Aftermarket rear diff cover

805gregg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 4:48 pm

Anyone know of an aftermarket heavy duty rear diff cover with a drain plug? It's time to change the gear oil and I want to make it easier next time.

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:09 pm

Ruff Stuff makes one. http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... 8a74bc29bc
Here is my old one that I sold.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:05 pm

It would still be wise to remove the cover to check the innards of the diff and clean up the magnet and old fluid.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:22 pm

I'm scared of the drain plug in my rear diff cover,it has been just dumb luck I have not torn the plug out and that would be a very bad thing on the trail.Better off getting a cover without a drian plug so you never have to worry about it getting broken off and leaving you SOL'ed in the middle of nowhere.It takes like 15mins to pull a diff cover off,clean it,and reseal/install it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:24 pm

http://www.cranehiclearance.com/crane1_011.htm

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:43 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

I'm scared of the drain plug in my rear diff cover,it has been just dumb luck I have not torn the plug out and that would be a very bad thing on the trail.Better off getting a cover without a drian plug so you never have to worry about it getting broken off and leaving you SOL'ed in the middle of nowhere.It takes like 15mins to pull a diff cover off,clean it,and reseal/install it.

Depends on the type of wheeling you'll do. If you won't be bashing things on rocks then a plug may be a nice thing for you. I asked around before I bought my Ruff Stuff and no one had ever heard of breaking a plug on the trail but it is obviously possible. It didn't bother me until I bashed the cover on a rock and went back to check it out and if I had been 2 more inches to the left, it would have smashed on the plug. Would it have broke? Who knows, but it did make me really worry after that. My new Rockcrusher doesn't have the plug and I don't miss it. So if you just want some more protection and aren't really going to be crawling around on rocks then a diff cover with a plug could be the way to go.

Side note, those Ruff Stuff are guaranteed for life from top to bottom, but I had 2 that both had tiny leaks in the welds. Dan at RS replaced the first and offered to replace the second both for free, but I wanted something else.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:46 pm

Inc wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

I'm scared of the drain plug in my rear diff cover,it has been just dumb luck I have not torn the plug out and that would be a very bad thing on the trail.Better off getting a cover without a drian plug so you never have to worry about it getting broken off and leaving you SOL'ed in the middle of nowhere.It takes like 15mins to pull a diff cover off,clean it,and reseal/install it.

Depends on the type of wheeling you'll do. If you won't be bashing things on rocks then a plug may be a nice thing for you. I asked around before I bought my Ruff Stuff and no one had ever heard of breaking a plug on the trail but it is obviously possible. It didn't bother me until I bashed the cover on a rock and went back to check it out and if I had been 2 more inches to the left, it would have smashed on the plug. Would it have broke? Who knows, but it did make me really worry after that. My new Rockcrusher doesn't have the plug and I don't miss it. So if you just want some more protection and aren't really going to be crawling around on rocks then a diff cover with a plug could be the way to go.

Side note, those Ruff Stuff are guaranteed for life from top to bottom, but I had 2 that both had tiny leaks in the welds. Dan at RS replaced the first and offered to replace the second both for free, but I wanted something else.

Yep and that's why I'm going with Riddlers diff covers for my SFA,they more rounded and have zero overlap to catch on rocks,and there also lifetime warranty.

Oh I've noticed major overlap on the bottom corners of that solid cover you got there.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:51 pm

i have the ruffstuff cover and love it. extremely heavy and mine has never leaked. however i did have to grind some on the inside down in 2 spots to get it to fit perfectly.

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:54 pm

It doesn't overlap on the bottom but there is a tiny bit of overlap on the curve up though. Maybe like half the size of a dime on each side and since it isn't on the bottom I'm not worried. I doubt there will be a rock that sticks out exactly in that spot and not in any other to hang me up. Rockcrusher, not a Solid, close but not the same company.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:21 am

I prefer a differential cover with a drain plug, which is what I have. I still remove the cover to get all the oil fluid out, inspect the gears, etc.. I just like the plug because it seems to make it easier when changing the fluid.
No matter if you have a drain plug or not. You should always remove the cover to check things out.
FYI: I’ve never heard of an actual drain plug being ripped off while rock crawling. Now someone will post a pic

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:55 pm

Crane looks good and fits perfectly! and its made from solid 3/8"

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:08 pm

Inc wrote:

Ruff Stuff makes one. http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... 8a74bc29bc

and if anyone wants it , it is for sale now, guy I bought it for does not want it. He says no money for more toys :roll:

will post it later today in the For Sale section

805gregg · **Posted:** Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:19 pm

Thanks for the input, I ended up with a Rockcrusher for $89 and free shipping. From 4 wheel online.

HoppedUpOnGoofballs · **Joined:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:36 pm **Posts:** 203

805gregg wrote:

Thanks for the input, I ended up with a Rockcrusher for $89 and free shipping.

From.........?

(Sorry if I missed it; baby-sitting)

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:45 pm

HoppedUpOnGoofballs wrote:

805gregg wrote:

Thanks for the input, I ended up with a Rockcrusher for $89 and free shipping.

From.........?

(Sorry if I missed it; baby-sitting)

http://www.rockcrusherdiffs.com/

HoppedUpOnGoofballs · **Joined:** Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:36 pm **Posts:** 203

jsc7002 wrote:

HoppedUpOnGoofballs wrote:

805gregg wrote:

Thanks for the input, I ended up with a Rockcrusher for $89 and free shipping.

From.........?

(Sorry if I missed it; baby-sitting)

http://www.rockcrusherdiffs.com/

Durr.. always the obvious, isnt it?

Thank you.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:12 pm

I think quadratec has it cheapest. Not sure the prices elsewhere. Got mine locally.

805gregg · **Posted:** Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:07 pm

HoppedUpOnGoofballs wrote:

805gregg wrote:

Thanks for the input, I ended up with a Rockcrusher for $89 and free shipping.

From.........?

(Sorry if I missed it; baby-sitting)

Sorry I forgot to include the supplier, it is 4 WHEEL ON LINE.com.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:18 am

Has anyone considered one of these for the front diff cover?

http://baertrax.com/bf.htm

Inc · **Posted:** Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:50 am

long_tall_texan wrote:

Has anyone considered one of these for the front diff cover?

http://baertrax.com/bf.htm

Doubt it would fit on a KJ. Besides the front diff is tucked way up and if you have an engine skid that acts as diff protection.

Aftermarket rear diff cover

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