Stock Diff Covers

[bakobobby]

So I dragged some bits today on cement steps while fooling around at the local off road park. To my surprise the stock diff cover ground off like it was made out of cheap soft metal… which it is I guess? Is this anyone else's experience? I feel like I need to upgrade to something that can take abuse pronto. Good news is the stock tie rod seems well made and despite also some dragging took minor scratch like damage.

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[u-joint]

The stock diff covers are made out of aluminum, and will absolutely crap out on you like that. It's not uncommon to upgrade to aftermarket diff covers for this exact reason.

 

[LostWoods]

Nodular/ductile cast iron all the way. Tons of options out there for them but they will take some serious abuse.

 

[bakobobby]

The stock diff covers are made out of aluminum, and will absolutely crap out on you like that. It's not uncommon to upgrade to aftermarket diff covers for this exact reason.

Nodular/ductile cast iron all the way. Tons of options out there for them but they will take some serious abuse.

I am convinced. Ordering something better. What do you recommend? I see the metalcloak option ahas a small skid that looks like it would give an extra level of protection.

 

[u-joint]

I am convinced. Ordering something better. What do you recommend? I see the metalcloak option ahas a small skid that looks like it would give an extra level of protection.

I'm still using the factory ones on my Gladiator, but on my JK I ran the Teraflex ones. Those were great quality, and fairly affordable. I'd also recommend the ARB ones for being rock solid.

The little skid plate things are necessary IMHO. I've literally seen Jeeps slides off either of those two diff covers, so it's not like they need extra protection.

While you're at it, I do recommend the extra cash for a lube locker. You'll have no good excuse anymore for inspecting your gears with each fluid change.

 

[GOCAMPN]

I had some from Dynatrac and they were beasts. You can also find diff skids that help by blocking that seam altogether from the ground


https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html

 

[rharr]

my ruby diffs are 1/8" steel. Did non rubys get aluminum covers?

 

[Hootbro]

my ruby diffs are 1/8" steel. Did non rubys get aluminum covers?

AFAIK, they are steel on the OEM covers across the model line.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

Interesting looking option.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/fabtech...m_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping

 

[jac04]

I am convinced. Ordering something better. What do you recommend? I see the metalcloak option ahas a small skid that looks like it would give an extra level of protection.

Anything with a 'skid' that wraps underneath is going to eat into your ground clearance. Remember, losing 1/4"" of ground clearance is like going down in tire size by 1/2", and nobody ever wants to do that.

IMO, your best bet is a nodular iron cover that mimics the internal shape of the factory cover. Dana offers them for both the front and rear Advantek D44:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...dana-44-advantek-front-differential-cover-kit
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/diff-covers/10040651-dana-44-advantek-rear-differential-cover-kit

 

[sass JT]

So what about protecting the drain plug from getting hit underneath on your axle? Isn’t that why jeep stopped putting them in that location starting with the 2022’s???

 

[bakobobby]

Interesting looking option.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/fabtech...m_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicshopping

That looks quite heavy duty. Reminds me of the Motobilt one. Saw it in a Litebrite vid. I was youtubing covers this morning ?

 

[bakobobby]

Anything with a 'skid' that wraps underneath is going to eat into your ground clearance. Remember, losing 1/4"" of ground clearance is like going down in tire size by 1/2", and nobody ever wants to do that.

IMO, your best bet is a nodular iron cover that mimics the internal shape of the factory cover. Dana offers them for both the front and rear Advantek D44:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...dana-44-advantek-front-differential-cover-kit
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/diff-covers/10040651-dana-44-advantek-rear-differential-cover-kit

Thank you. So is the bottom of the pumpkin pretty thick? When I hit the obstacle the other day the cover seemed to take the brunt of the damage the housing was just scratched a bit.

 

[Jeepin' John]

The oem diff covers are quite thin. Darn confident in my AEV covers - they are overkill

 

[Jeepin' John]

And on a previous jeep with a rear D44 and stock cover, i slid the rear diff forward over a rock and peeled the rear cover enough to have a slight gear oil leak. It is a thing

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