JT4x4

The Mud Pit => Wrenching => Topic started by: BlacXJeep on May 22, 2009, 12:32:13 AM

Title: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 22, 2009, 12:32:13 AM
Put a good Quarter size dent In my front diff at Breakneck. Looking for some opinions on what to go with. Cover or skid/guard? And what brand? If I could get a decent product and stay under/around $100 that would be super. Trying not to break my wallet but at the same time not compromise quality too much. Right now I'm thinking about going with the
solid cover which is $80. Anybody have any of their products? what do you reccomend?
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: kirksjeep on May 22, 2009, 12:51:49 AM
I have Solid Diff covers front and rear.  They recently lowered thier prices from $120 down to $80 and over Cristmas they were as cheap as $60.  They are very heavy and have a lifetime warranty.  The "kit" includes the cover, new allen head bolts, tube of gasket maker, and a sticker.  If you call them directly they will give you a 5% Military discount and with shipping the total is $90. 

When I installed mine I re-used the stock bolts that were in the D30 and 8.8.  The Allen bolts were ok, but I decided to stay with the standard bolts since they are harder to strip out. 
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: Axle on May 22, 2009, 02:03:27 AM
X2, what he said.  Solid diff covers are fairly cheap and worth every penny.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 22, 2009, 02:31:30 AM
Ok, so I guess I had already made the right choice! thanks guys
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: Axle on May 22, 2009, 03:15:20 AM
They (Solid) make two versions for the Dana 30.  Aluminum and Steel.  Be sure you get the steel version.  The aluminum one is strong, but when you scrape it on a rock, you'll lose a lot of material.  The steel is better in that department, but they retain more heat and for longer periods than the aluminum.  Not really a big deal when you are off road going <5mph imo.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 22, 2009, 04:41:50 AM
Good point, I just looked up the one for $80 at  4Wheelparts and its heat treated 100% ductile steel, but I'm glad you brought that up I certainly don't want aluminum.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: kirksjeep on May 22, 2009, 11:43:25 PM
Use the coupon code I posted MEM52109 and get 15% this weekend!!!!  It will save you $12.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 23, 2009, 12:40:05 AM
Use the coupon code I posted MEM52109 and get 15% this weekend!!!!  It will save you $12.

Unfortunately its probably going to ahve to wait a few weeks. hope to have it installed before next time I go offroad tho
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: One-Eye on May 29, 2009, 02:59:26 PM
Not sure if I am late chiming in here but I have a set of Bad Apple Fab Diff guards front and rear and I have beat the hell out of mine and they have held up great.  $55 a piece.  I bought mine about 2-3 years ago and sold them for $105 a pair.  Here is the website. http://badapplefab.com/index.php (http://badapplefab.com/index.php)
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: PaulW on May 29, 2009, 04:16:21 PM
I wonder if you could just put another stock one on top.  double the thickness for about 10 bucks at the bone yard.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 29, 2009, 10:47:17 PM
Not sure if I am late chiming in here but I have a set of Bad Apple Fab Diff guards front and rear and I have beat the hell out of mine and they have held up great.  $55 a piece.  I bought mine about 2-3 years ago and sold them for $105 a pair.  Here is the website. http://badapplefab.com/index.php (http://badapplefab.com/index.php)

I may look into those, I think I prefer having full coverage tho. So as far as that goes the Solid covers are the best bang for the buck.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: kirksjeep on May 29, 2009, 11:12:04 PM
Not sure if I am late chiming in here but I have a set of Bad Apple Fab Diff guards front and rear and I have beat the hell out of mine and they have held up great.  $55 a piece.  I bought mine about 2-3 years ago and sold them for $105 a pair.  Here is the website. http://badapplefab.com/index.php (http://badapplefab.com/index.php)

I may look into those, I think I prefer having full coverage tho. So as far as that goes the Solid covers are the best bang for the buck.

I think the Solid are the best bang for the buck, and I did a lot of research before buying them.  I read on Jeep Forum that one guy was having a really hard time buying them through 4wd hardware and Quadratech.  If this is the way you want to go I recommend going directly through Solid and skip the middle man.  Here is a link to their site:
http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=7


I also recommend calling and asking for military discount, good for 5% off.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on May 30, 2009, 01:29:29 AM
Will do!
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: One-Eye on June 03, 2009, 03:24:07 AM
I know when I tried to buy the Rock Crusher dif guards (A.K.A. Solid), they were on back order from Australia for over 2 months!!! That is why I ended going with Bad Apple Fab.  I don't know if that is still the case or not but just something to ask before you order.  I ordered first then found out and had to cancell the order.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: kirksjeep on June 03, 2009, 06:37:09 AM
I know when I tried to buy the Rock Crusher dif guards (A.K.A. Solid), they were on back order from Australia for over 2 months!!! That is why I ended going with Bad Apple Fab.  I don't know if that is still the case or not but just something to ask before you order.  I ordered first then found out and had to cancell the order.

