking how far the axle goes in). Grind flat, insert through old axle seal, see how it lines up, add a tad if necessary. Um, easier to add more tack than remove from splines because your axle sticks out just a little too far...

When its all spiffy, replace the axle seals with fresh ones, grease the axle to slide through, and assemble.

Ask me how I found out about this... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
I do have some trail spare axles now, though...