HD diff covers $100 shipped - Last day to order 1/31/07

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:46 pm

I cant say I would be in for a group buy but I certainly like the cover. I would add a drain plug if I had to as well but it would be nice to have it done. I would be willing to pay a little bit more for that option if you are willing to do it for us. RockLizard. So how much for the drain plug mod for our diff cover mod.

elephantrider · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:45 pm

im still waiting on the finished front bumper! im not spending a dime until i have a r.l. front bumper on the kj.. ! :shock:

fdezone · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:47 pm

Any chance of having it modified to strengthen the axle & tri-link design (or 4-link conversion) and sell them in the $250 price range (minus the actual arms)? That would address another problem area and help out greatly.

But seriously, I would be interested in just the cover. The price is right. Thanks RL for your continued support. The KJ community is grateful. I reached out to BTF a couple of months back inquiring about the possibility of an axle truss and was told that they didn't have anything planned for the KJ (8.25) because they didn't have one on-hand. Now their website is advertising a BTF Chrysler 8.25 Kryptonite Differential Cover which is a DIY kit selling for $79.99. The kit is shipped unpainted in 5 separate pieces that must be fit togther and welded both inside and out. So for everyone out there considering this (RL) cover, I think it's a steal.

EOD-KJ, what the fu*$ are you doing to that dummy? Disregard, I guess you gotta do what you gotta do while deployed. I'll send you a blow-up doll if you want. Where's my sock? Stay safe.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:10 pm

Looks awesome! I would have to get one since I live in rock world and the trails Rock Lizard has taken us will surely rip off a diff cover sooner or later. Prefer not at all so a bit more armor underneath would be good. As Ted (USAFCOP) told me, I almost took it off on a trail a few weeks back.

For $100-110, I am in.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:22 pm

Got my attention! Joe

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:24 pm

The way the 8.25 is designed, our covers have a huge lip that if it were not for my younger bros diff gaurd, I would have lost my diff a long time ago.

As for you guys that want to have a diff drain plug in your cover, it would not work for our covers regardless of the design, because with the lowest point on the cover would still leave fluid in the diff unless you figure out a way to stand the jeep up on the rear bumper. The only way to do a drain plug that would work, would be to drill and tap the housing and use a similar plug as our front housing does.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:40 pm

USAFCOP wrote:

The way the 8.25 is designed, our covers have a huge lip that if it were not for my younger bros diff gaurd, I would have L.O.S.T. my diff a long time ago.

As for you guys that want to have a diff drain plug in your cover, it would not work for our covers regardless of the design, because with the lowest point on the cover would still leave fluid in the diff unless you figure out a way to stand the jeep up on the rear bumper. The only way to do a drain plug that would work, would be to drill and tap the housing and use a similar plug as our front housing does.

How much fluid would be left behind? Does this fluid drain when the cover is removed? On older G.M. products you had to basically mop the bottom of the diff out if you wanted that fluid gone. I guess the 8.25 is that way too? I could live with not draining the last couple of ounces out. No worse than a transmission where dropping the pan only gets 1/3 to 1/2 of the total fluid.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 9:58 pm

As for how much is left, that would depend upon how high or low the drain plug is. A bulge on the side would need to be added for any type of drain plug also, as it is very tight tolerance inside the cover. My cover has been warped and stretched to allow more fluid and clearance for my ARB. A plug that screws in may come close to contacting the tone ring if it were in the middle of the diff (ideal spot for a drain), or it would be just another thing to hit when off road.

The idea is great, but in my opinion, it is not right for the cover. The diff drains well when the cover is removed, and I do not have to wipe or spoon out the bottom of mine, it all pretty much comes out.

I like the idea of this cover, but my diff guard has saved mine, and I am going to stick with it for now... If this was available then, I would have gotten this one instead.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:03 pm

My guess with fluids, the particles sink to the bottom if the vehicle has been sitting and the fluid stagnant for awhile, so you would leave a lot of metal shavings and other foreign matter at the bottom. Not removing them would lead to quicker wear once they are regurgitated into hte fluid as it is swishing around inside. Of course, I have never done a diff fluid change before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:11 pm

You are right about the metal particles settling to the bottom. A magnet is a good way to keep that kind of thing in one place. Most if not all the metal in a differential from normal wear will be ferous.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:47 pm

Quote:

Not removing them would lead to quicker wear once they are regurgitated into hte fluid as it is swishing around inside. Of course, I have never done a diff fluid change before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn once.

That is to funny!!!!! :-)r

kolesy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:05 pm

ok back to topic at hand.......

So who would be in?

All I seen so far was me and EOD.

EOD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:53 am

yeah...guess ill have to remove this cover to do a diff oil change...oh well...

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:01 am

Hey guys. Wow, three pages already. OK, as for a drain plug, I have to agree with USAFCOP about not getting all the fluid out. And it's not just the fluid, its all the crap that settles at the bottom. With the cover off, you can inspect everything and spray out all the garbage that sticks to the bottom of the housing. I can see the appeal for a drain plug, so tomorrow I will check on what it would take for my supplier to add another plug like the fill plug, but lower. However, I do strongly recommend against it, even if it is possible. I will also check into powdercoating, as that was brought to my attention, but again, I recommend a can of Rustoleum. Powdercoat is just too expensive for something that will get scraped off on the rocks. If you plan on never going offroad and want it coated, then cool, but why have a heavy duty diff cover in the first place if it will never plan to see rocks?:D

kolesy · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:18 am

Good points RL. Heck I would take one as is, like the one you got posted. I was just about to buy a diff guard and seen this post so i am going to wait and see what you can come up with.

P.S. Get them front bumpers for the '05s ready to roll!!!!

EOD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:56 am

yeah keep me on the list...... ill take one as is and paint it black on my own or just leave it steel color

its really not that hard to take it on and off every 15,000 miles anyways

110 shipped ill do right now, or i can wait it out for 105 or 100

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:16 am

Rock Liz put me on the list.

alljeep · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:16 pm

PML Cover vs. Stock cover:

PML Cover w/o fins vs. w/ fins(shows drain plug better):

I still prefer the Rock Lizard heavy duty steel rear diff cover WITH a drain plug. I don't care if a few drops of old gear lube are left in the bottom. With threaded plugs for the fill and drain instead of the rubber plug for the stock cover there should not be much crap left in the bottom. I can always flush with a few extra pumps of clean gear lube.

My only other drain option at this time is the aluminum cover pictured above - and with 12.5k mile change intervals - I'll do it if I have to.

Keep us posted. Thanks.

FYI: It looks like the bolt holes on the steel cover are way too close to the welds to get a bolt seated flush on the diff cover - please advise...

EOD-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:43 pm

that is true, however, i THINK that is a prototype, at least i hope it is..... first the bolt holes are like 1/8" from the welds like you said, second the edges are not straight at all....

that one just looks sloppy. hope a nicer version is the final

Gris · **Posted:** Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:39 pm

I'd be all over it for $100ish.

HD diff covers $100 shipped - Last day to order 1/31/07

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