When Solid bought the design they started producing them right here in the states, down south I think.  Both of mine arrived a couple of days after I ordered them.  Solid website also lists which one are out of stock.  The D30 went out of stock fast when they were selling for $60 around Christmas time.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BayouGold on June 03, 2009, 06:51:13 PM
I know when I tried to buy the Rock Crusher dif guards (A.K.A. Solid), they were on back order from Australia for over 2 months!!! That is why I ended going with Bad Apple Fab.  I don't know if that is still the case or not but just something to ask before you order.  I ordered first then found out and had to cancell the order.

When Solid bought the design they started producing them right here in the states, down south I think.  Both of mine arrived a couple of days after I ordered them.  Solid website also lists which one are out of stock.  The D30 went out of stock fast when they were selling for $60 around Christmas time.

the rockcrushers are made in ohio here in the states. that's what i ended up getting.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 04, 2009, 02:08:45 AM
Just ordered D30 diff cover straight from solid! cant wait to paint it red and put it on!

(http://i42.tinypic.com/2u6l1c5.gif)
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: Axle on June 04, 2009, 02:22:42 PM
Awesome!  You won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 05, 2009, 12:58:27 AM
Glad to hear it! Next purchases will be Skid Row Offroad Engine & Transmission Skid Plate, JKS disconnects, JCR offroad sliders. Not necessarily in that order.  ;D
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: calvynandhobbs on June 05, 2009, 04:15:06 AM
You've got me thinking about diff cover guards now. I sent an email to Solid today to see if they make covers for the 8.25 so that I can get a matching set. They don't show them on the website. If they don't I'll have to get the 8.25 cover from somewhere else.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 05, 2009, 04:30:55 AM
You've got me thinking about diff cover guards now. I sent an email to Solid today to see if they make covers for the 8.25 so that I can get a matching set. They don't show them on the website. If they don't I'll have to get the 8.25 cover from somewhere else.

I'll look around and see what I come up with
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 05, 2009, 04:38:35 AM
"Solid" doesn't make one, however from what I understand they merged with rockcrusher, and it appears that Quadratec still sells them. Little more pricey though, but its the same company. It just says "rockcrusher" instead of solid, which is cooler anyways if you ask me.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/52448_1011.htm

 ruff stuff has one for $115 for the 8.25, looks nice and the bolts are all countersunk.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/chrysler-825-38-one-piece-diff-cover-p-152.html
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 05, 2009, 04:55:04 AM
or maybe they do make them? all the ones i found said rock crusher
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: calvynandhobbs on June 05, 2009, 01:44:25 PM
I saw the ones from Ruffstuffspecialties last night. I went ahead and put my 2nd bicycle motor up for sale last night. If I can sell that I use the money to buy diff covers. I was thinking about it and I only need one bike with a motor. I'd rather free up the money for Jeep stuff. I'm going to search through 4wd Hardware today and see what they carry.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: calvynandhobbs on June 09, 2009, 09:20:39 PM
I sold my 4-stroke bicycle motor already so I have freed up a little cash. I was thinking about going ahead and putting diff covers on both ends and this isn't a bad price from Quadratec. $179 for the pair of Rock Crushers. Everything that I've been looking at for the 8.25 by itself is over $100.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/52448_1109.htm (http://www.quadratec.com/products/52448_1109.htm)

Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 09, 2009, 10:42:01 PM
Nice man thats a good deal. They look identical to my Solid cover, got it today. I'm gonna wait on the rear, cuz im eventually going to be swapping the 35 out as well. Not sure with what yet. But yah good stuff Roger. Now we wont have to cringe so much when we bouce off rocks haha.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 10, 2009, 12:21:44 AM
I think the only other difference is mine is powder coated, not sure about the ones your looking at.
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: PaulW on June 10, 2009, 03:06:23 AM
Just ordered D30 diff cover straight from solid! cant wait to paint it red and put it on!

(http://i42.tinypic.com/2u6l1c5.gif)

paint it pink
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 10, 2009, 07:16:03 PM
I don't think i want to paint it, its got a pretty silver speckly powdercoat...  8)
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: Swagger on June 10, 2009, 08:08:36 PM
?Pretty?  ???
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: BlacXJeep on June 10, 2009, 11:43:55 PM
Ok, man its got a Rugged bad ass powder coat? better?
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: Swagger on June 11, 2009, 02:15:16 AM
much
Title: Re: Budget Dana 30 Diff cover or Guard
Post by: PaulW on June 11, 2009, 06:29:50 AM
Ok, man its got a Rugged bad ass powder coat? better?

i like new england primer myself!!