List of Differential Skids (front and rear)

[RubiTuesday]

Here's a list of all the known front and rear differential skids. If you find more, let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Front:

DV8 - $150
Maximus-3 (drain plug skid) - $50
Metal Cloak (includes MC front diff cover) - $130
Next Venture - $280/$300 $320/$370
Rancho - $160
Rancho (M186) - $160
Rough Country (M186) - $75
Rough Country (M210) - $90


Rear:

DV8 - $210
Metal Cloak - $177
Next Venture - $260/$280 $290/$340
Rancho - $160
Rough Country (M200) - $80
Rough Country (M220) - $90


*Note these may interfere with other aftermarket products
-The MetalCloak rear diff skid is known to interfere with some rear track bar relocation brackets, the Metalcloak rear diff skid doesn't interfere with the Synergy rear track bar relocation bracket (ref).

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[LooselyHeldPlans]

Rough Country will be releasing their front skid for the Rubi axel in the next 2 months.

 

[HellaJL2817]

How are those rough country front diff skid plates for sport? For Moderate off-road

 

[ThirtyOne]

How are those rough country front diff skid plates for sport? For Moderate off-road

I have it. It is better than nothing.

 

[Headbarcode]

*Note these may interfere with other aftermarket products
-The MetalCloak rear diff skid is known to interfere with some rear track bar relocation brackets

For the sake of information sharing, the Metalcloak rear diff skid doesn't interfere with the Synergy rear track bar relocation bracket. This particular bracket design doesn't rely on a ubolt further inboard on the axle tube.

 

[A Sober Animal]

Couple more: DV8 & Artec

 

[Rangemaster]

Here's a list of all the known front and rear differential skids. If you find more, let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Front:

DV8 - $153
Metal Cloak (includes MC front diff cover) - $130
Next Venture - $280/$300
Rancho - $160
Rancho (M186) - $160
Rough Country (M186) - $75


Rear:

DV8 - $214
Metal Cloak - $170
Next Venture - $260/$280
Rancho - $160
Rough Country (M200) - $80


*Note these may interfere with other aftermarket products
-The MetalCloak rear diff skid is known to interfere with some rear track bar relocation brackets, the Metalcloak rear diff skid doesn't interfere with the Synergy rear track bar relocation bracket (ref).

I ended up going with the next venture skids. No issues so far.

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/jl-rds-m220

 

[Creeker]

My JLR has the front and rear diff skids from Next Venture Motorsports.
They are amazing. Super strong. And they protect the pinion.

Front:

Rear:

IMHO, NVM should rename them from Diff Skids to Rock Bashers.

 

[Rangemaster]

My JLR has the front and rear diff skids from Next Venture Motorsports.
They are amazing. Super strong. And they protect the pinion.

Front:

Rear:

IMHO, NVM should rename them from Diff Skids to Rock Bashers.

That is why I chose these.

 

[4xFUN]

I also have the Next Venture rear diff skid and without a doubt it is the most overbuilt diff skid on the market! Great design for maximum protection from pinion to past the diff cover and built from 3/8" and 1/4" steel, I have seen no other rear diff skid as beefy or as well designed...Pricey but worth it!

On the front I am using Metalcloak's diff skid (Next Venture's front skid was not available when I installed) and I like it. While not nearly as beefy as Next Ventures, it is designed for maximum clearance and offers good protection for the ridiculously placed bottom mounted drain plug...Also, at just $130 for both the front diff cover (have to use their cover with skid) and skid plate, it's a heck of a value!

 

[Rangemaster]

That is why I chose these.

me too, but the rear can be a real bear to install.

 

[AnnDee4444]

Here's a list of all the known front and rear differential skids. If you find more, let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Front:

DV8 - $153
Metal Cloak (includes MC front diff cover) - $130
Next Venture - $280/$300
Rancho - $160
Rancho (M186) - $160
Rough Country (M186) - $75


Rear:

DV8 - $214
Metal Cloak - $170
Next Venture - $260/$280
Rancho - $160
Rough Country (M200) - $80


*Note these may interfere with other aftermarket products
-The MetalCloak rear diff skid is known to interfere with some rear track bar relocation brackets, the Metalcloak rear diff skid doesn't interfere with the Synergy rear track bar relocation bracket (ref).

Not sure if this counts, but it's something: https://maximus-3.com/suspension/jl-wrangler/maximus-3-jl-jt-drain-plug-skid

 

[xtremejoe]

I'm also looking at doing skids as I have it on my old crawler (welded in). My only concern with these JL models is that they are attached to the dif covers. Take a hard hit and mess up an axle bolt could be problematic. Anyone have any issues or concerns?

 

[Creeker]

The diff skids from NVM bolt to the diff cover and are also supported by the diffs themselves.
So far, no issues, and don't think there will be any issues.

 

[BruceA78]

I also have the Next Venture rear diff skid and without a doubt it is the most overbuilt diff skid on the market! Great design for maximum protection from pinion to past the diff cover and built from 3/8" and 1/4" steel, I have seen no other rear diff skid as beefy or as well designed...Pricey but worth it!

On the front I am using Metalcloak's diff skid (Next Venture's front skid was not available when I installed) and I like it. While not nearly as beefy as Next Ventures, it is designed for maximum clearance and offers good protection for the ridiculously placed bottom mounted drain plug...Also, at just $130 for both the front diff cover (have to use their cover with skid) and skid plate, it's a heck of a value!

Quick question for you, I am about ready to install the Metalcloak differential cover and diff skid on the front, but on their website they have a disclaimer that says " Track Bars: The MetalCloak Front Dana M210 Differential Cover does not work with the front stock track bar."
https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-jt-gladiator-front-differential-cover-skid-plate-kit.html

Can anyone explain what exactly they mean by that? Do I have to replace the stock track bar as well???

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