Diff Cover Experts Weigh In

[Aonar]

There is no contest between the two. The manual for the ARB covers says that it improves looks underneath by 300% AND it comes in red...

But seriously, you make valid points. I wonder if the fill cap on the AEV is plastic though, I wouldn't like that.

At the 11:35 mark he discusses the upper fill plug. Sounds heavy when he puts it down on the bench but cannot be sure. I suspect because they stress their cover is made from nodular iron, it too would be of the same material.

I am planning on the AEV's as soon as the tax refund comes back.

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[Headbarcode]

Thanks. That's what I was leaning towards as well.

I've got the Metalcloak rear diff skid, but nothing on the front yet. I plan on replacing it with with Next Ventures skid plate and the matching one for the front. A skid mounted to the diff housing will be a lot stronger for sliding than one that is integrated into the cover that is also acting as a possible lever against the lip of the cover and its bolts.

 

[Headbarcode]

trailer queen.

Hey! That grass is dirtier than it looks, pal! ?

 

[Aonar]

haha, that AEV cover video did not address the drain pull issue.

What is the "drain pull issue"?

 

[micahpop]

What is the "drain pull issue"?

It's when the diff cover is misaligned and the drain wants to always pull a little left or right... depends on which hemisphere you live in.

 

[micahpop]

There is no contest between the two. The manual for the ARB covers says that it improves looks underneath by 300% AND it comes in red...

But seriously, you make valid points. I wonder if the fill cap on the AEV is plastic though, I wouldn't like that.

The AEV fill caps are definitely not plastic. So says the magnet.

 

[Aonar]

The AEV fill caps are definitely not plastic. So says the magnet.

Tend to agree but I am in process of emailing them now to ask.
Email process not very easy to deal with. Will try to call tomorrow.

 

[micahpop]

Ummm, I meant I just checked them with a magnet. Sorry, I wasn't clear...

 

[Aonar]

Ummm, I meant I just checked them with a magnet. Sorry, I wasn't clear...

COOL - THX (or i was just a bit dense )

 

[brewski]

My intent is to add an ARB locker and there cover. But after seeing this I don't know if ARBs cover is better then stock. I get the rock crawling but I do more highway driving then any kind of severe rock crawling.
I'd like to see one.

If you offroad, just going over rocks you can hit your rear diff pumpkin quite easily and especially if you're lower experienced. Not rock crawling, any trail that has some rocks which are 10in or more protruding out of the dirt. Front diff can be hit, but is not as common. Scraping the rear diff or backing into a rock because you didn't make it up something is quite common. Rear diff is a good thing to do.

There is no contest between the two. The manual for the ARB covers says that it improves looks underneath by 300% AND it comes in red...

But seriously, you make valid points. I wonder if the fill cap on the AEV is plastic though, I wouldn't like that.

What would make you think it is plastic? it is that hammered powdercoating just like the cover. It is metal.

 

[BDinTX]

It just looks like it would be a pretty intricate casting or milling if it were metal. So you're saying you have one and can confirm the fill cap is not plastic? Edit: I see @micahpop tested it and found it to be metal. Good to know they didn't cheap out.

 

[Rangemaster]

I went with the Next Venture diff covers.
https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/dana-m210-front-differential-cover

they are still in the box, just waiting for time to have them installed.

 

[grimmjeeper]

BTW, Banks did a very good job explaining and demonstrating how important the curve is and how without the oil gets air whipped into it. I had a high dollar($285), high capacity aluminum aftermarket mag-tech cover on my Ram 3500. Pulled it and put the factory unit on as soon as I saw Banks video. Live and learn.

What he conveniently left out was any information about how many differentials fail due to lack of oil to the pinion when using other diff covers. And I've never heard of anyone who has even heard of a failure, much less experienced one.

Sure, he told us all about the features he likes in his diff covers but like all other advertising campaigns he leaves out a lot.

 

[brewski]

It just looks like it would be a pretty intricate casting or milling if it were metal. So you're saying you have one and can confirm the fill cap is not plastic? Edit: I see @micahpop tested it and found it to be metal. Good to know they didn't cheap out.

It is most likely casted and then secondary operation on a mill to add threads. Same with the diff cover. Something like this is very easy to make, and metal parts with threads are machined at some point in the process.

 

[BDinTX]

What he conveniently left out was any information about how many differentials fail due to lack of oil to the pinion when using other diff covers. And I've never heard of anyone who has even heard of a failure, much less experienced one.

Sure, he told us all about the features he likes in his diff covers but like all other advertising campaigns he leaves out a lot.

Around the 5:45 mark he says "...it became clear that the shape of the cover and its distance from the ring gear was critical in getting the lube to flow over the top and out to the ring gear pinion interface with minimal work being done to the fluid." and then goes on to talk about lubricant foaming and overheating.

Banks has been in diesel performance for a long time and it's obvious from the video they did some testing. I don't think that can be said for all the diff cover manufacturers out there.

Ya'll can believe what you want though, I'm not making money from any of these companies.

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