The thicker mounting flange of the ARB diff covers would cause the drain plug hole in that Maximus-3 plate to not line up with the drain plug. Also, the ARB has recessed pockets for its mounting bolt heads.I have a pair of ARB covers awaiting installation. Looks like these could be added to about any cover to provide some protection for that drain bolt. Iāve already backed out the filler bolt a bit, ground it down about 1/8ā and screwed it back in...which recessed the bolt a bit.
I hear ya, I'm in the same category! I bought one of those skids for my M186 front diff. I have a 2-door Sport and do some occasional wheeling and wanted to protect the drainplug and front of the diff from getting banged up on an obstacle. It's a great design and very budget-friendly. I installed mine in September. I haven't looked underneath to see how the paint is holding up but the metal is solid, it's a well-built piece. I can always repaint if it starts looking rusty.I know there are many skids out there but I have a RC budget. I have a JLU and will do mild to moderate off roading in the desert (Fire roads and washes with rocks).
Are they decent?
Thanks
Iāve not looked but that would certainly prevent the installation of the Maximus skid....The thicker mounting flange of the ARB diff covers would cause the drain plug hole in that Maximus-3 plate to not line up with the drain plug. Also, the ARB has recessed pockets for its mounting bolt heads.
I run one of these for my front diff. It's thick, looks like it covers all the important spots. I'd run one for the back but they don't make an M220. I haven't hit anything yet.. but I'd expect it to hold up.I know there are many skids out there but I have a RC budget. I have a JLU and will do mild to moderate off roading in the desert (Fire roads and washes with rocks).
Are they decent?
Thanks
I have this. I have always tried to avoid hitting the front differential on anything anyway and my driving habits have not changed since installing it, so I haven't actually tested it in any meaningful way. Obviously it doesn't provide maximum protection, but I am confident that the drain plug won't work it's way out. I've also found that it's much easier to place the front differential out of harms way than it is for the rear, or at least with my driving style, so I don't think a front skid is as important as the rear once the drain plug situation is resolved.Just saw these in another thread? https://maximus-3.com/suspension/jl-wrangler/maximus-3-jl-jt-drain-plug-skid. Anyone run these for minimum protection. I like the price, but you may get what you pay for?
Thanks for this. There aren't many of us with the 2-door 2.0 eTorque, and I suspect that any other combination would have worked without modification.I have the front and rear differential skids, the Jeep is a 2-door, 2.0t w/etorque. The rear skid hit the LiOn battery underneath and needed to be ground down to clear.
the notch in the upper left.
The front one couldnāt be installed with my engine skid plate (rustys).
pretty sure the back will fit now, but it got too cold and snowy to paint and install. The front will need more work.
When Installing this will I loose diff fluid? Wasn't sure with just two bolts.I have this. I have always tried to avoid hitting the front differential on anything anyway and my driving habits have not changed since installing it, so I haven't actually tested it in any meaningful way. Obviously it doesn't provide maximum protection, but I am confident that the drain plug won't work it's way out. I've also found that it's much easier to place the front differential out of harms way than it is for the rear, or at least with my driving style, so I don't think a front skid is as important as the rear once the drain plug situation is resolved.
Some day I might upgrade to other covers and not use the Maximus-3 skid, and make the drain plug a little more permanent with red locktite (which takes 550 degrees Fahrenheit to remove).