Rough Country Rear Differential Skid Plate Works!

[Fawnbuster]

Does it have mounting bolts on the rear? Only see the bolts on the front side.

Link to product?

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[daniel3507]

Does it have mounting bolts on the rear? Only see the bolts on the front side.

Link to product?

There should be a link in the first post. It has the collar like clamp thing on the front but it also uses the bottom 4 bolts of the diff cover. It does come with new hardware for those 4.

 

[Wasatch]

Mine arrived as well -- thanks again for sharing.

Before I install it, another question How close was the diff's bolt pattern to that of the skid plate's, as you tightened it down?
I'm wondering about applying non-designed forces to the differential (eg if something were to hit the plate), if the bolt pattern isn't exact.

Also, did your diff leak at all when you removed the bottom 4 bolts? Anything unexpected during installation?

The skid matches perfect and rests flush on the bottom of the axle.

No leaks , and the bolts go through the diff cover and into the axle housing (they're all through bolts. I wouldn't worry as jeep guys have been using these for years without issue.

 

[Wasatch]

Does it have mounting bolts on the rear? Only see the bolts on the front side.

Link to product?

Yes. It comes with 4 longer bolts and washers for mounting the skid on the rear of the axle. Link is in the first post.

 

[Msfitoy]

The differential is 'unsprung weight' therefore your ride height will not be effected. Personally, I saw zero difference in ride quality or notice anything different.

Thanks for verifying...how much does it extend below diff?

 

[Wasatch]

Thanks for verifying...how much does it extend below diff?

I don't have exact measurements, I would say somewhere between .5''-1''.

 

[Msfitoy]

I don't have exact measurements, I would say somewhere between .5''-1''.

So that means loosing .5" - 1" clearance?

 

[Wasatch]

So that means loosing .5" - 1" clearance?

In that particular area, yes. But, if I am heading over a rock and the clearance is that tight, I'd rather drag a 1/4" skid over it instead rather my differential.

Also, it protects the driveshaft and u-joints as well.

 

[Msfitoy]

In that particular area, yes. But, if I am heading over a rock and the clearance is that tight, I'd rather drag a 1/4" skid over it instead rather my differential.

Also, it protects the driveshaft and u-joints as well.

That's true...l think I will still install that...where did you get the spacers?

 

[jblc]

@jblc honestly you're better off just replacing the fluid and not worrying about leaks. You're already down there doing half the work so you might as well put fresh fluid in.

My vehicle is only at 300 miles, so no need to replace the fluid.

 

[jblc]

For installation, was lifting the back end needed?

Jacking the rear is in the instructions, but I'm not sure why -- there's plenty of clearance.

Maybe it's for unloading the diff, etc, so just curious if anyone knows.

 

[jblc]

In trying to install this as well, I'm seeing some concerning behavior from the front top bracket.

The instructions say to torque front two bolts (that hold the top bracket in place) to 130 ft-lb. This is a large torque.

I'm only at 50 ft-lb, and the top entire bracket assembly is distorted. It's been a constant 50 ft-lb now for quite a few turns, but the assembly just continues to distort; no increase in torque. This doesn't seem right, given how far from the 130 ft-lb I'm at.

Is this an error in the documentation? Design error? Working as expected? If the latter, why is the bracket distorting so significantly?

I'm concerned that this will harm the diff somehow (especially the bearing, eg crack the iron), or the plate.

The top bracket used to be straight, now it's bent in the middle

The bottom mating surface (of the top bracket half), used to be straight. Now it's bent quite a bit. Similarly, the bottom mating surface used to be flat, and is also starting to bend a bit.

Again, I'm only at 50 ft-lb, and the target is 130...

 

[Wasatch]

Is this an error in the documentation? Design error? Working as expected? If the latter, why is the bracket distorting so significantly?

Also important to note this was not designed for the Ranger, so you have to take instructions with a grain of salt. The bracket is distorting because it isn't made for our axle, and the JL most likely has a slightly different height (shorter) than our housing. I found with spacers or a stack of washers, the bracket fits really well.

 

[Willcuts93]

In trying to install this as well, I'm seeing some concerning behavior from the front top bracket.

The instructions say to torque front two bolts (that hold the top bracket in place) to 130 ft-lb. This is a large torque.

I'm only at 50 ft-lb, and the top entire bracket assembly is distorted. It's been a constant 50 ft-lb now for quite a few turns, but the assembly just continues to distort; no increase in torque. This doesn't seem right, given how far from the 130 ft-lb I'm at.

Is this an error in the documentation? Design error? Working as expected? If the latter, why is the bracket distorting so significantly?

I'm concerned that this will harm the diff somehow (especially the bearing, eg crack the iron), or the plate.

The top bracket used to be straight, now it's bent in the middle

The bottom mating surface (of the top bracket half), used to be straight. Now it's bent quite a bit. Similarly, the bottom mating surface used to be flat, and is also starting to bend a bit.

Again, I'm only at 50 ft-lb, and the target is 130...

I pulled up the instructions and torque spec for that 3/8 bolt is 30 ft lbs not 130. Using a 9/16 socket is not a 9/16 bolt... The did write it in a confusing way.

 

[jblc]

Ah That is indeed written a bit confusingly.

I will have to order another top bracket from rough country -- this one is surely ruined, and the torque specs no longer apply.

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