Spicer Dana 44 diff covers

[rockbottom]

Anybody use these, i have read that the bolts that come with them will break off vey easy
Read to reuse OEM bolts

Any experiences?

What is the preferred diff replacement on a non rockcrawler daily driver?

 

[bbaldwin237]

I run spicer covers front and rear 30/44. They've taken a beating in the rocks. I'm considering changing them but only because I'd like something that protects the bolts.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

I run them F/R on 30/44. I have not broken a bolt.

 

[That'll Buff]

I've run the MetalCloak diff covers that the PO installed for around a year now and had no real issues. My only problem with it is that they're heavy and thick, so my trackbar hits (lightly) when off-road. Seems like a cheaper alternative if you're fine with the big M on the front. Swapping mine out for Barnett covers though.

 

[jjvw]

....

What is the preferred diff replacement on a non rockcrawler daily driver?

Another OEM cover.

 

[The4bangertj]

if youre not In the rocks then why change? You’re making things complicated by adding thickness where it doesn’t need to be.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

if youre not In the rocks then why change? You’re making things complicated by adding thickness where it doesn’t need to be.

^This. Brilliant. Best response so far. I'm surprised no one else suggested sticking with OEM.



(Edit - Oops, when i reread this it looked like I was taking a shot at you, which I was not. I was just poking at JJ, whom I have on ignore... )

 

[bbaldwin237]

^This. Brilliant. Best response so far. I'm surprised no one else suggested sticking with OEM.

It's not like any of us buy things just because we want to

 

[That'll Buff]

^This. Brilliant. Best response so far. I'm surprised no one else suggested sticking with OEM.



(Edit - Oops, when i reread that it looked like I was taking a shot at you, which I was not. I was just poking at JJ, whom I have on ignore... )

My inability to read everything in the post strikes again.

 

[The4bangertj]

if you want it just because that’s fine. Just know the consequences. I don’t think he knew of said consequences thus i questioned him.

 

[rockbottom]

Well, since dana and spicer are one company in the same, as I understand it.

I would think the production dana 44
May have a good OEM style diif cover but the mfg may have designed an upgrade.

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

Just my thoughts

 

[The4bangertj]

Well, since dana and spicer are one company in the same, as I understand it.

I would think the production dana 44
May have a good OEM style diif cover but the mfg may have designed an upgrade.

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

Just my thoughts

To devils advocate. Yes they’re the same company but I’m pretty sure the “upgraded” cover was designed originally for later year jeeps which have more clearance from trackbar to diff cover. I think they added that style more recently to the tj axles as fancy looking diff covers have got popular and they wanted a piece of the pie.
If you’re not in the rocks I’d just stick to a stock cover and use a lube locker gasket. Makes dropping the cover no more work than using a drain plug. No added thickness. I’ve never needed 2 fill plugs either. I’ve even hit my lube locker on the rocks and have not had them leak. I know the guys who wheel stuff I will never try can make them leak but that’s neither one of us.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

To devils advocate. Yes they’re the same company but I’m pretty sure the “upgraded” cover was designed originally for later year jeeps which have more clearance from trackbar to diff cover. I think they added that style more recently to the tj axles as fancy looking diff covers have got popular and they wanted a piece of the pie.
If you’re not in the rocks I’d just stick to a stock cover and use a lube locker gasket. Makes dropping the cover no more work than using a drain plug. No added thickness. I’ve never needed 2 fill plugs either. I’ve even hit my lube locker on the rocks and have not had them leak. I know the guys who wheel stuff I will never try can make them leak but that’s neither one of us.

I can confirm these covers do not interfere at full bump with stock wheel base.

That is not fair to assume with products you have not used. The overall profile of these is relatively slim and add a lot of rigidity to a Dana style gear box. The front cover worked flawlessly with the stock front track bar and only needed one rib trimmed for the Currie TB. The rear has never come close to touching my gas tank skid.

 

[rasband]

How has no one suggested OEM yet?

 

[jjvw]

How has no one suggested OEM yet?

Jeff was the first.

 

[The4bangertj]

I can confirm these covers do not interfere at full bump with stock wheel base.

That is not fair to assume with products you have not used. The overall profile of these is relatively slim and add a lot of rigidity to a Dana style gear box. The front cover worked flawlessly with the stock front track bar and only needed one rib trimmed for the Currie TB. The rear has never come close to touching my gas tank skid.

It is not fair to assume you’re one example disproves many others. A smart man learns from other people’s mistakes. I do not need my own experience to give advice when many others have been down that path.
If you’re willing to take the risk and figuring out the clearance for a drain plug, then do it.

 

[rasband]

It is not fair to assume you’re one example disproves many others. A smart man learns from other people’s mistakes. I do not need my own experience to give advice when many others have been down that path.
If you’re willing to take the risk and figuring out the clearance for a drain plug, then do it.

This also rejects reasoning ability, is it so hard to guess that dump truck springs cut to length suck on a TJ or do you have to actually do it? It's harder for more nuanced things, but not impossible.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

It is not fair to assume you’re one example disproves many others. A smart man learns from other people’s mistakes. I do not need my own experience to give advice when many others have been down that path.
If you’re willing to take the risk and figuring out the clearance for a drain plug, then do it.

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.

 

[The4bangertj]

Except they are bulky iron covers. They’re probably the some of the best of the bulky covers but still bulky enough to cause some issues that should be known.

 

[lumberjacklloyd]

Except they are bulky iron covers. They’re probably the some of the best of the bulky covers but still bulky enough to cause some issues that should be known.

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.