...or is it all about the look? I see different shapes, materials, and some "finned" I assume for temp. control. Any good reason to swap the old one out?
Any issues with a rear ARB? Looks like I have plenty of space back there but haven't installed yet, picked one up for pennies on the dollar.With stock axles the only differential covers I would ever consider running are the Currie / Barnett diff covers which you can see here:
https://www.currieenterprises.com/js-hd30
They don't look pretty, but they provide the clearance you want.
The ARB diff covers and that fancy looking one you linked to above are very well known for causing interference issues with the track bar and such under full articulation.
A fat rear cover can hit the gas tank. It will depend on the pinion rotation, axle position and the amount of bump stop extension.Any issues with a rear ARB? Looks like I have plenty of space back there but haven't installed yet, picked one up for pennies on the dollar.
Good to know I'm really in no hurry to install it but I'll take a look at those interference points before I put it on. Savvy GT skid is also on the list so that clearance should help me out in that area.A fat rear cover can hit the gas tank. It will depend on the pinion rotation, axle position and the amount of bump stop extension.
You'll have to remove the coils and run the axle as high as it will go in order to see how much room is there. The same is true of the front. Many covers require additional bump stop extension, which I consider a shame to limit your travel just for a diff cover.Good to know I'm really in no hurry to install it but I'll take a look at those interference points before I put it on. Savvy GT skid is also on the list so that clearance should help me out in that area.
. . . Regarding the SOLID diff covers, I personally know someone who needed to cut out and re-plate the "D" in order to clear the front track bar. Search JF for the SOLI diff cover.
I recall the SOLI cover was paired with a ZJ tie rod, a JKS track bar, adjustable arms with about 1.5" of bump stop extension.You bring up a good point. Some track bars don't play nice with any aftermarket diff cover; others offer more clearance. Research both.
My first thought is that those are as goofy looking as the Barnett is. (I mean that in the best way possible) Assuming they work well, the hockey mask probably fell into a niche market of functional products after the brodozer aesthetic took over the industry.General question re diff covers:
During the CJ/YJ era differential guards were widely in use. Aftermarket diff covers not so much. One of the most popular differential guards was the hockey mask style marketed by Mike Duncan at 4XDoctor in Burbank CA. I had one on the Dana 30 in my CJ-7, also the AMC 20 rear axle.
I don't see those on TJ's. Have they simply lost favor or is there some other reason? I would think that these would solve the issue of damaging the cover without raising the issue of interference with the tie rod or track bar.
View attachment 68648
General question re diff covers:
During the CJ/YJ era differential guards were widely in use. Aftermarket diff covers not so much. One of the most popular differential guards was the hockey mask style marketed by Mike Duncan at 4XDoctor in Burbank CA. I had one on the Dana 30 in my CJ-7, also the AMC 20 rear axle.
I don't see those on TJ's. Have they simply lost favor or is there some other reason? I would think that these would solve the issue of damaging the cover without raising the issue of interference with the tie rod or track bar.
View attachment 68648
You're also making an argument for the Barnett.I would rather add a guard in front of the dif cover than change it. The manufacturer spent lots of time and money to design the cover to work for that axle. Do you think most aftermarket manufacturers spent that much money and that much resources into making sure every aspect of it works perfectly with that differential.
The only problem with factory differentials are sometimes the get hit and bent.
Most guards use half of the bolts of the cover.Does the bolt on guard style transfer too much stress to 3 or 4 bolts?
Nope, not at all.Does the bolt on guard style transfer too much stress to 3 or 4 bolts?