Diff Cover Upgrade vs Diff Skids vs both?

[Hollymav]

Hey everyone. Have a 2019 JLU Rubicon build that's becoming an overloading rig while doing some moderate rock climbing as well. Have the 2.5" Teraflex ST2 with Fox shocks and 37s on her.

I want to protect the belly. Step 1 for me will be my diffs and I have been considering upgrading to the ARB covers.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/arb/com...rangler-jl-gladiator-jt/rear-m220-red-0750012

When reading the description it states "For increased durability and reduced flex, ARB uses a cross-brace design that adds more than 1300 Nm/deg (960 ft/lbs) of torsional rigidity to the entire axle assembly".

So, first question...does this mean the axles will be stronger? I've added a lot of weight and haven't upgraded the axles (yet) so will this be helpful in that regard?

Next question...since these are tougher...do I still need skids? Or should I just add the upgraded covers and skip the skids?

As for skids, I've been kicking around the MetalCloak for the front and rear since I've been considering their total armor package. Although the front skid from them requires their own replacement diff cover so maybe this isn't the best option if wanting to upgrade to ARB covers? Or is their cover just as good? I guess I could always go with a different skid than these as well.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate-dsp.html
https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html


Let me know what you all think!

Thanks!!

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[rubileon]

So, first question...does this mean the axles will be stronger? I've added a lot of weight and haven't upgraded the axles (yet) so will this be helpful in that regard?

No. You need stronger gears to take more load and having better gearing will put less strain on the drive train when carrying weight and turning heavy wheels.

Next question...since these are tougher...do I still need skids? Or should I just add the upgraded covers and skip the skids?

It's always better to bash the skid plates than your expensive axles.

 

[4xFUN]

I recently installed the Metalcloak front differential cover and skid mainly to protect the exposed bottom mount drain plug on the front axle. Overall I think it is a good design that maximizes ground clearance and is very cost effective. I also added their FAD skid-this I like a lot, sits high and flush.

For the rear I went with Next Venture Motorsports differential cover and RDS, guys this is the real deal if you plan to crush rocks! Built from 1/4" and 3/8" steel, it wraps the the entire rear differential in a smooth, tapered (for maximum clearance) protective steel case from the pinion to just past the cover. It is a bit pricy but you do get what you paid for!
Next Venture is also now offering a front version but I have not seen it and already had the Metalcloak one ordered...

 

[Hollymav]

Very nice! I haven't pulled the trigger on any yet so may look into those too.

Is there benefit to upgrading the diff covers too? Or is that overkill if I'm going to do skids regardless.

 

[4xFUN]

Very nice! I haven't pulled the trigger on any yet so may look into those too.

Is there benefit to upgrading the diff covers too? Or is that overkill if I'm going to do skids regardless.

For the Metalcloak front skid you have to use their cover-the front skid bolts to special cast threaded bosses on the front cover.
The Next Venture Motorsports RDS needs to mount to a thick, flat surface and most differential covers will not work.

 

[Hollymav]

For the Metalcloak front skid you have to use their cover-the front skid bolts to special cast threaded bosses on the front cover.
The Next Venture Motorsports RDS needs to mount to a thick, flat surface and most differential covers will not work.

That all makes sense. But is there benefit to upgrading the covers at all if I add the skids? Overkill?

 

[4xFUN]

That all makes sense. But is there benefit to upgrading the covers at all if I add the skids? Overkill?

That is a question only you can answer, based on how and where you off-road. In Arizona we have lots of rocks, big rocks...However just adding differential skid plates that bolt on using OEM covers will be a huge help. I was looking for diff skids that provided added protection and maximized ground clearance.

 

[Sheepjeep]

the main reason for the diff covers is to protect the inner workings of the diff from rock damage where the cover can be bent or punctured causing the gears to blow up, the diff skids provide some of that coverage but does not protect if that well from head on hit. Beefy cover will make the housing stronger but only with the pumpkin deflection and not really a noticeable upgrade so thats more a marketing thing

the skid plate for the most part act as guide plates providing smooth belly for the diff to glide over rocks with rather than get hung up on the fins and hard edges on the housing, the other benefit is with the front skids provide protection for the front drain plug which is on the bottom facing the ground, the plug can become damaged and hard to remove or it can spin loose going over rocks

the other benefit that some skid plates provide but not all is protection for the yoke, it is common to get hung up on a rock on the yoke and as you try to drive forward all it is doing is just spinning on the yoke

so to recap diff cover, you should do this if plan on doing any off roading and go with the skid if you notice you are having issues that it could solve

as for beefing up your axle for more weight the 2 things you can do to help is 1 get chromo or rcv shafts and 2 look into a truss to help prevent the tube from bending

 

[Headbarcode]

Hey everyone. Have a 2019 JLU Rubicon build that's becoming an overloading rig while doing some moderate rock climbing as well. Have the 2.5" Teraflex ST2 with Fox shocks and 37s on her.

I want to protect the belly. Step 1 for me will be my diffs and I have been considering upgrading to the ARB covers.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/arb/com...rangler-jl-gladiator-jt/rear-m220-red-0750012

When reading the description it states "For increased durability and reduced flex, ARB uses a cross-brace design that adds more than 1300 Nm/deg (960 ft/lbs) of torsional rigidity to the entire axle assembly".

So, first question...does this mean the axles will be stronger? I've added a lot of weight and haven't upgraded the axles (yet) so will this be helpful in that regard?

Next question...since these are tougher...do I still need skids? Or should I just add the upgraded covers and skip the skids?

As for skids, I've been kicking around the MetalCloak for the front and rear since I've been considering their total armor package. Although the front skid from them requires their own replacement diff cover so maybe this isn't the best option if wanting to upgrade to ARB covers? Or is their cover just as good? I guess I could always go with a different skid than these as well.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate-dsp.html
https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html


Let me know what you all think!

Thanks!!

I recently switched out the factory covers for the ARB ones. If you go that route, they are both 12 bolt covers not 10 like in your link. Also, i got mine through Just Differentials.

 

[offcamber]

Running Metalcloak diff covers with skids (including diff skids)

 

[TxJeepers]

Putting ARB on the Rubi in the next couple weeks when i get it regeared to 5.13s. Going to have the shop do a quick little tack weld on the factory drain plug.

 

[bbq4133]

Any idea if those Poison Spyder Dana 44 covers are compatible with the JL/JLU Rubi?

 

[JeepSmash]

Judging by the amount of damage to my diff skids. I’d say if you’re only doing one. Get the skids.

 

[TxJeepers]

Any idea if those Poison Spyder Dana 44 covers are compatible with the JL/JLU Rubi?

JL diffs are different than JK diffs.

 

[bbq4133]

JL diffs are different than JK diffs.

Well that explains that doesn't it lol.

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