I know the answer already......whatever someone is willing to pay. In this case it's me paying. I've recently found a 42-48 Columbia 2 speed axle. It's missing the shift mechanism and has some dirt inside the shift housing. I have never seen a 2 speed in person in our area of the world (seems all the local folk were to cheap for any extras). Being that I've never seen one or shopped for one before, I have no idea what to pay for one. Any help?
My guess? Unknown quality? $500? They can cost thousands to rebuild and even then can be unreliable Ask on the Fordbarn site. Many knowledable folks there
what Jimmie said.....really nice one's for those that want - complete in operational condition - are $1500 up
Well worth it if you can use it to get more speed and lower RPMs out of your driver. Dad has had one trouble-free in a Merc for 45 years now with probably 50,000 miles of driving.
$500? $1,500 in working condition? I didn't get the memo that they're all to be reduced by 30-50% A good friend of mine recently sold an N.O.S. one for $3,800. It needed paint (obviously) and worth a look inside to clean up and add fresh lube. There were 3-4 guys "fighting" over it. Have they rally gone down in price? Maybe I'm just out of the loop. I'd say anything in the 'hood of $1,000, give or take each way, it's a deal. Now this indeed depends on condition and what's missing. Good luck, I hope you get it.
Yeah...it's all about condition. Buying an NOS one insures you've got a usable unit hence the hefty price. Alotta sun gears are blown apart and the value goes down real quick. Yes, they make new sun gears but they're not cheap either. I've seen buddies buy piles of cheaper ones but 1 out 5 is maybe usable and that's after the basic rebuild. If you've got a good rear end you're only part of the way there...there's speedo reducers and clutch arms and little bits you've gotta chase down if you want it to work like the factory intended. I've seen em change hands for as low as $50 to $500 depending on the sellers knowledge and the apparent condition. When they're $2500-$4500 they're either functioning from a running car or rebuilt by a reputable shop. JohnnyA
have had 4 columbias, last one i bought at a body shop when at veva las vegas, $800, shipped to jonny stooksbury in tenn. to bulit proof, and put 4.11 grs. $650, FREIGHT $400+-. bulit proofed 2 of others $600. friend bought one of my old ones last week for $500, a great deal. the viva one is in my T-v8 that i hope to crank up next week for first time.
Highlander I don't think you're out of the loop at all. I know they cost a bunch in good operable condition, but also cost a lot to rebuild. On the west coast, I've heard of $3000 to "bullet proof", whatever that means, and have also heard that some of the rebuilt items are somewhat unreliable. I have no experience with them at all
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