Hey I wanted to buy one of Ron's diff cover (same name, not me)

http://ronscustomshop.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=4

But he is not making them for a while :(

Any comparable products at similar pricing?

Its a rear diff so not critical but it would be nice to have something on there.

Ron

PS it is a 60 shaped cover

Bob Roggy can make some up. I think? At least when I got mine from Ron's he said , "you should have asked I can make you a set". Oh well. I do like Ron's catcher's masks they are definately aggressive looking and stout enough to hold back the tide. But Bob should be able to get you covered.

Talk to Russ Baer www.baertrax.com He currently offers "buttfaces" for D30 and D44's, but I am sure being the competent guy that he is tha the could make some up for d60's as well. (not that they are hard, just time consuming).

www.metalfusionfab.com

http://www.metalfusionfab.com/images/products/Diff_Guards/Diffgaurdhd.jpg

http://www.metalfusionfab.com/diff_guards.htm


Top quality parts... I will be running them when my axles are in.

Originally posted by foley
Talk to Russ Baer www.baertrax.com He currently offers "buttfaces" for D30 and D44's, but I am sure being the competent guy that he is tha the could make some up for d60's as well. (not that they are hard, just time consuming).
if ya want a shovel:flipoff2:
Russ is a good guy and you should check with him....but 'just say no' to the shovel;)

Here's another place to look. Comparable prices to some of the others and very strong.
http://www.avalancheengr.com/rockrings/rock_rings.htm

DRM: That's fawkin' fugly :barf:

My question is, WHY? The thick Dana covers seem to be more than enough protection for me....

Originally posted by Welby
DRM: That's fawkin' fugly :barf:

How so?

Do you prefer that duckbill platapus thing the Baer guy makes? :p

Originally posted by DRM


How so?

Do you prefer that duckbill platapus thing the Baer guy makes? :p

That's fugly too :flipoff2:

im totaly for performance over looks products, but theres no way in hell id put one of those butface things on my rig, i dont even know if id put one on the rig of someone i hate.

So which rock guard do you prefer then Welby?

I am just wondering, since the tube design is pretty much the most prevalent one on the market.....

I think the Avalanche one has a nice outer ring, but still leaves half the cover exposed - so what is the point?

Baaaaa, I'm just messin' with ya. I do think it's ugly, but as long as it works, who cares, right?:D

Originally posted by DRM
So which rock guard do you prefer then Welby?

I am just wondering, since the tube design is pretty much the most prevalent one on the market.....

I think the Avalanche one has a nice outer ring, but still leaves half the cover exposed - so what is the point?

David, the outer ring on the Avalanche guard is the whole reason
I'm looking at getting it. I'm with Lance, I think the thick Dana
covers are plenty strong. I've smacked mine real hard and never
made much of a dent. I'm just real tired of having the bottom of
the cover on my rear D44 get pealed back when I slide it off of
a rock. ( Yes, I've ground the cover down) With the 1/2" ring on
the Avalanche guard I think I can eliminate that problem.

Gotcha....


Ideally (if I have time) I would just build a super thich custom cover to replace the stock one... basically incorporate the Avalanche type ring into the cover itself...

Buddy has a plasm cutter, so I can do the outer ring no problem... may just go that route - we shall see ;)

Originally posted by DRM
Gotcha....


Ideally (if I have time) I would just build a super thich custom cover to replace the stock one... basically incorporate the Avalanche type ring into the cover itself...

Buddy has a plasm cutter, so I can do the outer ring no problem... may just go that route - we shall see ;)


Well, I don't have a buddy with a plasma cutter, so it looks like
I'm stuck with buying something. I figure it'll cost me close to the
same price as the Avalanche guard if I have to pay someone to
fab up a ring.

