Diff covers and Diff Skids?

[ColoradoWino]

Hey all, getting ready to do some armoring and got a question. Jeep is a stock JL Willys 2.0t unlimited. The only thing I have done to it is add Apex Autolynx and it has improved the ride greatly.

Doing moderate trails (Nothing crazy) but I have scraped quite a bit as I am still figuring this offroad thing out and picking lines to miss diffs is something I am working on when weather improves. I have good teachers. Stock Firestone MT 32" tires but will go to 33" when the time comes, won't probably go 35" for now as this is the wifes daily and regear is something we are going to wait on after we get some more experience to see what kind of trails we are going to do.
With that said, do I need to do both diff covers AND diff skids? Or based on my intended usage, can I get away with just the diff skids? Thinking maybe Rancho skids but what are some of the other options that may not sacrifice ground clearance?

Thanks again for your knowledge everyone, I very much appreciate it.

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[leeshuming]

Definitely skids first..

In fact, I would also suggest rear lower control arm skids.. (axle side, bolt on ones are good enough. I run Rusty's.)

 

[ManOfSteel_Rust]

Welcome to the offroad world!

Diff skid plates will always sacrifice some ground clearance...depending on the manufacture it might be 1/4-1/2".

I have wheeled a ton of different set ups from Dana 30 to Dana 80 axles. The rear diff cover is a must as the stock ones tend to get pealed back and leak from rocks. For my latest Jeep, I went all out of MetalCloak skid plates with diff skids as well as the axle disconnect skid. I'm glad I did and confident whenever I slide over a boulder everything is safe and does not get hung up. Hopefully Rancho has improved but many years ago I installed a couple and were not very impressed with their fit and quality.

 

[GATORB8]

Diff skid plates will always sacrifice some ground clearance...depending on the manufacture it might be 1/4-1/2".

Definitely makes for a tough decision on stock tires. I'd be tempted to run no skids and do covers for clearance. OP should have a build date after the front drain was deleted.

 

[Bryce]

Do you have Axles with the drain plug on the bottom of them? If so, I'd say Diff Skids. That was my primary reason for going with Skids. I had already scraped on the drains and didn't want to mess them up worse. The Ranch Skids will also keep you from pealing the rear diff cover unless you hit so hard you rip the skid off too.

 

[GATORB8]

Do you have Axles with the train plug on the bottom of them? If so, I'd say Diff Skids. That was my primary reason for going with Skids. I had already scraped on the drains and didn't want to mess them up worse. The Ranch Skids will also keep you from pealing the rear diff cover unless you hit so hard you rip the skid off too.

He shouldn't have the drain in the 22, was gone in my 21.

 

[bd100]

What I chose. We tow with our JT, so in back I kept the stock cover to keep things cooler compared to nodular iron covers. And in front these keep the clearance with the steering stuff. And they prevent peel when scraping a rock, and maintain ground clearance. Don't protect the drain plugs, but mine doesn't have any.

Dana 44 M200/M220 Rear Spider Differential Guard for Jeep JL and Rubicon
Dana 44 M186/M210 Front Spider Differential Guard for Jeep JL Rubicon

(Except that I chose the JT listings.)

 

[ColoradoWino]

As always I appreciate the guidance. Will keep everyone posted on what option I go with but thanks to everyone. Have a good weekend.

 

[c20040215]

I would say no.
You dont need new covers or skids for you intended purpose. The stock cover getting peeled off is a non-issue on newer Jeeps.

But if you want to spend money on the Jeep and feel good (which we all do), they provide many benefits and very little drawbacks, which many already listed above.

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hey all, getting ready to do some armoring and got a question. Jeep is a stock JL Willys 2.0t unlimited. The only thing I have done to it is add Apex Autolynx and it has improved the ride greatly.

Doing moderate trails (Nothing crazy) but I have scraped quite a bit as I am still figuring this offroad thing out and picking lines to miss diffs is something I am working on when weather improves. I have good teachers. Stock Firestone MT 32" tires but will go to 33" when the time comes, won't probably go 35" for now as this is the wifes daily and regear is something we are going to wait on after we get some more experience to see what kind of trails we are going to do.
With that said, do I need to do both diff covers AND diff skids? Or based on my intended usage, can I get away with just the diff skids? Thinking maybe Rancho skids but what are some of the other options that may not sacrifice ground clearance?

Thanks again for your knowledge everyone, I very much appreciate it.

Assuming you have a late model, I would get ARB covers or similar. Added protection and drain plugs that you don't have.

 

[Terrymo]

Aftermarket diff covers and diff skids are just a gateway drug for full skids and sliders. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

 

[UTME]

Do you have Axles with the drain plug on the bottom of them? If so, I'd say Diff Skids. That was my primary reason for going with Skids. I had already scraped on the drains and didn't want to mess them up worse. The Ranch Skids will also keep you from pealing the rear diff cover unless you hit so hard you rip the skid off too.

I installed the rancho slides. They fit well.

 

[Jtphoto]

Dana/Spicer covers front and rear.

 

[Maverick909]

I went the route of Diff skid after watching banks power series on diff skids and how, if made improperly can over heat the oil and cause problems. dana makes the cover the way it is for a reason. it works wonderfully at oiling the pinyon bearing and the gear set. No reason to change it since you're only doing easy to moderate trails Diff skids would do you better. I personally run rancho dif skids and have worked them quite a bit when wheeling moderate to hard trails. On top of diff skids i 100% recommend getting your self a good brand of rock slider or you will at some point put the willy's rock rail into the body and cause a nice size dent. ask me how i know. i currently have both lower door seal body damage. i went out and paid more than i wanted for a good set of frame mounted rock sliders and it has save my jeep more than wroth the $$ spent on them.

 

[Jtphoto]

I went the route of Diff skid after watching banks power series on diff skids and how, if made improperly can over heat the oil and cause problems. dana makes the cover the way it is for a reason. it works wonderfully at oiling the pinyon bearing and the gear set. No reason to change it since you're only doing easy to moderate trails Diff skids would do you better. I personally run rancho dif skids and have worked them quite a bit when wheeling moderate to hard trails. On top of diff skids i 100% recommend getting your self a good brand of rock slider or you will at some point put the willy's rock rail into the body and cause a nice size dent. ask me how i know. i currently have both lower door seal body damage. i went out and paid more than i wanted for a good set of frame mounted rock sliders and it has save my jeep more than wroth the $$ spent on them.

Dana also makes heavier covers as I posted. The difference is Heavy diff covers prevent housing flex which prevents gear deflection. It’s not about impact protection as most people seem to think. A diff skid does not replace a heavy diff cover it is only meant to work with it.

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