I had great fun bouncing around on the 2' to 3' rocks at Schwartz Canyon... but I realized that I still have a weakness that I have not protected my rig from. Those intermediate size rocks had a tendency to move around a bit as I rolled onto or off of them. What appeared to be a good line for protecting my diffs changed under me and I banged them pretty hard a few times. So... in preparation for running the Rubicon trail next month, I am going to add some diff protection and am seeking your opinions...
Should I use a sturdy diff cover... or a diff glide plate?
Differential Cover vs. Glide Plate
Moderator: TJDave
- Rottwheeler
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:58 am
- Location: Kennewick, WA
Differential Cover vs. Glide Plate
Rottwheeler
White 13' JKU Rubicon, 3.5" Rubicon Express Super Flex suspension, 3:73s, 35" Nittos on American Racing ATX black faux bead locks... for now.
White 13' JKU Rubicon, 3.5" Rubicon Express Super Flex suspension, 3:73s, 35" Nittos on American Racing ATX black faux bead locks... for now.
I have an opinion. Up front I'm running the Warn 1/2 skid cover, because it is supposed to not interfere with the steering. In the back I am going to run the Riddler cover. It is heavy duty, is recessed as to not effect the Rubicon locker mechanism, and the price was right considering what other heavy duty covers cost. To be honest, my decisions were based on web-wheelin' and not based in real life, 'cause I have not wheeled with them on yet. So, my 2 cents might be worth half of that.
(Riddler paint job is all me.)
(Riddler paint job is all me.)
Last edited by iaccocca on Tue May 13, 2014 8:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Okay, we're a little crazy to have a Duramax for a daily driver. But if we go off our meds, we might wind up in a Prius.
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.
N7EEL WROD249
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.
N7EEL WROD249
I had the same question a few years ago and researched a little. Depending on your particular steering setup and suspension, you could run in to clearance problems with most aftermarket diff covers. Up front it's the trackbar that will usually hit at full stuff.. Out back could be the gas tank skid or trackbar.
A wise old Jeeper told me when I was picking up my rear axle I bought from him years ago..
I asked him if I should get a fancy cover for it. He said he runs Johnson Valley regularly and wouldn't bother with a rear cover unless he decided to start running it in reverse
OEM cover with a half guard or a Barnett cover give the best clearance up front.
A wise old Jeeper told me when I was picking up my rear axle I bought from him years ago..
I asked him if I should get a fancy cover for it. He said he runs Johnson Valley regularly and wouldn't bother with a rear cover unless he decided to start running it in reverse
OEM cover with a half guard or a Barnett cover give the best clearance up front.
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
- White trash
- Posts: 1763
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:38 pm
- Location: El Pasco
http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=p ... duct_id=75
I've ran covers like this and bounced them hard off of rocks with zero issues.
I've ran covers like this and bounced them hard off of rocks with zero issues.
- White trash
- Posts: 1763
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:38 pm
- Location: El Pasco
- Rottwheeler
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:58 am
- Location: Kennewick, WA
I hit a rock so hard, hidden in the snow last winter with the front diff it stopped the Jeep, and I was flying... heck the speedo was just about to start reading.
Okay, we're a little crazy to have a Duramax for a daily driver. But if we go off our meds, we might wind up in a Prius.
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.
N7EEL WROD249
If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.
N7EEL WROD249
- mattawajeep
- Posts: 1221
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 6:18 pm
- Location: Mattawa, WA
- Rottwheeler
- Posts: 244
- Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:58 am
- Location: Kennewick, WA
So... no votes for the glide plate so far eh?
I was thinking it was a viable alternative since it protects both the diff cover and the rest of the housing and u-joint area...
I've got a monster track bar that does limit the space a new front diff cover could take. Maybe the 1/2 cover is the right way to go on... thanks Lee.
I was thinking it was a viable alternative since it protects both the diff cover and the rest of the housing and u-joint area...
I've got a monster track bar that does limit the space a new front diff cover could take. Maybe the 1/2 cover is the right way to go on... thanks Lee.
Rottwheeler
White 13' JKU Rubicon, 3.5" Rubicon Express Super Flex suspension, 3:73s, 35" Nittos on American Racing ATX black faux bead locks... for now.
White 13' JKU Rubicon, 3.5" Rubicon Express Super Flex suspension, 3:73s, 35" Nittos on American Racing ATX black faux bead locks... for now.
- mattawajeep
- Posts: 1221
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 6:18 pm
- Location: Mattawa, WA
Rottwheeler wrote:So... no votes for the glide plate so far eh?
I was thinking it was a viable alternative since it protects both the diff cover and the rest of the housing and u-joint area...
I've got a monster track bar that does limit the space a new front diff cover could take. Maybe the 1/2 cover is the right way to go on... thanks Lee.
Some glide plates looks like they might actually help, and others looks like anchors. I'd with the cheaper option, I don't know if anyone has destroyed a front driveline running the trails we do out here.
A half cover is probably a good idea. This thread reminds me that I need to fix my own. Been like this for a year.
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