I'd say that you are probably correct by the time the box is in your hands. Once you get into the rarified air of "bulletproof" the prices ratchet way up. Pretty soon, you're in the Mendeola range. Rancho has an excellent reputation for their custom-built transaxles. If you'd like the names of a couple of less-regarded US outfits to chew on I can provide them. 🙂
I don't think that it is a "US" attitude. It's an individual attitude. I've seem folks on this list making statements like "I'll just run this box until it breaks 'cause I have three more boxes just like it sitting in the shed..." I cringe when I see that, cause they just aren't making those VW boxes anymore!pete wood wrote:The other thing is this. I have noticed, rightly or wrongly, that seems to be an attitude towards gearboxes in the US. They appear to be viewed in the hipo market as consumables. Something you use and abuse and throw away like coke cans.
pete wood wrote:If you can demostrate that Rancho can provide the same quality for a cheaper price and will honour a warranty from the other side of world with no stuffing around, I'd tell seagull to buy one straight away. Personally, I'd find it hard to see.
Cheaper price? Maybe, due to proximity to the SoCal hipo scene. However, it wouldn't be so much cheaper as to be worth the hassle of shipping. There is a lot of value to cultivating local sources with breakable things like this.
George
