Author Topic: Differential Guards  (Read 3384 times)

Offline B52BUFF

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Differential Guards
« on: September 10, 2009, 07:44:23 PM »
I am looking to put on a differential guard on my TJ.  What does Dana 30, Dana 35, and Dana 40 mean? Any recommendations?

Offline calvynandhobbs

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2009, 09:41:32 PM »
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

1994 YJ on 37s

Offline BlacXJeep

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2009, 09:46:44 PM »
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.
Andy Doucette - A.K.A.(Douce)
W.O.J.

Offline kirksjeep

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2009, 01:02:36 AM »
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
1992 YJ Sahara, 4.5 Rubicon Express ED Lift, 35" BFG MT, Custom Bumpers, SYE/CV Drive Shaft, OBA, Ford 8.8 rear, 4.10 gears, tie rod flip, 1"MML/BL
2002 KJ Liberty, 2" Lift, 31" tires/DD
2002 F-150 Harley Davidson 5.4L SC
2013 Explorer Sport
2006 Harley Road King Classic
1988 Honda Hawk GT

Offline BlacXJeep

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2009, 01:26:36 AM »
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.
Andy Doucette - A.K.A.(Douce)
W.O.J.

flexj

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2009, 02:05:20 AM »
Why would you need to guard differentials?  Are they valuable?

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2009, 02:42:25 AM »
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.

Offline BlacXJeep

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2009, 02:53:01 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2009, 02:57:39 AM by BlacXJeep »
Andy Doucette - A.K.A.(Douce)
W.O.J.

Offline kirksjeep

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2009, 03:04:31 AM »
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. 
1992 YJ Sahara, 4.5 Rubicon Express ED Lift, 35" BFG MT, Custom Bumpers, SYE/CV Drive Shaft, OBA, Ford 8.8 rear, 4.10 gears, tie rod flip, 1"MML/BL
2002 KJ Liberty, 2" Lift, 31" tires/DD
2002 F-150 Harley Davidson 5.4L SC
2013 Explorer Sport
2006 Harley Road King Classic
1988 Honda Hawk GT

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2009, 02:02:14 PM »
Thanks.  I will now try to figure out where the money is going to come from. ;D

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2009, 02:07:37 PM »
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?

Offline calvynandhobbs

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2009, 02:16:14 PM »
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.
1994 YJ on 37s

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #12 on: September 11, 2009, 02:17:52 PM »
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.

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #13 on: September 11, 2009, 02:20:58 PM »
Yup 35

Offline B52BUFF

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Re: Differential Guards
« Reply #14 on: September 11, 2009, 02:27:12 PM »
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. :o  My wife is an accountant.  You try sneaking cash out. :(