Spicer Dana 44 diff covers

lumberjacklloyd said:

I never once said these were justified because of a drain plug. I only said they do not fit into the box you are putting them in because they are not typical bulky iron covers.

Stock covers would work well, but if the OP wanted to upgrade, these are a great option.

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We have a long history of documentation showing that thicker diff covers often result in interference with the front track bar and the gas tank. Changes and modifications affect what fits and doesn't fit. We also understand that there is zero benefit in all cases to add bulk to the top half of the covers. If one cares about simple overall function, then the answer is to reinforce the bottom half of a factory cover and leave the top half alone.

However, if the goal is to decorate or a drain plug is important, do whatever you want to do. The least you can do is fully cycle the axles without springs and verify what is actually going on with your specific set of components.

lumberjacklloyd said:

If they do not interfere at full bump (which I can confidently tell you they don’t), then this does not matter.

Lack of reasoning ability is often conquered by understanding something new.

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The best you can do is be honest in recognizing that you do not know what might be happening on another vehicle beyond some reasonable guesses. The only way to know what is happening is to fully cycle the axle without springs. A lot is learned and understood through this process.

rockbottom said:

In my opinion the advantage would at least be the magnetic drain plug and 2 fill plugs which will allow venting when filling with fluid and to eliminate pulling the cover just to replace the fluid

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Since no one has mentioned it...

1) You already have a magnetic drain plug, it's in the differential housing.
2) Your axle is vented so there's no reason to open a second hole to vent. The second hole is meant so that you have a higher fill point on the cover for rotated pinions.
3) Even if it wasn't vented, why are you using a hose that's so big that it able to seal the fill hole?

lumberjacklloyd said:

If they do not interfere at full bump (which I can confidently tell you they don’t), then this does not matter.

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I would never adopt any position that predicts the low knowledge level of another rig owner. At no point in time would I have ever considered the possibility that someone would screw a bleeder into the banjo hole and then burn up my time with several phone calls wanting to know why they can't bleed the air out and get rid of a spongy brake pedal. Likewise, even a picture in the instructions did not prevent someone from unscrewing a brake line from the combination block to screw in the shuttle lock out tool. Another series of phone calls wanting to know why it couldn't be bled properly.

Everyone tries to cheat wheelbase under the misguided notion that they will be a hero on the next waterfall if they have a 1/2" more wheelbase than their buddies. Are you confident that everyone is going to cycle and check their suspension for interference? I'm not.

lumberjacklloyd said:

Lack of reasoning ability is often conquered by understanding something new.

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Biggest mistake I see over and over on here is the inability to get out of one's own skin.

@jjvw @mrblaine @The4bangertj

I never once said not to cycle suspension.

I never said these are a better option than OEM.

I am saying that:
1) I've never had a bolt in the kit break.
2) I would have never found how low profile these covers are if I stayed within the boundaries of group think on this forum.

lumberjacklloyd said:

@jjvw @mrblaine @The4bangertj

I never once said not to cycle suspension.

I never said these are a better option than OEM.

I am saying that:
1) I've never had a bolt in the kit break.
2) I would have never found how low profile these covers are if I stayed within the boundaries of group think on this forum.

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I don't care what you didn't say, I only care about what you did say. Either qualify it or don't say it.
I can confirm these covers do not interfere at full bump with stock wheel base.
No you can't.

mrblaine said:

I don't care what you didn't say, I only care about what you did say. Either qualify it or don't say it.
I can confirm these covers do not interfere at full bump with stock wheel base.
No you can't.

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I will say it, because I did it.

I have cycled stock suspension with both of these covers to stock bump stops. I have cycled them with lift and 2-3" of bump and a rotated pinion. I have done both of these situations with stock and Savvy gas tank skids.

I cannot find a single point of interference other than one rib on the front cover with a Currie track bar; this was not an issue with the factory trackbar.

I have a Currie cover, it interferes, my understanding is the Currie is slimmer than the spicer.

LakeBeard said:

I have a Currie cover, it interferes, my understanding is the Currie is slimmer than the spicer.

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I am not surprised with a cast 44 cover having interference in the front. It would be interesting to see that cover and the spicer side by side.

lumberjacklloyd said:

I am not surprised with a cast 44 cover having interference in the front. It would be interesting to see that cover and the spicer side by side.

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this is what AI says

AI also thinks you shouldn't have interference. Let's use real world measurements and experience.

lumberjacklloyd said:

AI also thinks you shouldn't have interference. Let's use real world measurements and experience.

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Did you see the post with a pic showing marks on the diff cover where it rubs? That’s the exact definition of real-world experience. So if the slimmer rubs, the thicker probably will too. I don't care what parts anyone uses, just sharing my experince.

Not sure I should get into this kerfuffle but-— If sticking with Dana/Spicer, they made a heavy duty Dana 44 cover that you may find in a salvage yard, usually on Ford F250s, that is 3/16" thick and has a flat for the tie rod clearance.

I've never observed a similar cover for a Dana 30. The only Dana/Spicer HD covers I'm aware of that will fit a Dana 30 are the iron covers made for the MB/GPW's D25. The D25, D27, and Dana 30 all use the same cover. Those MB/GPW covers come up on the G503 classified not infrequently and are usually way cheaper than the aftermarket versions (and just as stout-nodular iron).

I have that Dana 44 cover on the butt of my CJ 3B where I had insufficient clearance between the cover and the fuel tank skid for any of the iron versions at full stuff. I did build a skid plate so you can't peel it, 3/16's or not.

I'm using the TeraFlex Dana 44 covers on my TJ. No interference with the Currie draglink.