Thoughts on this diff guard?

[Isles4evr]

What do yall think of this diff guard for a Dana 44?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33728&item=2474198329&rd=1

 

[TravisC]

I think it would work out just fine. Looks well built and would even match your X.

 

[Isles4evr]

and would even match your X.

Ha didn't even think of that! I like how it protects the ring gear, but i duno about the rest of it being open. I guess that where the stock cover sticks out to clear the ring gear is where it would take the most abuse.

 

[CodePoet]

Looks cool....i would think you would want something that protects the bottom of the diff though...I thought that would get more abuse, but that would help protect the cover/ring gear if you like slid down a rock. I'm not a rock crawler though so i'm just speculating

Later
CP

 

[james t]

Hell, for that price you could buy it, add on to it, and still come out alot cheaper than most.

 

[Isles4evr]

Yeah I could probably add a could of bent tubes to protect to lower region better. Thinking now...

 

[Jefe]

Hell, for that price you could buy it, add on to it, and still come out alot cheaper than most.

And thats exactly what I did (yeah, i was the one to undermine you and buy it before you had a chance. go ahead and shoot me)

On my custom axle there is a ring around the top half of the diff to support the upper control arm bracket, plus I've got the Elec-trac actuator sticking out the front, and hadn't found a diff plate that would work until I found this one. For $55 I didn't mind hacking it up and using the bottom half of the ring, and welding it to my current half ring. Worked very well.

However this thing is pretty weak compared to some diff guards. yes the ring is 1/4" but it could be much wider (only averages about 1/3" wide). And the plate over the ring gear is only 3/16" and if you notice in the picture it is only attached to the ring with a 1.5" weld (where the plate is 3" wide). I still think it will protect the diff for most all rock encounters while wheeling though.

 

[Isles4evr]

Do you mind taking a picture of the mods you did to the cover? I just purchased one yesterday, and yes you were that a$$hole who bought it out from underneith of me when i was contemplating... yeah whatever it's straight . I figured for 55 bucks i couldn't go wrong... a little bending and welding and it should do good for me.... I don't plan on seeing any Moab or Truckhaven... just good old Virginia pebels for me, that is if I ever get to working on it (too busy, and too tired, and my chop saw crapped out on me).

 

[Jefe]

here ya go:

 

[Isles4evr]

It almost looks like it is bolted to the diff cover iteself(in the middle). How do you get to the drain plug?

Chris

 

[410Fortune]

Look at Poision Spider Customs if you want a decent priced rock ring just like this that will stand up to real abuse.

 

[Jefe]

It almost looks like it is bolted to the diff cover iteself(in the middle). How do you get to the drain plug?

Chris

I think you're seeing the elec-trac cover and thinking thats part of the diff guard. The fill plugs (LP or HP) are both accessible right there. There is no drain plug.

 

[Isles4evr]

Must be that cover I am seeing... and yes I meant fill plug. It was after a little when I was looking so ya know .

Thanks for the pic though.

Chris

 

[94ZebraRanger]

I saw a cool looking one on a feature in last issue of Fourwheeler on a majorly lifted darango. Don't think it was really ment for major rock protection but looked cool. Kinda a tube bolted to the sides of the cover and looped down.
Does anyone make a diff skid plate for the rear 8.8 in an Ex.

Tim