help me choose new diff covers!

[tomseviltwin]

Just so you know the greatlakes cover does not clear a fat tierod in the stock location.

 

[opfor2]

I use a trans pan and rear diff cover from Mag-hytec. They have dip sticks and ports for a temp sensor. I love there covers and pans.

http://www.mag-hytec.com/

 

[Zeus33rd]

I'm back in the game making these things now.

My covers will clear up to atleast a 1 5/8" diameter tie rod. My tierod is 1 5/8" and clear fine.

It's not as easy as you'd think to just drill and tap a hole in the cover. Believe me I know. Pipe thread isn't as easy to get right as a straight thread. Specially in material thicker than 1/4".

My covers are also welded on a housing. And they won't leak. I know what I'm doing as far as welding goes. They could be made of 50 seperate pieces, and they wouldn't leak. There are plans for a 2 or 3 piece cover, instead of the 8 or 9 individual pieces I use now. I'm working on getting set up with a vendor to bend the pieces on a brake.

All 3/8" plate. Total over-kill...but, total piece of mind.

Does anyone else offer flush fit, countersunk bolts? Or drain plugs?

Do we really need dip sticks and temp sender ports?

Some of the other covers have tiny fill holes, almost impossible to get anything into the hole to fill it. Mine are 3/8" NPT. I can make it larger than that if you wanted it.

Un-conditional 100%, lifetime gaurantee.

1/4-3/8" material in the shape of most of these diff covers seem to be, is waaaay more than any of us are going to damage ever. On any rock, any obsticle anywhere. Period. Anymore than that is just rediculous. Like shooting a rabit with a tank.

Ok, I'm done pimping.

I understand that some guys want bling stuff, that looks cool, that people will look at and say "Daaaamn!". Thats fine, to each his own. I try to follow the "form follows fuction" idea. Function first. No extra do-dads or "bling", that don't serve a purpose.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/tech/billavista/PR-ARB/articles/Jethro-built_14b_Diff_Cover_Review

 

[79k20350]

kj, there are a few people offering reccessed bolt holes, im pretty sure glo does. My point about the fill/ drain plugs were simply that they shouldnt be the main selling point. You do make a mean cover! getting them pre bent should save a hell of alot of time, less welding and cutting... Keep up the good work!

 

[cybrfire]

this is a TOUGH question... i voted blue tortch. 4 pieces to the cover not counting the fill plud and the tube around it. 3 welds, again not counting the fill tube deal.

The Razorback is 4 pieces for the main cover itself. Center, upper, lower and ring not counting the razors.

We definitely will be coming out with a 60 cover. Still trying to line up an extra 60 to set it up on. If I have to I'll yank the 60 out of the crew cab to get them going. Trying to avoid that as much as possible.

I doubt you'll have any trouble with any of the covers mentioned in this thread. They are all beefy as hell. The shape of the covers themselves makes for a very structurally sound piece.

If I weren't making my own I'd buy a Kidjethro cover without a second thought.

 

[81jimmyslt]

The Razorback is 4 pieces for the main cover itself. Center, upper, lower and ring not counting the razors.

We definitely will be coming out with a 60 cover. Still trying to line up an extra 60 to set it up on. If I have to I'll yank the 60 out of the crew cab to get them going. Trying to avoid that as much as possible.

I doubt you'll have any trouble with any of the covers mentioned in this thread. They are all beefy as hell. The shape of the covers themselves makes for a very structurally sound piece.

If I weren't making my own I'd buy a Kidjethro cover without a second thought.

Now that you make your own, It's hard to decide between Yours or Kidjethro's......

 

[Ronnie4wd]

I bought mine from Kidjethro 6 months ago and they fit great and hold up really well.
I have drove straight on rocks I haven´t seen in the grass and snow.
Only the paint (who had to be done because they were too bling) was hurt no dents .
If I would need another pair I would go Kidjethro again.

 

[Zeus33rd]

The Razorback is 4 pieces for the main cover itself. Center, upper, lower and ring not counting the razors.

We definitely will be coming out with a 60 cover. Still trying to line up an extra 60 to set it up on. If I have to I'll yank the 60 out of the crew cab to get them going. Trying to avoid that as much as possible.

I doubt you'll have any trouble with any of the covers mentioned in this thread. They are all beefy as hell. The shape of the covers themselves makes for a very structurally sound piece.

If I weren't making my own I'd buy a Kidjethro cover without a second thought.

Kert...Just grab an old junker rear D60 housing from the junk yard. Thats what I did to set up my 60 covers. I think it came from a ford. 60 rears are a dime a dozen. I think I paid like $50 for mine. I have a old 14b housing too. Cut the tubes off both so I can move them around easily, left enough tube on the housing so they'd sit on jack stands.

If I weren't making my own I'd buy a Kidjethro cover without a second thought.

And I the same.

 

[k5 krawler 50]

All the covers you listed seem to be great covers. I bought the GLO diamond plate cover because i just wanted to have something a little different. Just like the diy4x razorback covers, its just in what you like.

 

[jekbrown]

I have GLO front and rear. Shawn offers great customer service, lifetime you-break-it-we-replace-it guarentee and some of the strongest diff covers on the market. You can get a "bare bones" GLO cover for $110 shipped... or for $140 you can get all the options. I have the $110 one on my ff14b and the $140 version on my D60. Couldn't ask for a better diff cover, especially at that price.

j

 

[sled_dog]

I guess it is different but the idea of diamond plate and offroading never has mixed in my mind. Would would anyone want an anti-skid surface on the OUTSIDE of their offroad vehicle? Same thought with Rhino lining and such.

I have BTF covers, they are great quality pieces. I got them cheaper then they are sold now. Dan hooked me up back when I bought my first 14 bolt one on Ebay.

Dynatrac covers definetally break. I think it was GLO that used to include a picture of a broken one in their Ebay ads. It shattered since it is nothing more than cast crap.

 

[79k20350]

I know what you mean about anti skid on a slip surface but...i dont see that cover really acting as a grip surface. id be very suprised if that actually gripped something.

 

[muddyblzr]

i voted on the diy covers mainly because of the ribs. they will provide the cover with alot more rigidity and spread the impact out over more area. and you cant beat the look at price. my next choice is definetly kid jethro's covers sear beef with all the goodies

 

[muddybuddy]

so far i think im leaning towards kerts razor 14b, that thing is jsut to sick lookin to not get it, and at that price...wow. id love to have a front razor too, but since they arent out yet, ill prolly be going with kidjethro's gatta support the ck5 guys :-)

 

[85mudblazin]

GLO if I was going to buy a cover......

 

[cybrfire]

Kert...Just grab an old junker rear D60 housing from the junk yard. Thats what I did to set up my 60 covers.

I actually have one but had some other plans for it. I guess I'll just sacrifice it to the fab gods!

 

[muddybuddy]

kert, it the 60 gonna be a razor as well? bout the same price? how soon do you anticipate having them ready for production? i really want one for the front and rear if at all possible :-)

 

[cybrfire]

Yes, the 60 cover will be a razorback as well. I'm going to get the rear 60 down tomorrow and start work on it. Later this week I'll have a prototype done.

 

[muddybuddy]

i have no problem buying the first one just tell me when your ready

 

[cybrfire]

They'll be posted up in the Vendor's forum as soon as ones completed..