I have a (probably) stupid question

[Rubi SoHo]

I was referring to your stranded comment. An inoperable Jeep just mean it's time to walk.

But yes, all of those things would suck. To me money to recover and/or fix is just part of the game and I like to gamble occasionally. I could spend thousands on all the armor but then the engine could blow, some stupid sensor could put it in limp mode, I could have 2 flats. Hell, I drive manual so the risk of spontaneous combustion is pretty high as well .

I know stronger ones serve a purpose but as I have mentioned before on this site. I am a simple, stupid man, and tend not to carry or purchase things until after I have needed them.

That’s fair. I’m more of a “what can i foresee happening, let’s try to be proactive” type of guy.

That being said, diff covers and skids were never too high on my priority list; as i mentioned earlier in this thread, they just happened to fit into the value of a Metalcloak gift card I miraculously won at the 2024 Easter Jeep Safari. So I went for it. I can see the potential, but if I had more free money at the time I’d have gone with an undercloak kit or frame mounted rock sliders.

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[SlickRicksWilly]

That’s fair. I’m more of a “what can i foresee happening, let’s try to be proactive” type of guy.

That being said, diff covers and skids were never too high on my priority list; as i mentioned earlier in this thread, they just happened to fit into the value of a Metalcloak gift card I miraculously won at the 2024 Easter Jeep Safari. So I went for it. I can see the potential, but if I had more free money at the time I’d have gone with an undercloak kit or frame mounted rock sliders.

Haha well.......frame mounted slides are a different story for me , and now I am a hypocrite . Those were a must have for me before going to an off road park.

Not so much for rocks but my buddy told me they saved his Jeep from a tree when they sliding sideways down a muddy hill. It would have creamed the drivers side body but hit the slide and jeep rolled slightly and it left a small dent in the door. He convinced me to get a set for the wife's Jeep and they kept us out of a tree the first time we ever went out. Plus we are both short people and they double as a step.

I guess it depends on what you are willing to deal with. I can replace a diff cover, have enough friends to help me with gears, or even axles. Also, All those components can be upgraded. I have zero desire to attempt to DIY or pay for for body work on something that still has monthly payments.

Wishing you some luck at the next safari so you can win some slides.

 

[Rolling heavy]

Heavy duty covers serve two main structural purposes.

They take a hit better than the stamped steel covers. And keep in mind that sometimes you do go backwards and can back into a rock.

They help give more strength to the whole housing. Think of it like having a big bowl. A sheet of tin foil doesn't keep it from flexing when you push on the sides. But put a thick lid on and it doesn't flex anywhere near as much. The axle housing does flex a lot like a bowl. That flex causes gear misalignment, which is the leading cause of broken teeth on gears.


Secondary functions include resisting peeling the edge when you drag the diff over a rock. Also, some people just like the look.

Edit: Some covers do help with cooling by adding fins (more surface area helps cooling). And some covers add a drain plug to make servicing the diff easier.

People buy them because they can and they want to be different, end of story.
Waste of money, after 47 years of owning jeeps never once had a problem with the stock differential cover, at some point after decades you have to realize that some of this stuff is just plain stupid

 

[grimmjeeper]

People buy them because they can and they want to be different, end of story.
Waste of money, after 47 years of owning jeeps never once had a problem with the stock differential cover, at some point after decades you have to realize that some of this stuff is just plain stupid

 

[ym0bc1]

the factory diff cover is just a pressed sheet metal.
Diff is the lowest point and it's prone to get hit. Most of the time it's hit /scratched on the bottom. It will lead to the gasket damage when the diff cover lower part being scratched/hit a few times and then diff fluid leak.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

3) They look bad ass even if nobody else notices them

You need more lift, or bumpers with better approach/ departure angles, and to paint them bright colors. Maybe all of the above. BOOM! Problem solved.

Source: I painted my Motobilt Diff covers orange. It added +5hp in Mallcrawler math

 

[Terrymo]

You need more lift, or bumpers with better approach/ departure angles, and to paint them bright colors. Maybe all of the above. BOOM! Problem solved.

Source: I painted my Motobilt Diff covers orange. It added +5hp in Mallcrawler math

Plus you got so much street cred you get to go to the front of the line at Starbucks

 

[UniqueUserName]

The front cover is to the front. However, it took me no time at all to peel back the lower edge of the factory, stamped rear cover by dragging over rocks. The nodular iron covers don't do that.

 

[RubiSc0tt]

Plus you got so much street cred you get to go to the front of the line at Starbucks

EXACTLY. PREMIUM TREATMENT.

 

[Rubi SoHo]

People buy them because they can and they want to be different, end of story.
Waste of money, after 47 years of owning jeeps never once had a problem with the stock differential cover, at some point after decades you have to realize that some of this stuff is just plain stupid

Do you crawl rocks? 47yo of owning jeeps without a diff cover problem doesnt mean much if you keep them on the blacktop.

 

[Rolling heavy]

Do you crawl rocks? 47yo of owning jeeps without a diff cover problem doesnt mean much if you keep them on the blacktop.

Rock crawling is a very niche segment of jeep ownership. In my opinion diff covers have become more of a visual statement like a sticker rather than serving an an actual mechanical purpose that was my point.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Rock crawling is a very niche segment of jeep ownership. In my opinion diff covers have become more of a visual statement like a sticker rather than serving an an actual mechanical purpose that was my point.

You would be wrong on a couple fronts.

 

[GATORB8]

Rock crawling is a very niche segment of jeep ownership. In my opinion diff covers have become more of a visual statement like a sticker rather than serving an an actual mechanical purpose that was my point.

I'm just glad the duck collectors occasionally spend money on parts that actually serve mechanical purposes so that the Jeep aftermarket stays robust with stuff for our niche segment.

 

[MntGoat]

I will say that I have personally seen a lot of bashed diff. covers. 99% were rear D44 ones.

Once you smash it into a stump or rock, if the cover rubs on the ring gear you will wear a hole in the cover fairly quickly.

Also the fancy alum. finned covers are not made for off road, the wife backed into a stump w/rear D44 finned cover, when she pulled away, it actually broke the fins off and left them in the stump, which required a grinder and JB weld to repair and filled with motor oil to get back to camp

I normally make all my diff covers.

I was actually going to reuse a few I had, until I heard that JL D44 covers are different than older "normal" ones. So I will be making some this winter

 

[Rubi SoHo]

Rock crawling is a very niche segment of jeep ownership. In my opinion diff covers have become more of a visual statement like a sticker rather than serving an an actual mechanical purpose that was my point.

so that’s a no?

Broad brushing people the way you did in your post doesn’t provide any substance to this conversation.

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