Diff Skid Plate vs. Diff Cover

[MBurgJL]

I'm looking to protect my diff's for rock crawling. I've seen options to replace the diff covers or to add diff skid plates. Skid plates seem to lose a little bit of ground clearance, but offer the ability to slide over obstacles easier than diff covers. Please share with me the pro's and con's of each as you see them. I want to decide which is the better option for my JLUR.

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[MBurgJL]

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

I prefer skids since they prevent shit from actually hitting diffs, plus they’ll save your drain plug.

 

[MBurgJL]

I prefer skids since they prevent shit from actually hitting diffs, plus they’ll save your drain plug.

Thank you.

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

Thank you.

I can only find a rear diff skid (Metalcloak), have you seen any for the front?

 

[MBurgJL]

I can only find a rear diff skid (Metalcloak), have you seen any for the front?

Rancho makes a front and rear. @CloakedJL said they are working on a front skid "They are shooting to have it before end of year..." I'm not sure about anyone else.

 

[Arrowhead]

Rancho has them for JL 30 and 44 front

https://www.4wd.com/p/2018-Jeep-Wra...Zbxqe1emDh2X5NlLMC8fxlU2sf-mesfRoCkToQAvD_BwE


https://www.4wd.com/p/rancho-front-dana-44-glide-plate-rs62116/_/R-BCKM-RS62116

 

[MBurgJL]

Rancho has them for JL 30 and 44 front

https://www.4wd.com/p/2018-Jeep-Wra...Zbxqe1emDh2X5NlLMC8fxlU2sf-mesfRoCkToQAvD_BwE


https://www.4wd.com/p/rancho-front-dana-44-glide-plate-rs62116/_/R-BCKM-RS62116

Do you use diff skids, diff covers or both?

 

[StammesOpfer]

I can only find a rear diff skid (Metalcloak), have you seen any for the front?

Rockhard 4x4 has the "hardhat" take a look and see if that fits your needs and then double check with them that it fits the JL D44

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-9051.htm

 

[Arrowhead]

Do you use diff skids, diff covers or both?

Neither yet. I think the Rancho units are adequate for the wheeling I do though.

 

[ChattVol]

Rockhard 4x4 has the "hardhat" take a look and see if that fits your needs and then double check with them that it fits the JL D44

https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-9051.htm

Are you using this? It looks like it provides a little higher clearance vs Metalcloak diff skid. I wonder how it compares in terms of protection?

 

[StammesOpfer]

Are you using this? It looks like it provides a little higher clearance vs Metalcloak diff skid. I wonder how it compares in terms of protection?

I am not using the hardhat. I am not a fan of using the diff cover bolts to hold the skid.

I have the metalcloak rear diff skid. I like that the MC has different hardware and really it is just holding it up. On impact the bolts they do use really aren't subject to a ton of force. And it is longer so it is more likely to slide over something rather than take direct impact.

For the front diff you are more limited though since there isn't a great way to build slider style protection. If there isn't something I like better before I do my first diff fuild change then I will probably go with the rancho for the front.

 

[ChattVol]

I am not using the hardhat. I am not a fan of using the diff cover bolts to hold the skid.

I have the metalcloak rear diff skid. I like that the MC has different hardware and really it is just holding it up. On impact the bolts they do use really aren't subject to a ton of force. And it is longer so it is more likely to slide over something rather than take direct impact.

For the front diff you are more limited though since there isn't a great way to build slider style protection. If there isn't something I like better before I do my first diff fuild change then I will probably go with the rancho for the front.

Gotcha...unfortunately, looks like the Metalcloak rear diff skid won't work with the RK rear trackbar relocation bracket. Thoughts?

 

[StammesOpfer]

Gotcha...unfortunately, looks like the Metalcloak rear diff skid won't work with the RK rear trackbar relocation bracket. Thoughts?

I would probably go rancho then since they protect the drain plugs and give you a little bit of slide.

 

[Martindfletcher]

I would probably go rancho then since they protect the drain plugs and give you a little bit of slide.

The Rancho works fine RK relo, i had the same issue with MC skid.

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