Question about Ranco Skid Plates

[mshallop]

Was considering some armor for the differential covers which, so far, have gotten pretty banged-up before I installed the lift and new tires...

I was looking at the Rancho covers (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...ho-performance-front-diff-glide-plate-dana-30) but have a question:

Seems like if you take a decent hit, from any direction, that energy is going to be transferred directly to the four mount-points (bolts) in your cover. Take enough hits, I can see you either snapping/pulling-out bolts, damaging the threads or potentially warping the cover and introducing break(s) in the gasket/seal.

Any thoughts on this? Would I be better off replacing the covers themselves?

thanks!

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[Bearded_Dragon]

That's why I'm waiting for Metal Cloak to make a front diff skid.

 

[RenoMD]

Was considering some armor for the differential covers which, so far, have gotten pretty banged-up before I installed the lift and new tires...

I was looking at the Rancho covers (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...ho-performance-front-diff-glide-plate-dana-30) but have a question:

Seems like if you take a decent hit, from any direction, that energy is going to be transferred directly to the four mount-points (bolts) in your cover. Take enough hits, I can see you either snapping/pulling-out bolts, damaging the threads or potentially warping the cover and introducing break(s) in the gasket/seal.

Any thoughts on this? Would I be better off replacing the covers themselves?

thanks!

I specifically asked rancho this. They said it can bear the weight of the jeep. And it’s been tested on their jeeps.

I still have the same concerns though given the glide plate doesn’t actually rest on the bottom of the differential. The weight is distributed on the 4- 10.9 grade bolts and three small points where it meets the yoke end of the differential.

 

[Tritonman]

Was considering some armor for the differential covers which, so far, have gotten pretty banged-up before I installed the lift and new tires...

I was looking at the Rancho covers (https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...ho-performance-front-diff-glide-plate-dana-30) but have a question:

Seems like if you take a decent hit, from any direction, that energy is going to be transferred directly to the four mount-points (bolts) in your cover. Take enough hits, I can see you either snapping/pulling-out bolts, damaging the threads or potentially warping the cover and introducing break(s) in the gasket/seal.

Any thoughts on this? Would I be better off replacing the covers themselves?

thanks!

I have a set of the front diff glide, rear diff glide and rear LCA/Shock gliders. I have beaten the crap out of them and even bent the front diff glide a little and they have held up and protected exactly what they were bought for. I would buy them again in an instant.

 

[wibornz]

They have been great on my JLUR. I wanted to protect the drain hole.

 

[mshallop]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments and help - very much appreciated!

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