Metalcloak front diff skid - who is using one or has used one?

[Sw00per]

Looking for some folks with experience with the current gen. I see it as extra insurance as it is not an expensive part https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-stock-differential-cover-skid-plate.html

I have read and been told aftermarket HD diff covers are a better option but I am not sold on that. I have also read about folks doing both. What is driving this is a planned EJS trip in 2025.

Thanks in advance!

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[rharr]

i have the cover and skid, All we have here is sharp edge rocks and more rocks. So i rather not bend or hole my oem cover, just got the skid cause it wasn't much more to add and offers some added protection for stuffing the carrier on a rock and cracking it. Allegedly these new diff housing are made thinner then one 30 years ago.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...rential-cover-skid-plate-rubicon-edition.html

 

[Viper501]

Research the diff cover before you get the Metalcloak one. There are some who contend that the gears need to spin the fluid through the arc of the factory style diff cover to lubricate the gears completely. There are similarly shaped cast iron ones out there that are supposed to maintain that function.

 

[Sw00per]

Research the diff cover before you get the Metalcloak one. There are some who contend that the gears need to spin the fluid through the arc of the factory style diff cover to lubricate the gears completely. There are similarly shaped cast iron ones out there that are supposed to maintain that function.

At this point thinking of only using the cover for the stock diff cover. The HD one would be a future upgrade if\as needed. I suspect at some point I will go with bigger tires which will need a regear.

 

[Commodus]

I have Metalcloak’s first design cover and skid not just to protect the dif. But also the drain plug. I have a Rubicon with no lift so I needed to go with their track bar for the clearance of the dif. Cover at full flex This has worked out great for me

 

[Mojave20]

I have the Metalcloak with the stock cover. I’ve drug it a few times & has held up well. Mine is a 2020 so I wanted to protect the drain plug. If I didn’t have the front drain plug I probably would have went with the Motobilt cover like I have on the rear.

 

[Minty JL]

I have the MC front diff cover/skid plate as well, no issues here

 

[Sikjeep2]

Just get a diff cover. Skid plate is not really needed.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Looking for some folks with experience with the current gen. I see it as extra insurance as it is not an expensive part https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-stock-differential-cover-skid-plate.html

I have read and been told aftermarket HD diff covers are a better option but I am not sold on that. I have also read about folks doing both. What is driving this is a planned EJS trip in 2025.

Thanks in advance!

A well made diff skid will make it so you don’t need an aftermarket cover.

That said, I’d recommend next venture motorsports for their diff skids. They protect the covers so well that I don’t have a single scratch on either of mine. And my diff skids look like they went through a war.

 

[ArizonaJeeper]

Any chance this would fit the 2024 JT Rubi?

 

[Dale Vinson]

Don’t even get me started! I have a 2021 JTR and ordered their cover and skid. When I had it regeared the shop said it wouldn’t bolt up. MC says I have one of a few “unicorns” that it won’t work on! So now I have their cover installed & had to send back the skid plate!

 

[WILDHOBO]

Don’t get me wrong. I love metalcloak and have their products on my Jeep. But when it comes to diff skids, next venture’s product is far better and far more protective.

 

[rharr]

Don’t even get me started! I have a 2021 JTR and ordered their cover and skid. When I had it regeared the shop said it wouldn’t bolt up. MC says I have one of a few “unicorns” that it won’t work on! So now I have their cover installed & had to send back the skid plate!

THey have 2 versions of the skids based on the mid year axle change. Should be able to call them and work out the skid you need. Happened to me, just did a RMA and they sent a new skid, pretty painless.

 

[Viper501]

A well made diff skid will make it so you don’t need an aftermarket cover.

That said, I’d recommend next venture motorsports for their diff skids. They protect the covers so well that I don’t have a single scratch on either of mine. And my diff skids look like they went through a war.

Wow! https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/jl-rds-m220 That thing is built like a tank. Front is https://nextventuremotorsports.com/...rential-armor/products/jl-front-diff-skid-fds

 

[Dale Vinson]

I went back and forth for 6 months waiting on them to come up with the correct front diff skid & they never did. Emails and phone calls with Metalcloak, but no resolution. Their response was that in 2020-2021 Jeep was mixing parts & that I probably have som

THey have 2 versions of the skids based on the mid year axle change. Should be able to call them and work out the skid you need. Happened to me, just did a RMA and they sent a new skid, pretty painless.

I spent almost a year going back and forth with Metalcloak. They say there is a third differential, and they have not been able to get one in their shop to do a mock up. I finally had to give up.

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