Diff Covers or Diff Skids

[Jeep4Life]

I'm having a hard time deciding on weather or not to go with diff covers or diff skids.

I'm thinking a diff cover for the front and a skid and cover for the rear. I know i'll lose some clearance with the skid but I'm thinking the front won't need a skid as I can avoid most large rocks but the back might drag over some things as I'm steering to avoid things up front.

any thoughts?

[mrfreakinwhite]

Full diff covers are probably the best way to go.
I like to avoid some covers that say they increase oil capacity, because when you're out on the trail, that extra oil can leak past the seal.
Diff guards are not a bad way to go, they still protect the diff cover.

Skid plates that cover the u-joint and yoke might reduce clearance a little bit, but they protect some pretty vital parts.

[schwalby]

I have a Riddler diff cover and really like it. On the rear the cover is just slightly smaller then the housing which I like because it helps prevent the cover lip from catching on a rock and pealing back creating a leak.

[Hoodoo Man]

I like the poision spider covers

[mrfreakinwhite]

Blue Torch Fab covers.

I dislike skids/guards that need to be removed to get the mud out.

[Jeep4Life]

I like the poision spider covers

I'm liking that poison spider cover. very functional and looks bad ass.

[Frank]

I run a stock cover in front with a rock guard . The rear is a thick one with longer bolts and as Schwalby said , no lip to peal back and leak. Lube locker gaskets are great also, as is silicone but less a pita ! FjR68

[DDewar53]

Suspenders and a belt?

get both.

[nostaw]

I have an Nth Degree Slyder skid on my TJ Rubicon D44 (front)... Definitely like it / would recommend it... It has saved the front pinion U-joint several times in the rocks and allowed me to drive out instead of being stuck in a hairy spot / taking damage. Not sure if they are, or something similar is, still available though.

Good diff protection is a good investment, but you don't need to spend tons of $ on them. I have a Rock Crusher cast front cover and a BTF (welded plate) rear cover. Both are fine and have taken plenty of pounding without issues.

I used to run a WARN Diff Guard on my D30 and it worked great. It would tend to capture dirt / mud, but it protected the diff.

JW

[Jeep4Life]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. Just ordered 2 poison spyder D44 covers for now. once I get those on I can decide what if any diff skid to choose.
thanks again!

[Jeep4Life]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. Just ordered 2 poison spyder D44 covers for now. once I get those on I can decide what if any diff skid to choose.
thanks again!

got the poison spyder diff covers a week or so ago and had some time to paint(flat black/gloss red) them yesterday. No garage, so just need to wait for the warm weather to get them on. they are very heavy.

[Carl McFly]

got the poison spyder diff covers a week or so ago and had some time to paint(flat black/gloss red) them yesterday. No garage, so just need to wait for the warm weather to get them on. they are very heavy.

Noice!

[Frank]

I have to take some credit here . Other than Joe's pink flame job , there was very little color out on the trails. I would like to think Mona had some influence in that department. Love to see it catching on . FjR68

[88jeepxj]

Love it. Many guys would make fun, saying it is a waste of time painting them so nice. Yes, they will get dirty and scraped to heck, but they look great now.

[DDewar53]

I have to take some credit here . Other than Joe's pink flame job , there was very little color out on the trails. I would like to think Mona had some influence in that department. Love to see it catching on . FjR68

Well, now my diff covers have that big yellow OX painted on them. That's colorful right there...