Ok, so I could see getting a ring if you're having a problem with peeling diff covers (I guess I'm lucky, mine's grinded to fawk, but it's never leaked a drop?) but the Hannibal Lector mask seems a little silly. :p

Originally posted by Lance
Ok, so I could see getting a ring if you're having a problem with peeling diff covers (I guess I'm lucky, mine's grinded to fawk, but it's never leaked a drop?) but the Hannibal Lector mask seems a little silly. :p

i have never pealed either, but i have pushed my tierod into my 9 inch housing, denting the housing.... so, im gonna weld and bent a 3 inch wide 1/2 inch thick plate from top to bottom and my tie rod can hit that all it wants.... :D

I have learned to drive with such precision that I just avoid hitting the diff on rocks.:rolleyes:
But even with my gentle touch, and an occasionaly tap on the diff, I find the thick Dana 44 Cover, and the Corp 14 cover to be plenty of protection.
If I had an ongoing problem, I would probably just weld a 3'" wide x 1/4" flat strap to the problem area and incorporate it right into the ring to help with solving the bottom peeling away.
I deffinitely cant see adding all of that tubing, it looks like a rock magnet to me.
And its kinda dorky looking. :rasta:

H8,
Are there "thick" 14 bolt covers? The one I have seems pretty thin (havn't bent it yet though), and I just added a piece of 3"x1/4" strap to it...

Phil

These look pretty cool. Very expensive though.
http://www.wagonermachine.com/heavy_duty_diff_cover.htm

Originally posted by H8monday
I have learned to drive with such precision that I just avoid hitting the diff on rocks.:rolleyes:
But even with my gentle touch, and an occasionaly tap on the diff, I find the thick Dana 44 Cover, and the Corp 14 cover to be plenty of protection.
If I had an ongoing problem, I would probably just weld a 3'" wide x 1/4" flat strap to the problem area and incorporate it right into the ring to help with solving the bottom peeling away.
I deffinitely cant see adding all of that tubing, it looks like a rock magnet to me.
And its kinda dorky looking. :rasta:

Nice tongue in cheek post there Jeff.:D :D :D :flipoff2:

Originally posted by H8monday
And its kinda dorky looking. :rasta: H8 said Dorky.

I got mine from Ron's, overkill, absolutley. Ugly, matches the driver. Necesary, You haven't seen me play pinball now have you. really I don't know if it's needed but it's different and I'm all over different.

The picture of Hannibal, I thought was me. :)

Ultra extra thick diff covers.... I have a question about this and one reason I didn't go with Tennesse (or someother redneck state) Off Roads covers. How much heat dissipation does a cover do? If you thicken the cover creating a bigger heat sink but not increasing the surface (cooling) area. Does it have any impact?

Originally posted by Paul Gagnon
These look pretty cool. Very expensive though.
http://www.wagonermachine.com/heavy_duty_diff_cover.htm

Talk about the perfect example of how to modifty a stock cover for more protection - there you go (the price is ABSURD though :eek: )

Lance's does not leak because there at noth'n in it.:D :D

I've seen H8 drive and it's all about percession:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Big Rich
Lance's does not leak because there at noth'n in it.:D :D

I've seen H8 drive and it's all about percession:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Don't you mean, More like right foot to the floor????:D :D

Originally posted by Big Rich
Lance's does not leak because there at noth'n in it.:D :D


The sad part is, you're probably right! :rolleyes: :D:D:D

I was talking to Ron last night, he will be back in the summer

And Yes i have :flipoff2: Ron's have a Full ring like the avalance ones, i got it from him because i kept peeling covers, now its just nice and ground down

I agree the buttface ones are pretty ugly, hence the name. The main intent of its shape is to give maximum tie rod protection by actually sticking out past the tie rod. I doubt that would be feasible with the 1 ton steering knuckles cause it would have to stick out like 8". The think I like about it is tha the vertical "fins" are shaped in such a way that they will scoot right over rocks and shit without bending up the mating surface on the diff and scarring all the bolt heads.

Not a perfect solution, but a good idea, another place to start. I tend to build all my own shit, so it rarely ends up looking like anything ANYONE makes already.

Originally posted by DRM


Talk about the perfect example of how to modifty a stock cover for more protection - there you go (the price is ABSURD though :eek: )

you realize that you are getting a full custom cover out of 1/4" plate with 1/2" lower section and 3/8" ring? Its not much more then some of those other options but plenty strong and not :rainbow: I will run my stock cover with some modification to the bottom after I trim up the diff housing.

Originally posted by NE-RokToy


you realize that you are getting a full custom cover out of 1/4" plate with 1/2" lower section and 3/8" ring? Its not much more then some of those other options but plenty strong and not :rainbow: I will run my stock cover with some modification to the bottom after I trim up the diff housing.

