I need to find some protection for my Ford 8.8 rear sometime before I hit Moab at the end of the month. I've been waiting for FourXDoctor to get off their a**, they said it'd be a couple weeks out a couple months ago. They still don't know when they're going to get around to it.

The avalanche ring is way too expensive and wont work, anyway, since the top of my diff cover actually hits my gas tank under full compression.

Are there any other fabricators that make a diff. protector for the Ford 8.8?? Challanger has a design similar to FXD, but they don't seem to have one for the 8.8.

I have seen some writeups of making a complete skid, but I am hoping to just get something lighter and cleaner looking.

Thanks!
- Rif

hey dif, check out my clubs' website, tennessee4x4.com/trailrunners. there's a
message board you can try.most folks there
are pretty friendly. dumplin'


<IMG SRC="smilies/eyemouth.gif" border="0">

thanks, dumplin', I might check it out....

anyone else have any info?

Just get a T/A cover. That will provide a whole lot more protection then the stock tin foil or fiberglass cover. Depending on which one you lucked out on.

why are you so worried about it? I've never seen anyone bang up a diff cover bad enough that it didnt work. remember they can be beatin back into shape with a rock and patched with duct tape if it really gets that bad. I don't see how it would though

contact Ron www.ronscustomshop.bigstep.com (http://www.ronscustomshop.bigstep.com)

he buil mine and is now selling them http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=595221688

he is making D44 and D60 ones now, but will most likely be more then happy to fab one for a 8.8

Thanks welndmn, that's exactly the type of thing I am looking for. Very similar to FXD design, their EXTREME model is pretty coo too, but will not work on my TJ. The prices are not outrageous either, I send him a message and we'll see how it goes.

- Rif

Have you thought about putting a girdle cover on it?

It also helps keep the carrier in place..

Here's a few references:
http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/ford88girdlesystems.htm http://www.therangerstation.com/Axles.html (scroll down to axle girdle for ford part #'s) http://www.taperformance.com/rearend.htm (the original, and is what ford uses)

You get a stronger axle housing, plus cover protection. doing this.

I've got the Grantatelli cover on my YJ. It's a very stout unit. It does rub the gas tank just a little bit. Not enough to worry about, but just a bit.

$160 for one of those aluminum covers? No way... one good smack and CRACK!!!

I talked to Ron and already placed my order for one of his standard 8.8 covers. They are similar in design to the FXD, however, they use a full ring around the cover and his newer design seems to have a couple of brace pieces to provide more up-down strength.

- Rif

Actually, no, it's not one good smack.

The T/A cover can take more abuse than you can dish out to it. They've tried to destroy them - you can't. They are solid alumimun, milled down to 1/2" thick shit. They have placed them in 50,000lb presses, and they don't bend.

I know - I had one, and tried. I know of another one, and it's not having any problems. Have you tried one?

They also increase fluid capacity, (for better cooling), and keep help keep the bearings caps in place (which keeps you from destroying the carrier/gears).

check this one out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=595221679

Originally posted by Clint Martin:
<STRONG>check this one out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=595221679</STRONG>

Yup, that's Ron's. They guy I'm getting mine from.

Go you here: http://www.ronscustomshop.bigstep.com/
<IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">
Several members of the 2 big broncos 4x4 club have already or have on order these diff guards. You may find more comments at http://www.2bigbroncos.org

Have fun wheeling. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[ 09-10-2001: Message edited by: Rockbuggy ]

I got my guard today from Ron's custom shop, very beefy! It is primered, ready for paint. The ring is 3/8" steel. I highly reccomend it. For those of you who didn't see the link above, here it is again:
http://www.ronscustomshop.bigstep.com/

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=907832&a=13537147&p=54232737

- Rif

Originally posted by Rifraf:
<STRONG>I got my guard today from Ron's custom shop, very beefy! It is primered, ready for paint. The ring is 3/8" steel. I highly reccomend it. For those of you who didn't see the link above, here it is again:
http://www.ronscustomshop.bigstep.com/

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=907832&a=13537147&p=54232737

- Rif</STRONG>


if you ever saw his D44 pic on E-bay and i think a few on his site, with the blue diff cover, its my rig <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

Crane High Clearance now has Ford 8.8" covers available, along with Dana 30/35/44/60s. They are extremely durable. I have one on the front of my Dodge (Dana 44), and am very happy with it. They are available at www.highclearance.com

Originally posted by Rifraf
$160 for one of those aluminum covers? No way... one good smack and CRACK!!!

Not even close to being right. I've been beating the snot out of my SVO girdle for five years and the only mark is a slight roughening of the bottom edge.