ARB diff covers for the JL

[D60]

Those who have swapped the covers. Did you re-use the factory cover gasket?

Absolutely. I'm running the Spicer aftermarket up front and re-used the gasket. It's great that OEM's are finally getting on board with quality, reusable gaskets.

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[Rodeoflyer]

Thank you sir. I've reused them on the powerwagon three times so far no leaks... I figured the jeep had the same solid core reusable.

 

[Hudson]

Those who have swapped the covers. Did you re-use the factory cover gasket?

no, the metal cloak covers include a tube of rtv.

 

[DHW]

I installed the AEV covers a month or two ago and reused the gaskets. Have had no issues.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Mine are installed. The stock gaskets are great..

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Can anyone show me the dipstick fluid level on the ARB covers? I just fluid swapped mine again today after 2k miles but guessed on the fluid level (about 1.5'' from the dipstick bottom). Should be close but I typically run diff fluid a tad low to save the axle seals.

 

[Jgc650i]

TBH, hadn’t really given any thought. It’s in a vulnerable spot for sure but at some point I may just add a skid plate to double up on protection.

Curious, did you ever add a skid to the front differential that worked with the ARB cover? If so, what did you go with?

 

[JPAloha]

Curious, did you ever add a skid to the front differential that worked with the ARB cover? If so, what did you go with?

Not yet, we have enough ground clearance with the lift and tires that I don’t see it as a big enough risk area to double up on the protection. At some point I may get the axles drain plug welded into place as the cover provides that function.

 

[CherryOnTop]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't care for any of the differential skid plates currently on sale. The Rancho sticks out too far & looks like a giant shovel. Also I would still want a stronger differential cover with the Rancho anyway. The Metalcloak rear looks like a diaper (although, it does look better painted black). The Metalcloack front is my favorite, but I wish it extended back to the pinion, and was available for the rear in the same style. All add weight and reduce clearance.

The ARB covers actually increase clearance, and the included drain plug allows me to abandon the OEM front axle's drain plug.

I'm with you. There comes a point where skids become just another thing to reduce GC and get caught on things. You're buying the ARB diff cover to make your diff. bullet proof so why the need for a skid? I've bashed mine off plenty of rocks and the rocks always lost (or at worst hung me up).

 

[grimmjeeper]

I'm with you. There comes a point where skids become just another thing to reduce GC and get caught on things. You're buying the ARB diff cover to make your diff. bullet proof so why the need for a skid? I've bashed mine off plenty of rocks and the rocks always lost (or at worst hung me up).

The only reason I have skids is because my diffs came with drain plugs in the housing. Dragging them over rocks can damage them. If I had diffs with no drain plugs I'd skip the skids.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I'm with you. There comes a point where skids become just another thing to reduce GC and get caught on things. You're buying the ARB diff cover to make your diff. bullet proof so why the need for a skid? I've bashed mine off plenty of rocks and the rocks always lost (or at worst hung me up).

Since I wrote that I ended up getting NextVenture's rear skid & Maximus-3's front drain plug skid. It might be my driving style but I find it much easier to place the front differential, where as the rear seems to always get hung up. Grinding down the differential's reinforcement fins on rocks is what pushed me towards a rear skid instead of a cover.

The rear skid is in my opinion the least visibly obvious (when painted black) out of all available options, although it does add quite a bit of weight. I also had a slight interference issue with my 2-door's stock eTorque battery skid, which was fixed with some minor clearancing on a weld. It's also ridiculously strong... NextVenture builds some nice stuff.

I figured the front drain plug skid was the absolute minimum needed, and haven't found myself wanting anything additional. I highly doubt I will ever feel the need for a front cover.

 

[JLUR Farout]

I'm trying to figure out why Jeep removed the drain plugs from the differentials on my 2023 Rubicon FarOut. My 2018 JK Rubicon Recon had side positioned drain plugs. Never had an issue, fluid changes were a snap, and the heavy cast covers were awesome. Granted, 2 door to 4 door, but I cannot understand how MSRP goes from $43,000 to $70,000 and the drain plugs on the differentials have to go away.

 

[word302]

I'm trying to figure out why Jeep removed the drain plugs from the differentials on my 2023 Rubicon FarOut. My 2018 JK Rubicon Recon had side positioned drain plugs. Never had an issue, fluid changes were a snap, and the heavy cast covers were awesome. Granted, 2 door to 4 door, but I cannot understand how MSRP goes from $43,000 to $70,000 and the drain plugs on the differentials have to go away.

Because drain plugs on an off-road vehicle are a bad idea. Just pull the cover. Great time to inspect the differential anyways.

 

[intentsrig]

Do the Spicer or ARB covers still fit on the "updated" 22-23 housings? Doing some reading I was seeing that Artec's truss requires extra trimming work to fit with the newer housings, front specifically, so I was hoping all the diff covers still fit.

 

[CherryOnTop]

The only reason I have skids is because my diffs came with drain plugs in the housing. Dragging them over rocks can damage them. If I had diffs with no drain plugs I'd skip the skids.

I know this is an old thread but need to comment on this …. My diffs have drain plugs - but myARB diff covers also have a drain plug that is recessed into the cover. If my factory drain plug gets rashed I don’t care because the ARB one will still be OK. And it comes with an attached rare-earth magnet to capture any metallic fragments that may be floating around in my gear oil.

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