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Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon

Jarg1

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Anyone run a front diff on their 2021 Rubicon and have a front diff with giant dumbo ears like mine?
I have a 2021 JLUR XR and I think it is the same, but I already have a differential skid on so hard to tell for sure:

Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 51976121436_8279e5b527_k (1)

Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 51975109462_8384330fb0_k
 
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I have a 2021 JLUR XR and I think it is the same, but I already have a differential skid on so hard to tell for sure:

Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 51975109462_8384330fb0_k

Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 51975109462_8384330fb0_k
What diff skid is that? I tried the Rancho, but the pinion strap isn’t wide enough.
 

Jarg1

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Rough Country. I wanted to get the Rancho skids also, but read a discussion mentioning the problem you are seeing:

Rancho front diff skid issue... | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, 4xe, 392 - JLwranglerforums.com

I sent an email to Rancho asking if they were planning a fix but never received a reply.
Yeah, the Northridge4x4 product description said it would fit the front and rear. Since this one used a pinion strap instead of a U-bolt, I figured it was a new design.
Rough Country. I wanted to get the Rancho skids also, but read a discussion mentioning the problem you are seeing:

Rancho front diff skid issue... | Jeep Wrangler Forums (JL / JLU) - Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, 4xe, 392 - JLwranglerforums.com

I sent an email to Rancho asking if they were planning a fix but never received a reply.
I saw those issues. This one uses a pinion strap instead of a U-bolt, so I thought it was a redesign. The description on @Northridge4x4 website states it’s for the front or rear…but alas, not for my Jeep.
Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon A331C9B9-0D2E-4B97-BDCD-D4B1D8EBEC6D
Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 1F7C8273-5C22-4D27-BCBD-1FCEE1DABD4F
 

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Just my opinion, but the only reason a front dif skid was needed was the drain plug on the bottom of the dif. When they got rid of the plug they eliminated the need. A heavy duty cover that won't bend or peel open sliding over an obstacle in reverse is all the protection needed. You can drag the dif on obstacles for decades and you'll never wear through it.
 
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Just my opinion, but the only reason a front dif skid was needed was the drain plug on the bottom of the dif. When they got rid of the plug they eliminated the need. A heavy duty cover that won't bend or peel open sliding over an obstacle in reverse is all the protection needed. You can drag the dif on obstacles for decades and you'll never wear through it.
Now that is good to know. I'm still super new to all this, thank you for the info!
 

Jarg1

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Just my opinion, but the only reason a front dif skid was needed was the drain plug on the bottom of the dif. When they got rid of the plug they eliminated the need. A heavy duty cover that won't bend or peel open sliding over an obstacle in reverse is all the protection needed. You can drag the dif on obstacles for decades and you'll never wear through it.
I'm sure you are right but I'd still rather beat up a skid.
 

Jarg1

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Yeah, the Northridge4x4 product description said it would fit the front and rear. Since this one used a pinion strap instead of a U-bolt, I figured it was a new design.

I saw those issues. This one uses a pinion strap instead of a U-bolt, so I thought it was a redesign. The description on @Northridge4x4 website states it’s for the front or rear…but alas, not for my Jeep.
EDIT - I see that part number listed in your post is RS62117 which is a rear plate. Is that what you have?
 
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EDIT - I see that part number listed in your post is RS62117 which is a rear plate. Is that what you have?
It is. The Northridge description stated it would work for front and rear though. They even doubled down in the Q&A section.
Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 300CCD16-ECA2-40A6-A4B0-CFDFC33DACD4

Jeep Wrangler JL Help….Front Diff Skid for 2021 Rubicon 71756096-D86E-42A9-8E31-D792D88316FC
 

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Jarg1

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It is. The Northridge description stated it would work for front and rear though. They even doubled down in the Q&A section.
I can see how this might happen. Rancho lists RS62117 as Dana 44 Rear but the description says " Rancho® front and rear Differential Glide Plates for the Jeep® Wrangler JL mount to the front or rear axle casting" Maybe someone misinterpreted that.
 

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That’s exactly what happened the webteam copied rancho’s description and assumed it was correct
 
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I can see how this might happen. Rancho lists RS62117 as Dana 44 Rear but the description says " Rancho® front and rear Differential Glide Plates for the Jeep® Wrangler JL mount to the front or rear axle casting" Maybe someone misinterpreted that.
I know I did 😂😂. Maybe I can weld extension tabs and make a new pinion strap….I’m the worst at returning things 😂. Jest need to learn how to weld.
 
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That’s exactly what happened the webteam copied rancho’s description and assumed it was correct
It happens, not the end of the world. I might try to weld extension tabs and make a new pinion strap. Modding stuff….it’s the Jeep way 😂🤷🏻‍♀️
 

Zandcwhite

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I'm sure you are right but I'd still rather beat up a skid.
To each their own, of course you’ll drag the skid more often than the dif, as no matter how tight it sits to the dif, it still hangs down lower. Our front dif has a drain plug and I still didn’t put a skid on it. A few scrapes, but otherwise good as new after 50k miles, hundreds of trails, 2 Moab trips, wheeling in CO, OR, AZ, NV, and CA. Some contact will happen, but I’d hardly call my difs beat on.
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