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New Diff Cover Ordered: UPDATE-Installed

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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
Silver_Dodge's Avatar
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Default New Diff Cover Ordered: UPDATE-Installed

I just ordered this diff cover to strengthen and protect my front diff (Dana 44). It's made by ARB. Their on a nationwide backorder, and I am around number 100 on the list, so it will be several weeks until I actually get it (6-8 weeks is what I was told). I think the red should really look good with the other red suspension components I have (coil spring, shock boots, sway bar bushings, control arm bushings, etc...). I wish it were extra capacity too, but there is pretty limited space for a larger diff cover with the tie rod being so close to it. I think extra capaciity would be more importatnt for the rear anyway, but would have been a nice-to-have. Anyway, here's some info about it and some pics from ARB:

-Made from High Tensile solid nodular iron structure (tougher and harder then solid carbon steel) protects the differential and ring & pinion set.
-Computer optimized cross brace design that adds over 960 ft-lbs of torsional rigidity to the axle assembly. This increased flexuaral strength in the housing helps keep the ring and pinion gears meshed on the flat faces of the teeth, which greatly increases ring & pinion life and overall max load strength. Carrier bearing life is prolonged by the improved support given to the bearing alignment.
-High tensile cap screws are recessed in the the cover to protect them from contact with obstacles.
-Includes dipstick, filler cap, and drain plug.
-Neodymium magnets are used in both the drain plug and the dipstick to collect metallic wear particles.
-Zinc plated hardware




[IMG]local://upfiles/9095/6EB8FA67B2644F7B88DE136225E77DF1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/9095/A7EBBA4847D141B191BAD2E017E3CC3A.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/9095/7FD860A19CC74162AE602A2559825197.jpg[/IMG]
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 11:19 AM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Looks pretty sharp

I wouldn't worry about extra fluid, most of the diff covers that hold extra fluid are weaker due to the elongated flat surfaces.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 11:29 AM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Other diffoptions:

This one is made by Posion Spider Customs ( I think Dana Trac makes one as well)



Ultimate in Strength ($100)

 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 11:33 AM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Ya, I looked at that Poison Spider one too, but liked the dipstick feature on the ARB one. Also, there is this one from Solid (see pic) and ones from Rockcrusher and Ox. And tons of companys make a guard that just bolts over the stock cover too. Lots of options out there.

[IMG]local://upfiles/9095/550A0E4DF86A4AF4A3583CF396C17F8B.jpg[/IMG]
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 12:42 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Damn it silver !!! I like the red one , will go well with my truck plus the SS allen head bolts....Did i miss it ? where did you order this from ?
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 01:06 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

I called all my local ARB suppliers (that come up when I enter my zip on the ARB Find a Dealer website), and the only one who was even listing this part as orderable was 4 Wheel Parts. I refuse to do business with them. So I contacted ARB, and a guy named Seth told me to contact Randy's Ring and Pinion. I did, and they said they weren't listing it yet because they were still working out the details with ARB (it's a very new product). So I contacted Seth again, and he told me to go through Heather at All J Products (mostly a Jeep aftermarket parts supplier). She was really helpful and nice, and got my order all set up. She even said she would match any price I found on the web. She can be reached at: 909-866-4800
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 03:11 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Don't you like the Mag-tec diff covers? That's what I put on mine

 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 03:33 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

I do like them too, but they are not reinforced at all for protection, they're just alumium. Probably more susceptible to damage then the stock cover. I don't off-road hard (like rock crawling stuff), but I do go on trail drives and back country trips. All it would take is one rock pointed in just the right direction. Also, I like to go in deep snow in the winter time. In those conditions, you never know what is buried that you can't see. Better safe then sorry is what I think.
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 04:00 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

I dunno man, these things weigh a TON !! I trust them more than stock that's for sure.

Here are some more pics ...



[IMG]local://upfiles/42139/44EB16086D0A44B489BBB783EE29F8DA.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/42139/BA58938831774C23BC31E9D7655D66AE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/42139/3CA1496E57B348AAB584004CF0BD254A.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/42139/E464AA30EB9C48C69F51DCD6E71B2D0E.jpg[/IMG]
 
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 04:17 PM
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Default RE: New Diff Cover Ordered

Looks good. Mines already ordered though so i'm good to go.
 
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