New AEV rear diff skid

[John VonJeep]

I got the Dana Spicer cover to maintain factory cooling. But TBH, people damaging or peeling a diff cover is pretty rare in my experience, even with the factory cover.

This is an issue that Jeepers tend to overthink. Buy some quality protection that you feel good about and never think about it again.

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[GATORB8]

$389?!? Is it made of gold?

Jeep add-ons are discretionary spending, but WTF is AEV thinking here?,

Mine was gold (colored) for less than half.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-...utm_campaign=storeya60&utm_term=&gad_source=1

EDIT: One of the reasons to do skid the rear diff is so you can slide over rocks, the AEV retains a catch point in front of the pumpkin, little counter intuitive.

 

[AZ Hella]

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...JhHpOSzl4uqWEGkCIjpyyQsF39EUndWBoCzNIQAvD_BwE

$90. Works great.

RC is definitely the best bang for the buck rear diff skid.

 

[c20040215]

RC is definitely the best bong for the buck.

*only on some parts.

Skid plates, yes. I found RC skid plates have extremely high cost to performance ratio. I spent less than $600 for two diff skids, oil pan/transmission skid, Tcase skid, and rear lower shock skids.

Everything else you probably want to stay away from RC lol.

 

[Jtphoto]

As per the other thread about diff covers. The conversation turned to cast covers retaining heat. By design I’ll bet this AEV diff skid will reduce diff oil cooling far more than a cast cover.
I have a ATV with a similar type diff skid and that thing is constantly filled with mud, rocks and leaves so it would have to be on the list of constant maintenance after rides.

 

[Jtphoto]

RC is definitely the best bang for the buck rear diff skid.

My problem with that RC skid is it doesn’t support the housing structure like a cast cover would. Can you run a cast cover with it?
People don’t realize the most important job of a heavier diff cover is to support/strengthen the housing center section to help prevent gear deflection. Impact damage to the rear cover is never a problem. Peeling the bottom lip of the factory cover is a concern as well.

 

[Ratbert]

Do any of these alternatives work with the AEV diff cover? I'm guessing they don't.

 

[GATORB8]

Do any of these alternatives work with the AEV diff cover? I'm guessing they don't.

MC rear likely works, it doesn't attach through the cover bolts. Front probably doesn't though.

 

[yokramer]

Quite a bit cheaper than Next Venture Motorsports' skid, but I'm thinking that NVM's is much more durable.

https://nextventuremotorsports.com/products/jl-rds-m220

Cmon man NV is expensive but you get extremely high quality products that dont have the Name Tax like AEV. The AEV skid is a stamped steel piece of metal for $400 that is going to be fucked the first major rock you hit. To compare the 2 is disingenuous at best, and just hate on NV at worst. For like $12 more you can get the NV skid and the spacer for the stock diff cover that will outlast the diff.

 

[Ratbert]

Cmon man NV is expensive but you get extremely high quality products that dont have the Name Tax like AEV. The AEV skid is a stamped steel piece of metal for $400 that is going to be fucked the first major rock you hit. To compare the 2 is disingenuous at best, and just hate on NV at worst. For like $12 more you can get the NV skid and the spacer for the stock diff cover that will outlast the diff.

I'm pretty sure I said that the NVM was much more durable. The AEV variant looks incredibly wimpy in comparison. The NVMs also have the bonus of looking incredible in red powder coat.

I should have weighed my NVM diff skids before installing them. They're f'n heavy.

 

[jadmt]

call me a fool or sucker but this is a great design and looks like it would take a beating. it fits right up against the casting so not going to dent but it will help you slide over stuff without getting hung up. I has an AEV diff skid on all my jk's and it worked well. it would take a freak hit to bend it up to the pinion. It is heavier than it looks. probably not for everyone but was worth it to me.

 

[DewHawk]

Yikes. That’s even thinner in your photos than I anticipated it would be based on AEV’s promo data. No way I’d trust that but please keep us up to date.

 

[azwjowner]

Yikes. That’s even thinner in your photos than I anticipated it would be based on AEV’s promo data. No way I’d trust that but please keep us up to date.

Maybe. You would need to know the kind of steel to make that determination. AEV has in the past used much higher quality steel than most aftermarket companies - they have a series of front bumpers with hot-stamped boron steel, for example.

 

[Ratbert]

Maybe. You would need to know the kind of steel to make that determination. AEV has in the past used much higher quality steel than most aftermarket companies - they have a series of front bumpers with hot-stamped boron steel, for example.

It'd be awesome if it was hot-stamped boron steel, but it's apparently just stamped steel.

I was kind of shocked to see that it'll also fit a Bronco.

 

[DewHawk]

It'd be awesome if it was hot-stamped boron steel, but it's apparently just stamped steel.

I was kind of shocked to see that it'll also fit a Bronco.

That's kind of the interesting part for me. On their website, the similar skid for the ZR2 is clearly labeled "boron steel" whereas this isn't. Lead's me to believe it's not the same kind of quality they usually pump out.

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