Lets talk Differential Covers!

[hjdca]

Metalcloak makes very nice stuff, and I have some of it, but I’d prefer a skid that protects the entire diff housing and pinion.

yeah, the new version of the Metalcloak front diff. skid does extend back more. I have the original short skid version when they first came out. I have the 2020 front diff on the JTR that has the drain hole on the bottom, so, I felt like I needed a front skid for that.... Note: The new Metalcloak front skid version requires you to drill into the diff webbing to secure the longer front skid. So far, the shorter front skid has not been an issue for me because I can control the wheel placement much better in the front.... The long distance to the rear while turning and the rear slipping off boulders has been tougher to place the rear tires correctly, so, the rear has been dragged over many more boulders and I much appreciate the better skid coverage.

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[WILDHOBO]

yeah, the new version of the Metalcloak front diff. skid does extend back more. I have the original short skid version when they first came out. I have the 2020 front diff on the JTR that has the drain hole on the bottom, so, I felt like I needed a front skid for that.... Note: The new Metalcloak front skid version requires you to drill into the diff webbing to secure the longer front skid. So far, the shorter front skid has not been an issue for me because I can control the wheel placement much better in the front.... The long distance to the rear while turning and the rear slipping off boulders has been tougher to place the rear tires correctly, so, the rear has been dragged over many more boulders and I much appreciate the better skid coverage.

Makes sense. My 2021 has drain plugs on both diffs as well. Both NVM skids protect the pinions, but neither requires drilling.

 

[WilliamD]

I have the nodular iron Dana covers. They have the same inside shape as the stamped oem covers.

Just about any iron cover is better than the oem cover, off road.

Did you need a spacer for the rear sway bar/any clearance issues on front trackbar?

 

[Josh00333]

Ok ya all convinced me, it goes on!

I’m keeping the covers they look cool

 

[Jaxmax]

Josh, did I miss which skid you have or both? Not sure which I would buy first but think the rear would be my choice between that long wheel base.
Look at hjdca's pictures of his diff, in the picture I see a solid skidded setup, front control arm skids, rear control arm skids, oil pan skid, rear shock skids and a sway bar system high and safe. I choose to not lift and won't put bigger then skinny 34'" tires on so I'm skidded everything just short of a full belly skid., and even my oil pan skid is a New Venture Modular that later I can fully belly skid the bottom by adding to it......Jack

 

[Josh00333]

I got the AEV rear skid. Not as bullet proof (literally) as some like the Metta Cloak but still solid and I like how little it take away from clearance.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/differential-skid-plate-jl-wrangler-gladiator-bronco/

I plan on "slowly" adding protection, control arm mounts etc probably next.

Josh, did I miss which skid you have or both? .....Jack

 

[Rusty PW]

Did you need a spacer for the rear sway bar/any clearance issues on front trackbar?

No spacers in the rear. The front cover clears the Core 4x4 track bar.

 

[hjdca]

Josh, did I miss which skid you have or both? Not sure which I would buy first but think the rear would be my choice between that long wheel base.
Look at hjdca's pictures of his diff, in the picture I see a solid skidded setup, front control arm skids, rear control arm skids, oil pan skid, rear shock skids and a sway bar system high and safe. I choose to not lift and won't put bigger then skinny 34'" tires on so I'm skidded everything just short of a full belly skid., and even my oil pan skid is a New Venture Modular that later I can fully belly skid the bottom by adding to it......Jack

Great point... lol... You cannot tell in the pictures because all those skids have been painted many, many times. especially the rear control arm skids... You may be able to see some dents if you look closely enough... No matter what your lift kit and tire size, I recommend a full set of skids for the control arms, shocks, skids, diffs, etc... ; and if you are going to do the Rubicon trail, I would also get the engine, tranny, transfer case skid.... I did not get the exhaust skid and I already tore up two mufflers.... lol... --- and i have a 3.5" lift with 37s.

 

[Josh00333]

AEV covers are in!

Do have a clearance issue with the skid, have spacer coming that I hope addresses that.

 

[mrmo]

those are what i have, they are heavy cast nodular, prob able to take a hit pretty good. although im considering adding additional external skids as sacrificial elements

 

[GladiatorPilot23]

I would definitely do the front and rear skids and covers. Protecting the pumpkin is important to me personally from damage and scrapes.

I’m doing the AEV coverage right now. One cover is a little bit ugly in the casting with deformities in the material. I heard some complaints from other people. It’s too bad. It’s a cool cover with a big inspection, fill Port I love. I’ll send aev a message.

The other problem is, there’s no magnet like OEM fill plug? I’m pretty shocked that they did that. I’m trying to figure out what kind of a plug and I think I might have figured it out after all this trial. 1/4 inch pipe plug. I’m gonna order it now from gold plug. If anybody is interested, let me know and I can post back if it worked.

EDIT: Drip plug magnet. For AEV Cover.

GoldPlug 1/4"-18 NPT Industrial Magnetic Drain Plug (Internal Head) IP-02, 0.25″ Internal Hex, 0.41″ OAL

 

[MSFTMatt]

I’ve got the Next Venture diff skids sitting in my garage waiting to install. Reading through this thread the general consensus is the stock covers are fine as long as you have quality skids. My question is in regards to swapping the covers for aluminum for heat dissipation since they will be totally protected by the NVM skids. I don’t row, but my rig is heavy with overlanding set up and 37’s. Curious as to folks thoughts on going this direction.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I’ve got the Next Venture diff skids sitting in my garage waiting to install. Reading through this thread the general consensus is the stock covers are fine as long as you have quality skids. My question is in regards to swapping the covers for aluminum for heat dissipation since they will be totally protected by the NVM skids. I don’t row, but my rig is heavy with overlanding set up and 37’s. Curious as to folks thoughts on going this direction.

I have their skids front and rear with stock covers. You’d need to verify thickness of a third party aluminum either way NVM first. When using stock covers you get a spacer from NVM to take care of the thickness problem. Their skids are designed for the thickness of their steel covers. Regarding strength, I don’t have a single scratch on my stock covers. Those skids protect them extremely well. I think it’s an either decision for me. And I’ll always choose skids over covers.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Your experience with the NVM stuff sent me to them in the first place. Super quality stuff. Maybe I’m making an issue with heat when there really isn’t one. I kinda like to knock out as much upgrade as I can while in a particular area, like CA skids when I installed lift. Figured I’d get a little more info on this topic before install and see if it’s a moot point or if actually be beneficial.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Your experience with the NVM stuff sent me to them in the first place. Super quality stuff. Maybe I’m making an issue with heat when there really isn’t one. I kinda like to knock out as much upgrade as I can while in a particular area, like CA skids when I installed lift. Figured I’d get a little more info on this topic before install and see if it’s a moot point or if actually be beneficial.

I think you’re fine with factory covers. I just wish I was ordering now. I’d absolutely get the zinc coating. I just got done repainting the front skid, and the rear is next. You can see the spacer in the first picture.

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