ARB Diff covers on stock JLR

[LT230SE]

Hello folks,

Posting this thread since I haven't found a clear answer to this question yet.

I have a stock height 2 door JL Rubicon and I want to put ARB diff covers on it. I'm a little concerned about fitment, especially in the front since the track bar looks somewhat close to the stock diff cover. Has anyone tried this on their own jeep?
thanks

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[autotragic]

Hello folks,

Posting this thread since I haven't found a clear answer to this question yet.

I have a stock height 2 door JL Rubicon and I want to put ARB diff covers on it. I'm a little concerned about fitment, especially in the front since the track bar looks somewhat close to the stock diff cover. Has anyone tried this on their own jeep?
thanks

It fits. The best time to do it is when installing something else like a steering stabilizer relocation bracket/new steering stabilizer because then you are going to be unbolting the track bar anyway and it reduces the amount of work overall to install the cover.

 

[LT230SE]

It fits. The best time to do it is when installing something else like a steering stabilizer relocation bracket/new steering stabilizer because then you are going to be unbolting the track bar anyway and it reduces the amount of work overall to install the cover.

Ah that's great to hear. Too bad I already did a Fox 2.0 steering stabilizer a few months ago....
Will go ahead and place the order then.

 

[bd100]

For these threads I always like to mention another option:
https://purplecranium.com/ag-432.903656-jeep-gladiator.html

Nice if towing and diff temperatures are a concern, especially in back. But no drain plug.

 

[autotragic]

For these threads I always like to mention another option:
https://purplecranium.com/ag-432.903656-jeep-gladiator.html

Nice if towing and diff temperatures are a concern, especially in back. But no drain plug.

An ARB cover is just like stock other than it's nodular Iron and thicker. It has the same internal shape for proper lubrication and holds the same amount of lube.

Hopefully OP knows to mark the fill plug dipstick before installing it though. Otherwise measure like 1-1/16th from the end of the dipstick and make a permanent mark with a scribe or something similar so you can fill the diffs properly after you've installed the cover. The front mark can be at 1 inch as it takes less than the rear, I'm assuming it has to do with the angle of the diff itself and making sure the gear oil doesn't aerate.

 

[bd100]

The nodular iron itself may be a concern, as it apparently does not conduct heat as well as the stamped steel. People who tow heavily often go for aluminum with cooling fins. Nodular iron would be almost the opposite. Whether this is relevant will depend on the individual.

I tow a 2000lb trailer, and had a rear axle fail. I don't know if it failed due to supply chain quality, factory choice of lube, or hauling the trailer up the mountains. It failed slowly months later after the mountain trip, though, and other have had them fail as well. Anyhow, for now I'm sticking with the stock cover with the guard, as we both tow and also offroad.

 

[LT230SE]

All good points.

Yes the ARB cover looks very similarly shaped to the stock Dana cover, i don't think it would disrupt fluid flow.
I'm gonna mark the dipsticks, fill with the factory spec (1qt front, 1.5qt rear) and top off as necessary.

Not doing any towing with this, that is what my F150 is for

I was able to find the covers locally yesterday, so will be installing them today and posting pics.

Thanks again to all for the help

 

[~Blue392~]

When I installed my ARB diff covers I jacked the Jeep up by the frame leaving the wheels planted. I raised the Jeep just enough for the diff to be slightly above the track bar.

 

[LT230SE]

When I installed my ARB diff covers I jacked the Jeep up by the frame leaving the wheels planted. I raised the Jeep just enough for the diff to be slightly above the track bar.

This is exactly how I did it, would not really be doable otherwise (unless you had a 2 post lift). Excellent tip

Covers installed, dipsticks marked, diffs are filled with some fresh synthetic 75W-90.

Front still takes about the same 1qt as before and rear took maybe a touch over 1.5qts

Excuse the mediocre photo quality

 

[autotragic]

Pretty sure the front needs more than 1qt but otherwise looks good. Somewhere I have the exact number.

-edit-
1.31qt-1.24L
1.83qt-1.74L

 

[Tncdrew]

Ah that's great to hear. Too bad I already did a Fox 2.0 steering stabilizer a few months ago....
Will go ahead and place the order then.

This would work great with your Fox 2.0 Stabilizer

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/prod...ing-stabilizer-relocation-bracket-kit-2018-jl

 

[bd100]

Wax the finish on occasion to keep the shiny red going.

 

[~Blue392~]

This is exactly how I did it,

…of course I meant until the track bar is slight ABOVE the diff cover. Not below…

 

[LT230SE]

Pretty sure the front needs more than 1qt but otherwise looks good. Somewhere I have the exact number.

-edit-
1.31qt-1.24L
1.83qt-1.74L

I did another drain and fill out of paranoia in case the new covers had something on then that I couldn't clean off (~100 miles or so on the fluid after driving down south today).

I don't have anything to measure with that much precision but i think I'm at 1.2qt ish in the front, maybe 1.75qt in the rear. I used 3 and a tiny bit of a fourth valvoline 1-quart bags. Indicating a touch higher than my markings on the dipstick (man those are tough to read!)

If I recall, the factory spec for the M210 with locker is 2.18pt (1.09qt) and the M220 with locker is 3.06pt (1.53qt), so I think I'm at those levels more or less.

Fluid level seems to rise a bit on the dipstick when hot.

…of course I meant until the track bar is slight ABOVE the diff cover. Not below…

"Do what I mean, not what I say"


Thanks again folks

 

[longfiredragon]

For these threads I always like to mention another option:
https://purplecranium.com/ag-432.903656-jeep-gladiator.html

Nice if towing and diff temperatures are a concern, especially in back. But no drain plug.

Thanks for posting this. I have a willys sport and the option on diff. Covers and or diff. Skid plates is more limited than the Rubicon.

I have looked at every option I could find and I have never seen PCP products before. I like that they have multiple options to include the D30/M186 diff. Included powder coating options is a nice bonus as well.

Thanks

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