So? personally I think they are ALL overpriced if they are more than $19.95 :p:p:p:p

Get the one from Wagner Machine if you never want to worry about it again. Yeah, it's kinda spendy but the reason for that is because there is a lot to it and it's thick. 1/4" thick with a 3/8"
flange, and if you can damage it they'll fix it for free. It's worth it to never have to worry about it again. I'm running dana 60 front covers and I've got dents in them, so the stock ones are not indestructible.

Originally posted by BlueJeep
Get the one from Wagner Machine if you never want to worry about it again. Yeah, it's kinda spendy but the reason for that is because there is a lot to it and it's thick. 1/4" thick with a 3/8"
flange, and if you can damage it they'll fix it for free. It's worth it to never have to worry about it again. I'm running dana 60 front covers and I've got dents in them, so the stock ones are not indestructible.


Sorry dude, but there is no way you can convince me that the $250 WMS cover protects anything any better than the $129 one from MetalFusion that I posted. Sure - you may like the looks better, but better protection to equal double the price - hardly.

Besides - $250 for a guard/cover? Come awn! :rolleyes:

I didn't say I had one, just that if you never want to have to worry about it again that that's the one to get. I have the $35 Dynatrac OEM HP 60 covers on mine, but they're dented.

Originally posted by Lance
My question is, WHY? The thick Dana covers seem to be more than enough protection for me....

Exactly, those covers all look gay. I would only do a cover mod like the cover on Grapenutz.

I got a nice cover for my Dana 60 that is 3/8" thick on the bottom half and 1/8" thick on the top half from http://www.oly4x4.com/main.htm for about $75 (or so...can't remember exactly as it was almost 2 months ago:rasta: ).

They took 3 front covers (1/8" thick) and cut two of them in half and welded them to the third one. Unless you look close you can't even tell it is a triple thick cover.

well i have the thick cover on my d60 front and other than being shaved down on the bottom it is stock. they can take a beating. if you are running a dana rear axle i would sugguest going to the j/yard and snagging a front 44 cover or if a dana60 then just buy one new. Jim's off-road in oakridge tn sells them. with a 14bolt rear like i have you don't have that luxury so i just dug into my metal scrap pile and started adding metal to it's thin cover. the first addition worked well but all i protected was the dome part of the cover and i peeled the lip back casing leaks a few times. i just took it off again and added a more metal to the lip for the bottom half of the cover and then went in and put supports in between the bolts on the bottom part of the cover. i havn't gotten to test it out yet but i doubt it is going anywhere now. cheep, easy and i did it myself :D . the thing i don't like about the bolt on grates is, it is just something else to grab. well atleast it looks like it to me.just my op.

All this stuff either costs more and/or is made of inferior materials.

I will try Bob Roggy though and check what he can do.

Its only a rear so no real biggy, but the rig is long and has the turning radius of the queen mary so I will have to back up a lot.

Ron

After H8 left a plasma thingy ja cutter at my house for a couple of days, making one cost about 4 bucks. Gotta get one of those metal melting ja cutters for keeps.

And Lance, you sould know if it leaks on your rig or not. You are always standing in front spotting while someone that can drive, drives.:flipoff2:

Originally posted by Keith
After H8 left a plasma thingy ja cutter at my house for a couple of days, making one cost about 4 bucks. Gotta get one of those metal melting ja cutters for keeps.

And Lance, you sould know if it leaks on your rig or not. You are always standing in front spotting while someone that can drive, drives.:flipoff2:


I still have the Plasma thingy, if you wanna get creative. I like it so much I have trouble giving it back to Valley Rents,...but hey Ill put bigger stickers on the side of the Jeep for them.
Lemme know if you need it Ill run it over to your place anytime. Just be sure to make 2 of whatever you make, you know I like your designs. :flipoff2:
Gimme a call

funny this thread started,
i started making 3 of them after work yesterday, (for me and acouple co-workers)
i'm going to copy the ones avalanche makes, Except: it's not going to have a complete ring, just bend a 3/4" x 3/4" piece that covers the 2 top bolts and 3 bolts at the bottom, then bend and weld a 2" wide section of 1/4" flat stock between them covering the ring gear area........

why? was looking at my YJ from below it just seemed my $$$ ring gears/detroit's could be damaged if i took a direct hit to the cover, (and i am running the factory thick 44/60 covers)........


fyi, if they come out really good and don't take that much time to make, we are thinking about trying to sell some......i'll post a picture in a few days........when they are done :smokin:

Here's another option.

http://www.mo-offroad.com/d60preloadout.jpg

More info here (http://www.mo-offroad.com/catalog.htm) I don't own one and really don't know anything about them except that I've never heard anything bad about them or the guy who makes them.

