Differential Covers

[bobchadwickga]

I have a 2024 Rubicon with the factory lift and 35” tires. It’s coming up on 30,000 miles and will need the diff fluid changed. At the same I am planning on swapping out the existing covers with aftermarket units with drains built into them. Any recommendations and/or considerations such as durability, cooling capacity, etc?

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[yokramer]

Id still stick to one that you have to remove the cover as being able to clean out anything in the housing when you change the fluid is nice. Also with the re-usable gasket rather than having to RTV it back on its not that much extra work with the upside of being able to visually inspect the diff while youre in there.

I went with the Cavfab units.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

Going with a brand name, Dana, Teraflex, ARB, MetalCloak, etc. IMO all are pretty much the same. I wouldn't rely on the cover for draining the fluid though since you will never get the oil in the bottom of the dif. Since the JL comes with a gasket, pulling the cover for oil changes is the easiest way to do it.

 

[bobchadwickga]

Is the standard gasket reusable? If not, is there a recommendation?

 

[jadmt]

no drains but I love the AEV. I like the large inspection/fill hole at the top. the gaskets are re-usable several times

 

[yokramer]

Is the standard gasket reusable? If not, is there a recommendation?

Yep the stock gasket can be reused quite a few times. Im on my 2nd fluid change and no issues.

 

[IceBerg]

I've reused that gasket on some jeeps for 5+ changes now and not had an issue

 

[Sportacus]

If you plan to get diff skids then plan ahead and see what works with what. I had planned to go with Next Venture diff skids which only work with certain diff covers.

i went with motobilt. They are heavy, which is good. Heavy=strength. That being said, they were a pain to install. Youre holding a 15lb cover in one hand while carefully threading the bolts with the other. I cross-threaded probably 3 bolts that i had to go back and tap. My buddy suggested putting studs in next time so can just slide the cover on and tighten some nuts.

I ended up going with the RC diff covers which are a lot like the NV but for about 1/10 the price. I still have to install the diff skids. Ive been putting it off because i dont want to touch those damn diff bolts again lol

 

[There’sOnlyOne]

Anyone use the Teraflex diff covers? Online pics show them looking very flat with a large ring gear bump. Wonder if this design is better for heat dissipation or lubricity.

And wonder if there is a list somewhere that shows cover/diff skid compatibility.

I am in the same boat for diff fluid changes and would like to do the same as OP on replacing covers and adding skids.

 

[Terrymo]

Anyone use the Teraflex diff covers? Online pics show them looking very flat with a large ring gear bump. Wonder if this design is better for heat dissipation or lubricity.

And wonder if there is a list somewhere that shows cover/diff skid compatibility.

I am in the same boat for diff fluid changes and would like to do the same as OP on replacing covers and adding skids.

There’s a list of diff skids here somewhere although not super recent. Diff covers that are made in the Next Venture, Motobilt, CavFab (and a few others) style are all compatible with the next venture skids. Many others that are thinner are if you use their spacer, But they may not be necessary for many people or reasonable in cost. There is nothing wrong with that. Maybe give your approximate budget and you will get some suggestions that work together and some that won’t without mods,

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/list-of-differential-skids-front-and-rear.57970/

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