My diff cover has been leaking in many places and it is pretty banged up and in looking for a new one. My budget is $100 or under. I want one that has a bolt in the fill hole and not the rubber piece like it was stock. That would always let in water when I drive down creeks. I'm tired of having to spend money every week on new gasket maker and diff fluid.

 

Solid is $65, pair it with a LubeLocker and never deal with RTV ever again.

https://www.solidaxle.com/productcar...3&idcategory=9

 

I'd blame the axle shaft seals & pinion seal long before I'd blame the rubber plug on the diff cover. Those spinning shafts will let water in over time if you drive in it as much as you say you do.

Also check anything that bolts to the axle tube...like brake lines...make sure they are tight and not letting water in, same for vent fittings.


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I usually go in the stream about once a week and for about a hour before I head back home. It's right up the street from me so I just go to have some fun sometimes. Is there any way that I can make the seals more watertight?

 

Thanks! Is the LubeLocker reusable for any time that the cover is taken off or do I need to get new ones each time?

 

They are reusable.

 

Not really, just keep them fresh, as in put new ones in every now and then if you see that much water.

 

Solid Diff covers, best bang for your buck. But if you want to go the extra mile Ruffstuff is BEEF. Stock cover bolts don't even come past the Ruffstuff's mounting plate. One downside I've found common with Solid's covers with the 8.25 are holes don't always line up, need to open a few holes up to allow some play room. Also if you want to grind the excess off the bottom of the 8.25 the solid cover hangs lower than some other covers so you would need to grind the cover down too if you wanted the most housing clearance.

 

I reallyl like the riddler/poison spider style covers because they help slide up and over rocks easier and the lip doesn't hang up as much.

But the solid diff cover is definitely the people's champ. I don't smash into stuff in reverse so I would go with that!

 

8.25 needs help sliding over anything in forward motion. Itl slide over things better in reverse.

I researched lots of covers and went ditch ruffstuff for both the dana 30 and 8.25

I also looked at the cover kits you weld yourself.
one few products I didnt gan myself

The ruff stuff cover has held up well to garage bashing on my 8.25

Dana 30 ruff stuffs actually seeing some use. Good peice if mind when 40 miles in on a trail

solid covers are cast wich by design is weaker than welding 3/8" plate together, casting covers is cheaper more profitable for the company. Solid might be a name just cast in the cover.
They do look cool and are a upgrade over stock.

Can weld to ruff stuff covers. Not solid covers

 

I've taken some serious hits with my Solid D30 cover. One or two of the ribs are beat but never let me down.

 

Your tierod will do a good job protecting the solid cover. Lol kidding

did you fab that steering?

 

No, cavfab. Got it when they were new and prices built were about the same as what it would of cost me to make. 1.5x.25" DOM with ruffstuff heims.

 

newer durangos had 8.25 rear ends in them and have a heavy duty iron diff cover from factory because they use a watts link that mounts to it very nice junkyard find for about $10

 

^^ Thats some good intel actually, great junkyard upgrade!