Ok, I like to build my own crap. What is the spicer part number for the Dana 60 thick cover so I can order one in?

Thanks!

Ed

Or another option - I'll sell you my used D60 thick cover (1/8") for US$30 with free shipping?

Editted the price - when I found out the price for a new one ;)

Phil
Just custom made one to replace it out of 3/8" plate ;)

What diameter rod do they use for these things (Dana44 cover)? I'm thinking about making my own. I can't decide if I should use 1/2" or 5/8" rod :confused:.

http://www.metalfusionfab.com/images/products/Diff_Guards/Diffgaurdhd.jpg

Originally posted by BadDog
Here's another option.

http://www.mo-offroad.com/d60preloadout.jpg

More info here (http://www.mo-offroad.com/catalog.htm) I don't own one and really don't know anything about them except that I've never heard anything bad about them or the guy who makes them.


The diff wouldn't cool as well.

You know thats my thinking as well.

With that big metal cover on there I would think the heat would be retained more with that on there then with the thich dana cover.

Personally I am going ot make just hte outter ring and maybe a 1/4 plate covering the ring gear, but more then likly just the outter ring so I dont peel a cover.

I just bought an Avalanche model because I keep peeling off my cover on rocks...it will eliminate that.

I have huge dents in my front diff cover and I am getting a 10" weld on pipe cap and cutting it in 1/2 and welding it on there for massive protection.

Call 765-762-2912 or 765-762-2984, and ask for Michael. I met him in JV for Pro-Rock event. He is one of the guys from the Badlands (Attica, Indiana). Makes one bad ass Dana 60 cover. It is not a guard, its a replacement cover. Im getting one myself very soon. Sorry no pics, I have to pay Lance in Farmington at the end of the month if he's there and get my star :D.

Do you guys really think that a thicker diff cover will make a noticeable difference in the gear oil temp? Steel (even thick steel) is a good conductor of heat, no?

I just made a custom cover with a 3/8" thick flange, and 3/8" thick over the ring gear. Rest of it is 3/16". I am not worried about diff temps. Of course I don't go over 70mph anymore and the one ton axles should not be working hard (hot) on a Jeep.

Phil

Originally posted by Lance
My question is, WHY? The thick Dana covers seem to be more than enough protection for me....

Interesting comment. I'm building a set of 60s right now. The Ford RC front has a decent cover, but the older Ford rear is a joke. The cover is totally fawkin' weenie, like I could bend it with my bare hands. Weird.
Dion

I am from Charlotte, and I went by the 4Wheel Parts store there over spring break, and they sell those tube diff protectors. I am seriously thinking about getting one for my front 44. They do look a tad on the :rainbow: side but i think it might be worth it. First off, my stock 44 cover is some thin junk. I know a ton of people who dent their diff covers all the time (most on zuki/toy/rover axles, oops). I also think that it will help keep the diff from catching that lip on a rock. I think it will be better for diff temps than replacing the cover with something thicker. Lastly, I plan on going with an OX in my front and hopefully that will protect my invest. Last thing I want to do is slam that OX cover into a rock and find that I will need to buy a new one after that trip.

Here's a funny story about those diff guards. I live in MN, just down the road from this guy Ron - nice guy.
One of the guys in my club bought one of his last 8.8 guards and installed it on his heavily modified TJ. Last weekend, went offroading and figured he busted a shock or 2, the rear suspension was compressed a couple inches, wouldn't pop back up. well, there's a lot of snow around, so he can't see what has happened. turns out the chinguard got up past his gas tank skid plate and got stuck on it ;)

Make sure you have enough clearance kids:D

Originally posted by liveaxle



The diff wouldn't cool as well.

well for a front that has lockouts or front and rear for a rig that doesn't see the road very often i doubt this would be an issue.

Dude wait for Ron to start making them again. His shit is bad. I've got them on my 60 and 10.25. He definitely has the best ones(solid cold rolled steel) and the best prices. I ran into a boulder with my front one and broke off a 12"x 6" rock. No harm to the guard