Rear differential protection

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Been looking into protection for the rear diff, Ive see that a member successfully used the rough country Jeep M220 skid plate, but after looking at how its attached, I decided to look elsewhere. I also want to run a beefed up diff cover so dont want a skid plate that attaches via the cover bolts. So I found the one below and ordered it.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate-dsp.html

Once I receive it, Ill update this post with pics and any fitment issues i see after test fitting etc.

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[Trigganometry]

Been looking into protection for the rear diff, Ive see that a member successfully used the rough country Jeep M220 skid plate, but after looking at how its attached, I decided to look elsewhere. I also want to run a beefed up diff cover so dont want a skid plate that attaches via the cover bolts. So I found the one below and ordered it.

https://metalcloak.com/jl-wrangler-m220-rear-differential-skid-plate-dsp.html

Once I receive it, Ill update this post with pics and any fitment issues i see after test fitting etc.

7 ga steel is 3/16 of an inch thick. That should be plenty of protection

 

[Frenchy]

Quite interesting to say the least. Now unless you really plan to hit the extreme OffRoad then you should be fine. With the Old Man EMU lift and 285/70-17 tires I haven't had any issues

 

[dirtystevedirt]

Looks like this one works too.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rough-country-rear-differential-skid-plate-works.13159/

 

[Frenchy]

Looks like this one works too.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/rough-country-rear-differential-skid-plate-works.13159/

The OP has already mentioned that one but didnt like the idea of bolting to the diff cover

 

[halligan1201]

Following for your update for sure

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Thought I was looking at a 1-2 week wait on the skid plate, but just got shipping notification and it should arrive Friday. If it arrives early enough, Ill mess around with it Friday night.

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Update: Package was sent from Sacramento CA via fedex. Im in Southern California and the package should never have left the state. As of today the package has been sitting at a fedex location in Fort Worth Texas for the last 2 days.

 

[Frenchy]

Update: Package was sent from Sacramento CA via fedex. Im in Southern California and the package should never have left the state. As of today the package has been sitting at a fedex location in Fort Worth Texas for the last 2 days.

Lol yeah that is the wonderful joy of Fedex not making sense..... Ok to them it makes sense!!

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Alright, finally arrived, hopefully I can get under the truck tomorrow to see if it works.

 

[Scooter]

The stuff they can make with modern CNC machinery is very Cool !

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Test fit was positive. Top piece fit perfect. Brake lines need to be pulled out a bit to slide the upper arms around the axle tubes, but once in place the brake lines should go right back into position without interference. I am not fully installing yet as I am also replacing the diff cover and plan to just do it all at once. There is no provision to access the drain bolt for the diff in the skid plate so i Dont want to install and then have to remove a few weeks later to do the diff cover. I will update again once everything is complete and will include pics.

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

Its in and went in without any issues, brake lines clear once they are put back in their brackets.

 

[onobeka]

@Ds_2020Ranger thank you for posting the detailed pictures. It looks very nice! I am currently building a cover for the differential myself. I have a different differential, not Dana, on the EU model and the ones that I can buy off the shelf are 300 eur + transport + taxes.

I have one question. Do you remember if the protection touches/rests against the bottom of the differential or is there a gap? If the cover touches, the differential with the cover would be stronger together in an impact, yet rust will be an issue. So I am contemplating which way to go. Currently I've designed mine to rest against the differential, but maybe it's not the best idea.

 

[Ds_2020Ranger]

@onobeka Ill crawl under there this weekend and shine a flashlight to see if I can tell, need to check the bolts any ways to make sure they are still torqued properly. Only downside I see with my setup is there is no provision for accessing the drain plug.

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