Differential Guards

[B52BUFF]

I am looking to put on a differential guard on my TJ.  What does Dana 30, Dana 35, and Dana 40 mean? Any recommendations?

[calvynandhobbs]

The D30, D35 and D44 are all types of axles. In your 97 TJ you have a D30 front axle. The rear axle could be a D35 or a D44 (I think some TJs had them in 97). Here's a link with a differential identification chart:

http://www.nationwideparts.com/differentials.htm

I have differential covers from RuffStuffSpecialties on my TJ currently. Others in the club have covers from Solid or I think they are called RockStompers or something now. Here's a link to RuffStuffSpecialties:

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/differential-covers-c-5.html?osCsid=ea098f54baf3f6d4637da05d510e02fd

[BlacXJeep]

The D30, D35 and D44 are all types of axles. In your 97 TJ you have a D30 front axle. The rear axle could be a D35 or a D44 (I think some TJs had them in 97). Here's a link with a differential identification chart:

http://www.nationwideparts.com/differentials.htm

I have differential covers from RuffStuffSpecialties on my TJ currently. Others in the club have covers from Solid or I think they are called RockStompers or something now. Here's a link to RuffStuffSpecialties:

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/differential-covers-c-5.html?osCsid=ea098f54baf3f6d4637da05d510e02fd

Ahh beat me to it Roger. But the Solid Axle industries are just called solid now, they used to be Rock Crusher. Depending on the axle you have you might find covers that say either "solid" or "rock crusher", but they are the same thing, and the price is right. I'm running a solid cover on my dana 30 up front. And I believe Kirk is running rock Crushers front and rear.

[kirksjeep]

I am running Solids front and rear.   Here is a link to buy directly through Solid and is usually the cheapest way to go.  It looks like they are running their 1/2 off sale again!!!

http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=7

[BlacXJeep]

yeah I think I payed over $90. Damn it! Chuck buy it now and save yourself the cash. They are nice, and I don't think there is anything that compared out there for the price.

[flexj]

Why would you need to guard differentials?  Are they valuable?

[B52BUFF]

I am running Solids front and rear.   Here is a link to buy directly through Solid and is usually the cheapest way to go.  It looks like they are running their 1/2 off sale again!!!

http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=7

Are these guards or just covers?  Do they offer any additional protection?  I really don't know.  I was advised by my brother to look into a differential Guard for off roading .  Thanks for all the advise so far.

[BlacXJeep]

They are full covers and they offer alot more protection because they are made out of thick zinc plated steel. In other words you will be replacing the covers that are on there stock completely. Its a simple job. I think that they are better than guards. But you can get those also. Here is a good example of a diff guard http://www.rocky-road.com/diffguard.html. Its really personal preference. I think a full cover looks alot better, and should be plenty for the kind of wheeling we do. Unless you plan on competing or purposely bouncing your diff off boulders the Solid covers should hold up fine, and I'm sure Kirk will concur.

[kirksjeep]

Some guys run guard rings and some run full covers.  I like the full covers bacuse they are beefy.  Full covers usually cost more $$$ but when Solid puts them on sale they cheaper then rings.  When you see them on a Jeep you really can't get a feel for how thick full covers really are.  Also Soild will send you new sealant, new bolts, a lifetime warranty and a Sticker. 

If you can afford it, I recommend front and rear covers.  My rear one has been hit as often at the front, but mostly from sliding the rear diff over something. 

[B52BUFF]

Thanks.  I will now try to figure out where the money is going to come from.

[B52BUFF]

The D30, D35 and D44 are all types of axles. In your 97 TJ you have a D30 front axle. The rear axle could be a D35 or a D44 (I think some TJs had them in 97).

Actually mine is an 06' TJ.  My brother had a 95' YJ.

What does the 06' have?

[calvynandhobbs]

The D30, D35 and D44 are all types of axles. In your 97 TJ you have a D30 front axle. The rear axle could be a D35 or a D44 (I think some TJs had them in 97).

Actually mine is an 06' TJ.  My brother had a 95' YJ.

What does the 06' have?

Still has a D30 front axle.

[B52BUFF]

I just went out and looked at them.  Based what I saw in the pictures the front is a 30 and the rear is a 35.  I want to clean the mud off the rear a little more just to be sure.

[B52BUFF]

Yup 35

[B52BUFF]

I am going to have to wait to do this.  I am looking at the finacial situation and I cannot currently purchase these parts without threat of immediate castration.   My wife is an accountant.  You try sneaking cash out.