Better D44 Differential Cover?

The M38A1 axles under my CJ2A have the drain holes, the axles under my 67 CJ5 don't have them.

 

I have riddler diff covers on my JK and TJ. They’re a bit pricey, but extremely strong. I like that they are not flashy like some other options, although they still wouldn’t look very “period correct” on a CJ if that’s a concern to you.
Riddler Manufacturing RD44 Differential Cover for Dana 44 Axles

 

No time to try and measure the Wagoneer cover right now - 0.15" seems thicker than what I remember. Maybe the Ford one is heavier than the Dana part. Could be, bigger heavier vehicle might warrant it. Seems like the mfrs put a heavy cover on the front axle because you are expected to run into rocks and such with it. Not so much on the rear. Following this reasoning, impact on the rear cover will be less than the front; if you're going to go custom, buying for the front would seem like the best use of your money. Then put the Wagoneer cover (or Ford - maybe Ford has a PN and you can buy it across the parts counter) for the rear axle. The Wagoneer cover is $48 postage-paid from BJ's - less than half the custom covers. Join a Wagoneer forum (ifsja.org, fsjnetwork.com) and get a modest discount from BJ's.

 

Not only that, but the rear cover can be susceptible to damage when moving forward too. Especially stamped steel covers as the edges are occasionally too large causing them to get caught on rocks and peel the cover back, dumping all your fluid.

 

Here is the footage listen for the clank:

 

I have the "solid" type cast cover except mine says " rock crusher" Only thing to be aware of the fill plug is higher than stock and theres no breather in the cover. Personally I'd ( and mine needs) a vent drilled/ attached up top. If you have the d44 with the hole in the axle tube, fill to bottom of diff plug it looks like the Valdez crashed in your garage the next day...

 

I think the problem with the stock "breather" is way larger than marking its spot on the garage floor. That hole in the axle tube virtually guaranties sucking water into the system at every water crossing where it gets submerged. When you really clean out a housing, almost all will exhibit significant rust around that port. Drill, tap, and install a set screw with JB Weld and then either drill/tap the housing or cover for a vent line terminated as high as you can get it.

 

Agreed, mines going to get tacked closed and a vent added when I service the diff this fall .

 

I picked up 2 cast steel aftermarket covers on eBay a couple years back for $70/pair. Also, if you are running a D25/27/30 up front, the WW2 MB/GPW front covers are cast steel and indestructible.
-Donny

 

That's what I'm using. Not sure what they bring anymore but likely cheaper than any aftermarket piece, if anything is even available from the aftermarket anymore and, they look right..... don't stand out to most folks. I believe they are cast steel.

 

On my build with a 44 front and rear, I used a poison Spyder in the front as the ruff stuff hit the tie rods on the Rotor 44. Then moved the ruff stuff to the rear. I feel that both of them will survive anything the axel can take.
Jay

 

This is what I used, but I got a used one from the junkyard.

 

@ITLKSEZ Speaking 44s what about the rodeo 44 aluminum cover?

 

It’s cast aluminum.

It looks cool, but I’m very conscious of it in the rocks.