tough diff covers needed

[orangeford79]

I had an unfortunate accident last weekend while wheeling. I hooked a rock and bent my diff cover just enough for all the oil to run out without knowing it. Then I wheeled it the rest of the day and now I have a rearend that howls. I am running a 89 f150 with dana 60's front and rear and 38.5 sx's. I was wondering if anyone runs tougher covers for rock crawling. I have found a few in steel and alluminum. Does anyone run the aluminum preload covers? I was wondering if they crack or anything when contacting a rock? Please send pics of the covers if you can.

[sceep]

Originally Posted by orangeford79

I was wondering if anyone runs tougher covers for rock crawling.

I hear these are near indestructable


you cant be serious can you? come on dude.

[larryboy]

the 10% off deal is probably over,but you won't find a stronger cover.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ighlight=crane

[Howdy]

I've got a Crane cover...Very tough.

[msuforeman]

Mine for the 44 in my 74. It is from www.bluetorchfab.com

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.p...&filename=Diff Cover 001.jpg
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile.p...&filename=Diff Cover 003.jpg

[SquattyD]

crane, blue torch fab, wagoneer machine shop, and missouri off road have some beefy ones....be prepared to shell out the big bucks. a rock ring or diff cage might be better if your budget is tight. or if you know someone with a welder, make one yourself.

[1979Furdkrawler]

GET A BLUE TORCH FAB. COVER ... THEY ROCK! (and yes I am screaming cause they are badass) www.bluetorchfab.com

[Spawn_X]

don't mean to ruin anyone's sale, but look at these..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

cheap, and pretty damn beefy.. i'll be picking one up for my 44.

[Dusty]

I saw that one (the ebay one) a while back and it looks freaking STOUT. I need to get one soon.

[xanthias]

I run some rock "spiders" by Purple Cranium products out of Michigan:



edit: I don't know wtf is up with the red 'x'--the link is right. But, you can click this:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...49989446qmXVRP

The photo is of their unit for the Sterling, but they make both full and half spiders for the Dana 60. In my case, I have a full spider up front, too, but it had to be cut down and custom fabricated to clear the tie rod. I can tell you the spiders are beefy and very reasonable. Both front and rear units shipped to my door (free shipping) for something like $244.

They also have a "Rock Crusher" line of diff covers.

[Proeliator]

Never seen those spider ones before. Are they basically a stock diff cover with the rock guard or is the cover stouter stuff too? I like the stout covers like the cranes over just the rock guards because you can catch a spike of rock just right that will slip through some guards and then your spilling fluid.

[Brad]

Make your own

[SquattyD]

Originally Posted by Proeliator

Never seen those spider ones before. Are they basically a stock diff cover with the rock guard or is the cover stouter stuff too? I like the stout covers like the cranes over just the rock guards because you can catch a spike of rock just right that will slip through some guards and then your spilling fluid.

you use your stock cover and bolt this over it. i doubt you could fit something between them, unless you were driving thru a field of rebar.

[xanthias]

Originally Posted by Proeliator

Never seen those spider ones before. Are they basically a stock diff cover with the rock guard or is the cover stouter stuff too? I like the stout covers like the cranes over just the rock guards because you can catch a spike of rock just right that will slip through some guards and then your spilling fluid.

That's right, it's the stock cover underneath the spider. The bars are about 1/2" diameter and are pressed through the rock ring and then welded. I don't plan to find out anytime soon, but I think it would take a hell of a lick to punture the cover. As for the diff covers, I've got some SS units coming from Kentrol, but those are mainly for bling, not protection. Squatty's right, not a lot of clearance under there, maybe 1/2". The same company does have a "rock crusher" diff covers that are supposed to be tough, but I don't know much about them.

I was disappointed that the front spider had to be cut down to clear my OEM tie rod on my F250. At full lock the tie rod only gives you an inch and some change maybe of clearance from the pumpkin. Naturally, I don't think it's as strong after having done that, but I think "it'll do". If I had it to do over again, I would get the 1/2 spider up front so no custom fabrication would be required (at least on my application). Crossover steering would probably clear up that problem, too.

[Gummi Bear]

Baertrax Buttface. They are super cool, and protect your steering junk. Worth every penny.

http://baertrax.com/