Lets talk Differential Covers!

[MSFTMatt]

Right on man, thanks. I appreciate your insight on this, and all the other stuff I don’t know

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[WILDHOBO]

Right on man, thanks. I appreciate your insight on this, and all the other stuff I don’t know

I know a few of the things you don’t know. I’m guessing you know the things I don’t.

 

[DanW]

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.

Watch the Banks video on diff covers. More important than aluminum or fins is the shape. You want smooth flow of the gear lube. Many finned aluminum diff covers are flat and they disturb the smooth flow of the lube causing more distress than a standard factory cover with proper smooth flow.

I know ARB is designed with smooth flow, as is Dana/Spicer (exactly like stock). I think the AEV covers provide for smooth flow, too. I'm sure there are other good options.

Personally, I'd do with stock covers and the skids. The skids will impede air flow, anyway, so I would go for the smooth flow for the gear oil inside the stock cover. Just my 2 cents.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Watch the Banks video on diff covers. More important than aluminum or fins is the shape. You want smooth flow of the gear lube. Many finned aluminum diff covers are flat and they disturb the smooth flow of the lube causing more distress than a standard factory cover with proper smooth flow.

I know ARB is designed with smooth flow, as is Dana/Spicer (exactly like stock). I think the AEV covers provide for smooth flow, too. I'm sure there are other good options.

Personally, I'd do with stock covers and the skids. The skids will impede air flow, anyway, so I would go for the smooth flow for the gear oil inside the stock cover. Just my 2 cents.

Agreed. Thanks for bringing that up. I very much like that my cover is designed for that housing. Flow is important. If my covers ever get replaced, they’ll likely be Dana, or a company that makes gears. If revolution sells covers, that’s a great option. I bought their gear oil. Their gears. They know what will protect them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Watch the Banks video on diff covers. More important than aluminum or fins is the shape. You want smooth flow of the gear lube. Many finned aluminum diff covers are flat and they disturb the smooth flow of the lube causing more distress than a standard factory cover with proper smooth flow.

I know ARB is designed with smooth flow, as is Dana/Spicer (exactly like stock). I think the AEV covers provide for smooth flow, too. I'm sure there are other good options.

Personally, I'd do with stock covers and the skids. The skids will impede air flow, anyway, so I would go for the smooth flow for the gear oil inside the stock cover. Just my 2 cents.

That was taught us back in school about how differential gears and parts were lubricated, the spray pattern and so on - and of course my following the AMC Eagle and their recommendations fed into that. Banks just made it VISIBLE with his video. He's showing in pictures what we were taught in words and drawings.
Anyone who has been into a few differentials over the years would also see some of the lube channels, almost like funnels and passages, cast into the housing of some units.

 

[MSFTMatt]

The Banks videos were very informative. I am going to stick with stock covers with the NVM skids. When I eventually regear I’ll revisit this topic.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The Banks videos were very informative. I am going to stick with stock covers with the NVM skids. When I eventually regear I’ll revisit this topic.

I’m regeared 1.5 times now. Stock covers work fine.

 

[1Seekingzen]

ARB Diff question. Not long ago I had an ARB Diff cover put on my 2024 Mojave to help reduce towing temperatures. The Business that installed it DID NOT mark the dip stick, so I have no idea of the correct oil level. Does anyone have an ARB, and how far up the dip stick should the level be?

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