Diff Guard vrs. New Diff Cover???

kubwa_jim · 04-16-2009, 10:25 AM

There it is. I want to armour up my front D30 and rear D44 and I don't know whether to go with a diff guard (Superlift, Warrior, Rough Country, Rugged Ridge, etc) or with a differential cover replacement (Solid, Riddler, Blue Torch, etc). I'm don't want to spend stupid money on it, but I want to make sure I'm not going to peel off, split, crack, etc. my diffs. What do ya'll recommend. I know Warn, ARB, Dyntrac, and others make great products, but I think there are equally as effective products for less cash.

Also, should I be concerned with rear diff over-heating issues if I go with a replacement in the rear? I'm only running 33's with 4.10 gears, limited slip, D44, and I don't do any towing.

Thanks for the input,

Jim

SoCalJK · 04-16-2009, 10:33 AM

I went with the diff guards rather than replacement covers. Part of the reason was cost - guards are around 50% cost of replacements. Other part was I feel this actually gives extra protection. Even if the guard is badly damaged the original cover should remain intact. With a replacement cover (I know they are really thick/strong), if you crack it you are going to loose fluid. JMHO.

**RockyClymer** · 04-16-2009, 10:38 AM

x2 -when I do this it will be with guards, not new covers.

**mattman8706** · 04-16-2009, 10:48 AM

I will probably get new covers... I like the feeling of a little more protection

**N2rock** · 04-16-2009, 11:10 AM

I was originally going to do new guards because of the price difference. But back in December, Solid ran a sale on their covers- $60 shipped. Now that was a deal I couldn't pass up.

ctown67 · 04-16-2009, 11:22 AM

i like covers better, the guards i looked at seemed like little football masks which i didn't care for.

rballman · 04-16-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2rock

I was originally going to do new guards because of the price difference. But back in December, Solid ran a sale on their covers- $60 shipped. Now that was a deal I couldn't pass up.

x2...

MrShaft696 · 04-16-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctown67

i like covers better, the guards i looked at seemed like little football masks which i didn't care for.

they are tough little football masks, ive given mine numerous smacks that stop the jeep dead in its tracks & they hold up just fine. The 4X doctor brand.

kubwa_jim · 04-16-2009, 02:05 PM

Good info. Anybody got any guards they strongly recommend? Off the top of my head, I'd probably go with the Superlift, but that is a lot of money for a piece of stamped/welded grade 8 hardware. I'm wide open to suggestions.

SoCalJK · 04-16-2009, 02:46 PM

I have the Rugged Ridge and they are plenty tough. My only complaint is that they send you torx screws to replace the original bolts. I had to grind a small piece around one of the bolt holes to allow me to use the original bolts. I could have used the screws but it is much easier to torque the bolts.

**DBA2GO** · 04-16-2009, 02:59 PM

I've got Teraflex pumkin covers. They are "high-strength ductile-iron." What-the-heck that is? I had them put on when I got my gears.

**propped1** · 04-16-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBA2GO

I've got Teraflex pumkin covers. They are "high-strength ductile-iron." What-the-heck that is? I had them put on when I got my gears.

ductile iron is the same stuff used in most water main pipe. It is iron but with an alloy in it to make it flex a little before breaking. Its not as rigid/brittle as Cast Iron (you can break a cast pipe with a hammer), but tougher than aluminum (the only way you are going to cut ductile pipe is with a motorized saw).

The clutch in the 6 speed Tremtec 6060 in the Viper, Challenger and Charger this year is ductile iron and can handle 750 ft/lbs of peak torque. Strong stuff.

**fernjack** · 04-19-2009, 08:04 PM

Guards allow your diffs to run cooler !

**PSYCH0** · 02-13-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalJK

I have the Rugged Ridge and they are plenty tough. My only complaint is that they send you torx screws to replace the original bolts. I had to grind a small piece around one of the bolt holes to allow me to use the original bolts. I could have used the screws but it is much easier to torque the bolts.

How did those original bolts work for you? Were they long enough? How many lbs did you torque them to?

McKBrew · 02-13-2010, 10:26 AM

I saw the ARB covers at Northridge 4x4. They might be overkill, but they look badaxx.

Heavy as hell.

02-13-2010, 10:26 AM	#15
McKBrew I Live, I Ride, I Am Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Silverdale Posts: 2,650 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I saw the ARB covers at Northridge 4x4. They might be overkill, but they look badaxx. Heavy as hell.