Differential Covers

[Viking Jeeper]

Pay close attention to diff cover design so that the flow of the diff fluid does not get interrupted. Banks did a whole video on this showing how diff cover design not properly design for internal fluid flow will cause a rise in fluid temps.

Of course Banks was promoting there diff cover but also shows fluid flow with a clear cover and from this you will be able to sort of tell what covers out there work and do not work.

The Dana and ARB are what I would pick if I was changing. On my 2015 JK I did Arb covers back then.

That video with clear covers showing the difference in cover shape was a real eye opener. I think I will stick to OEM.

 

[3TV]

Nice send out a few pictures

Maybe I didn't drag my diff skids over every rock on the Rubicon Trail, but I think it was most of them. The Next Venture diff covers, and diff skids did their job with no problem. The best part about the Next Venture diff skids is how easily they slide over rocks because of their shape.

The front diff skid has already been doing its job, and this is before even getting to the first named obstacle called The Gate Keeper. And the MetalCloak tie rod has already taken a hit, which didn't even phase it.

Did I mention there were rocks on this trail? Picture at start of Big Sluice

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That video with clear covers showing the difference in cover shape was a real eye opener. I think I will stick to OEM.

I mean, someone has to fall for their advertisement, of their cover....

 

[Focker]

Here is the follow up to my question.
I went with the Dana covers in blue to match the Jeep and did 4.88 gears. What a blast it was to drive today!

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Here is the follow up to my question.
I went with the Dana covers in blue to match the Jeep and did 4.88 gears. What a blast it was to drive today!

Are those specific to front and rear? Not sure in the 392 but in my 2006 Rubicon they are different because the fill hole is at a lower height so the front gets less fluid. Those look the same though.

 

[Ted392]

If you tow, consider changing out the oem rear axle cover. Most of the ones listed increase gear oil capacity, which helps reduce heat.

 

[redbeard719]

Are those specific to front and rear? Not sure in the 392 but in my 2006 Rubicon they are different because the fill hole is at a lower height so the front gets less fluid. Those look the same though.

The diff covers are axle-specific. There are slight differences in sizes despite the otherwise similar appearance. The bolt holes are not the same on the front as they are the rear.

 

[Earl 392]

Here is the follow up to my question.
I went with the Dana covers in blue to match the Jeep and did 4.88 gears. What a blast it was to drive today!

Nice

 

[Focker]

If you tow, consider changing out the oem rear axle cover. Most of the ones listed increase gear oil capacity, which helps reduce heat.

I don't do any towing (yet). Not sure about capacity but Scott at Cloakworks thinks these are good choice for strength and overall design so I went with them. Everyone's suggestion were helpful in me going over options with him. I did not love the Metalcloak cover at all. Side note: I changed out my axles to RCV front and rear while they were in there.

 

[@WhiteBronze392]

I don't do any towing (yet). Not sure about capacity but Scott at Cloakworks thinks these are good choice for strength and overall design so I went with them. Everyone's suggestion were helpful in me going over options with him. I did not love the Metalcloak cover at all. Side note: I changed out my axles to RCV front and rear while they were in there.

Nice

 

[Bart C]

That video with clear covers showing the difference in cover shape was a real eye opener. I think I will stick to OEM.

Do you have a link to the video? sounds interesting and I'd like to understand the shape issue better. Had MetalCloak on my '20 Rubicon as well and no issues, but...

 

[Ted392]

Do you have a link to the video? sounds interesting and I'd like to understand the shape issue better. Had MetalCloak on my '20 Rubicon as well and no issues, but...

There are several from Banks.

I have oem ones still installed.

 

[Bart C]

There are several from Banks.

I have oem ones still installed.

Thank you very much. Something to seriously consider. Banks is good stuff but I'd like to see some competitive info. Anything from a manufacturer is naturally going to be slanted toward their product line and he's a pretty emotional tech. Might make me change my MC cover but I'd like to learn more. Very good info to consider.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Yes, that is the video I was referring to.

 

[KTM300-152S]

I think Next Venture makes the best quality differential skid plates, and they are designed to fit with their differential covers, so that is what I went with . There is nothing wrong with Motobilt though. They would have been my second choice, and they also work with the Next Venture diff skids.

+1 for the Next Venture skids and diff plates.

 

[Bart C]

+1 for the Next Venture skids and diff plates.

Will take a look at Motobilt. Not familiar with them. I have MetalCloak and am very happy with the diff skids. Again, built to work with their diff cover. Seems everyone has a proprietary solution.

 

[Jeepherz]

ARB all the way. Beat the crap out of mine on my JK. (That is not a current photo- just showing the optional slider. I never once got caught on that though everyone will tell you it will. I rock crawled for 5 years with it.) Someone mentioned the opening for diff fluid being a possible point of failure. The entire reason I suggest the ARB is the (magnetic!) dipstick is at the top. It allows for simple fluid checks as often as you want. Or- let's say your locker fails because someone forgot to lock-tite the bolts. And you discover this the week before running Rubicon.
The dipstick on my ARB cover held a gob-stopper sized glob of metal shavings out of my gears. Can't prove it but I feel pretty strongly feel that it saved my gears.

 

[Bart C]

ARB all the way. Beat the crap out of mine on my JK. (That is not a current photo- just showing the optional slider. I never once got caught on that though everyone will tell you it will. I rock crawled for 5 years with it.) Someone mentioned the opening for diff fluid being a possible point of failure. The entire reason I suggest the ARB is the (magnetic!) dipstick is at the top. It allows for simple fluid checks as often as you want. Or- let's say your locker fails because someone forgot to lock-tite the bolts. And you discover this the week before running Rubicon.
The dipstick on my ARB cover held a gob-stopper sized glob of metal shavings out of my gears. Can't prove it but I feel pretty strongly feel that it saved my gears.

That's a pretty sweet set up. Have never had any ARB stuff but that looks like a great option to consider. Thank you.

 

[Excaliburitto]

ARB is great, had it on my JK too.

On the 392 though I would be reluctant to replace the one on the rear diff with nodular iron ones (including ARB I think) if TOWING due to it inability to dissipate heat as good as the OEM one.

At least that's what seems to be the overall consensus on the forums. Also, all the bangs and scratches I ever got were on the front diff anyway. The rear one is protected unless you back up into something.

 

[Bart C]

ARB is great, had it on my JK too.

On the 392 though I would be reluctant to replace the one on the rear diff with nodular iron ones (including ARB I think) if TOWING due to it inability to dissipate heat as good as the OEM one.

At least that's what seems to be the overall consensus on the forums. Also, all the bangs and scratches I ever got were on the front diff anyway. The rear one is protected unless you back up into something.

Good input, Thx. I put the MetalCloak skid on the rear as well so I should be in pretty good regardless of what direction I'd hit.