Diff covers… Specifically 60 and 13 bolt

[frankenyoter]

Been a Yota guy for decades…

But a couple years of no headaches and with a decent case of obsessive modification syndrome, I finally decided to drop time and money on tons… again… but this path is more easily mapped. Finished a long day with the furthest away last game of the baseball season with my boy. Now I’m home, thirsty and still have this project on my mind…

As far as the spreadsheet of expenses goes this is a small part, but a big deal when the axle hits the rock.

What’s the best way to go? Nodular, bent steel, no lip etc. I fully intend to shave a bolt off the 14 bolt, run leaf springs like any red blooded old school Toyota fan. Front will be high steer and hydro assist.

I’ve gone far enough down the research rabbit hole to see what I like, but as a noob wanted to poll the local audience.

Help me spend my money. I don’t wan to do it cheap two or three times or buy diamond crusted dog shit.

 

[Hokie_YJ]

I generally prefer the fabricated steel ones. Barnes, RuffStuff, and Motobilt all have good ones. I got one of the Nodular ones from Barnes for my SD60 for the LJ because it’s super low profile and that’s needed for the SD axles. It’s not needed for the older 60s.

 

[Hokie_YJ]

I actually have a 60 cover in the shop I picked up out of one of the Facebook parts groups before I bought the Barnes cover. I believe it’s a RuffStuff. We’re heading home from the beach today but I can get you some pictures in the next couple of days if you’re interested in it.

 

[drkelly]

Several years back when I bought mine for my D60HP and 14 bolt, I narrowed my search down to Barnes and Motobilt. The Barnes covers were more expensive because they were machined flat after welding. I ended up buying the Motobilt ones. They are not flat. They definitely warped during welding. I expected better from Motobilt. I hope that they will pull flat when torqued down, but haven't gotten to that yet.

 

[Noel]

@tobaccoroad4wd might have some. I got 13 bolt from him.

 

[Pless]

There will be a cast 13 bolt cover at Barnes in the next few months...

 

[OnlyOneDR]

Turn the 14 bolt ring gear and put the ballistic shave on it. No regrets here.

 

[frankenyoter]

Turn the 14 bolt ring gear and put the ballistic shave on it. No regrets here.

I’ve looked into that some. Not sure I want to get into all of that or not. The heating and welding and cutting and grinding doesn’t appeal to me. If it was done by someone else I can see that being the jam. It a lot of effort for 1/2” more clearance.

Several places sell turned gears.

 

[frankenyoter]

There will be a cast 13 bolt cover at Barnes in the next few months...

I’ll need one before that…hopefully.

 

[Rnuovrcj5]

I’ve got no complaints with the 13 bolt Motobilt cover in the back of mine. I shaved a bit more off the bottom of it to match my cut/shaved housing and no leaks so far.

 

[OnlyOneDR]

I’ve looked into that some. Not sure I want to get into all of that or not. The heating and welding and cutting and grinding doesn’t appeal to me. If it was done by someone else I can see that being the jam. It a lot of effort for 1/2” more clearance.

Several places sell turned gears.

Understood, it means you have to remove and disembowel the entire axle, flip it over, and massage it before you can even weld the shave on. Mine was already stripped so it was not a big deal. If yours is under the rig and put together it is an ordeal.

 

[frankenyoter]

Understood, it means you have to remove and disembowel the entire axle, flip it over, and massage it before you can even weld the shave on. Mine was already stripped so it was not a big deal. If yours is under the rig and put together it is an ordeal.

The axle is out and going to be completely gone through and built out. I’m only saving the Detroit and the shafts. I am still torn on the risk of the potential issues versus the 1/2” gained.

I’m leaning towards the Crane 13 bolt cover due to the material and no lip design. Not the cheapest option, but at this point in the spread sheet it looks like it. Checks all the

boxes.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

Shaved a few. Preheat and weld hot. Slow cool usually by just letting them sit. Wrapping and alloy nickel isn't required because its really a cast steel vs being a true cast iron. Takes weld very well if up to temp. That said if I ever find something to shove my military combo under I intend to cut the cast lip down and run a suitable cover. The work just isn't worth the minimal gain.

 

[Noel]

Don’t let @Curtis_H cut it…. He’s sawing away and I hear “oh shit” jokingly I say “like oil coming out? Oh shit?” And unfortunately I was right lol the newer ones have a drain plug that needs to be addressed. Little plate welded on and we went to the ranch.

 

[Stuntman Autoworks]

I put a SOLID diff cover on my front 60
The 14 bolt I used the ECGS shaved cover and their shaved gearset. It's really not that difficult and you might as well do it while its out.

 

[Stuntman Autoworks]

I want an Ox Locker for my front 60 which will require me to get rid of the SOLID cover.

 

[Hokie_YJ]

I looked at the 60 cover I have. It’s a RuffStuff but it’s the SD60 specific cover and they say it won’t work with a standard 60.