Ford Performance vs. ARB vs. Other Rear Differential Cover

[SierraBronco]

After looking online for awhile, I am buying the Next Ventures rear diff skid plate as it seems to be the most robust, straigtforward, and flexible option. For the rear diff cover, I am mainly considering the Next Ventures cover (https://nextventuremotorsports.com/...or-skids/products/bronco-rear-diff-cover-m220) as it seems really robust, or the Ford Perfomance cover (https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-4033-BR).

Next Venture makes sense as it pairs perfectly with the skid plate but has no drain plug.

But the Ford Performance, especially if painted by the end user, seems like a very good option, has a drain plug, and plans for the brake line routing.

Since you have installed yours, any additional thoughts?

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend anything from Next Venture. Not having a drain plug is a drag, but with the reusable O-rings on these axles it’s not the hassle it used to be. You’re certainly not at risk for crunching their diff cover at any point

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[Fastbanana911]

I have a solid solution to mounting the brake line in a factory style with an ARB Cover.

I ordered two M8 studs with a E7 end in the same overall length as the stock hardware. The issue, is the factory studded bolts are too wide to fit in the recess of the ARB cover.

Using slightly undersized M8 12mm nuts, they barely clear in the holes. Also, a standard 13mm socket doesn't fit either. This solves that as well, as it's a 12mm socket nut.

 

[Fastbanana911]

Also, as a mini review, I've driven 1000 miles with this diff cover.

I reused my stock gasket with 30k miles, it was totally serviceable, just cleaned it up. The fluid was dirty, but not horrible. I replaced the fluid with AMSOIL in the factory weight. The dipstick is a great feature, and I appreciate the 8mm hex fill and dipstick. Also, the ports use Orings instead of thread sealant which is a great touch.

No leaks, easy install. I give it a 2/10 difficultly including solving the hardware issue, as I'm more than used to ordered strange hardware for projects from Belmetric. They are US based, and super fast on shipping. They offer super high quality hardware in almost any size you can imagine. BMWs use odd stuff, this is my source for that.

 

[SierraBronco]

I have a solid solution to mounting the brake line in a factory style with an ARB Cover.

I ordered two M8 studs with a E7 end in the same overall length as the stock hardware. The issue, is the factory studded bolts are too wide to fit in the recess of the ARB cover.

Using slightly undersized M8 12mm nuts, they barely clear in the holes. Also, a standard 13mm socket doesn't fit either. This solves that as well, as it's a 12mm socket nut.

Looks good!

I decided to just get rid of the factory hard lines back there completely. Much cleaners.

 

[Brian_B]

I've had the OEM silicon gasket off and on more than a dozen times now - still works good.

 

[crzyhawk]

Honest question: is this anything other than a fashion accessory with a drain plug? Is there a performance benefit that I am not aware of?

 

[Brian_B]

Honest question: is this anything other than a fashion accessory with a drain plug? Is there a performance benefit that I am not aware of?

That's my opinion, but I will admit the aftermarket ones are stronger than the stock stamped steel.

Just not really sure why you need a stronger one, unless you make a habit of backing your pumpkin into things. Doesn't seem like it would make the axle stubs any more rigid to reduce deflection or anything useful.

 

[ThunderFlash]

Honest question: is this anything other than a fashion accessory with a drain plug? Is there a performance benefit that I am not aware of?

Doesn't seem like it would make the axle stubs any more rigid to reduce deflection or anything useful.

ARB claims that is does stiffen the axle and helps maintain alignment within the diff. I don't know if that's true but it does give easier drain/fill, has a dip stick to check level, is super stout, and looks good. The dip stick is also magnetized which aids in pulling metal contamination out that is suspended within the fluid, too. I thought it was worth it. But I am curious to see how much fluid is left in the diff after draining, though. I don't think the drain plug is at the very lowest point of the cavity.

 

[Fastbanana911]

I've had the OEM silicon gasket off and on more than a dozen times now - still works good.

Why?

 

[Fastbanana911]

Honest question: is this anything other than a fashion accessory with a drain plug? Is there a performance benefit that I am not aware of?

I can't imagine it stiffens anything with the fat rubber factory gasket. It's shiny and has a drain plug and a dipstick so you can inspect for moisture ingress without dumping fluid.

The 8mm hex and oring makes it conviient to do on the trail if you felt compelled to.

I have it bc it's shiny.

 

[ThunderFlash]

I can't imagine it stiffens anything with the fat rubber factory gasket.

I believe there are metal inserts at the fastener holes in the gasket which I believe provide metal to metal clamp up without crushing the gasket. The ARB cover also has a very thick boss that crosses the width of the cover and requires longer screws at those four attachment locations. I don't know how much flex could be in the Dana axil or if flex is even a legit concern running a mostly stock setup, but that cover is dang beefy and I don't think it would make it any less stiff. I don't think this is the actual Bronco gasket, but I believe it was of similar construction, if I recall.

 

[Brian_B]

Why?

I've done a lot of work on my rear end.

(there's a proctologist joke there somewhere)

 

[ThunderFlash]

I've done a lot of work on my rear end.

(there's a proctologist joke there somewhere)

 

[ODuckNo]

I was contempt;lating the FP cover vs others and ended up with the Ten factory. Looks very similar cast. Then found this..

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[crenca]

I was contempt;lating the FP cover vs others and ended up with the Ten factory. Looks very similar cast. Then found this..

267542374289

That’s cool! It’s priced reasonably, that branding looks like it easily comes off, and that drain plug design looks like it might actually fully drain unlike ARB and others… could be wrong about that hard to confirm from the pic.

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