So a week or so back I was shopping for some diff guards or some strong diff covers and I ran across Solid Axle Industries http://www.solidaxle.com/index.htm and they have their diff covers on sale for $65.00 each..so I figured heck I would give them a shot since just most guards that bolt over the stock cover cost as much as that...

Well gentlemen.....this is the best $65.00 Ive ever spent on a diff cover, thiese are very high quality and "solid"

This diff covers, bolts, filler plug and sealant all $65 each plus shipping (abbout$10 each)



Chrysler 8.25





Dana 30





I must say I am very impressed with their product..

 

If youve been looking....dont miss this sale.

 

Definitely a good product, I have them on both of my axles as well. But I think that sale is permanent, mine were the same price a year ago.

 

I wish I would have found them before with my other builds...Im just amazed at how good of a quality it is period. I would have paid over $100 plus for them if I saw them in person.

 

they have been on "sale" for as long as I can remember not sure if they don't realize it or just too lazy to change their website. Definitely a great price though

 

Bought mine about a year ago.

8.25


Installed, 3 of the holes didn't line up. No big deal though.



D30


Installed

 

Got mine for my d35 a couple months ago, couldn't be any happier with it

 

Shame they don't have a second low drain plug on the bottom for easy drain and refill when you have in the water and mud. I always hated pulling the differential cover just to drain the lube then having to scrape and reseal cover.

When I installed the Detroit Lockers and gears I decided on this style that had a very low drain it worked out great.

 

Lube Locker FTW!
saves you the trouble of scraping and reapplying RTV every time. Definitely worth the money if you're in the diff on a semi regular basis.

 

i just took advantage of the 65.00 each deal to.... using a wire wheel to get the rtv off doesn't bother me that much.... plus 148.00 shipped for both... thats like a two for one!

 

Question for you guys who painted these covers: how did you do it and how did it hold up? I've had mine for a month and haven't installed them yet because I want to wait till I have them painted. I tried an abrasive wheel on the grinder and that just doesn't get deep enough. Any help?

 

Drilled and tapped a pipe-thread drain plug at the bottom.........








I painted over the "Hammer-Tone" powder coat finish.........


I cleaned mine really well with brake cleaner, then baked it in the sun to heat it up......................Then primed it with self-etching primer....


I let it dry for about a week before I put color on it.............
Sprayed it red, then let the red sit for a few days.............Then hand-painted the silver.....
After a few more days, I cleared the whole thing with about 4 coats of clearcoat.......
I just used Krylon paint, and I wasn't in a hurry to mount it, so I took my time...........

 

@Firehawk
Thanks for the info / mini write-up! I've been so worried about finding a way to strip it that I the parts have just been sitting. Has this held up to the test of time? Obviously it's going to scratch if you band it on rocks, but do you get rock chips from driving on the road?

 

Best of all nice job on the drain plug, they all should offer them for the covers for people who are in the mud and water a lot.

 

that powder should be on there realllyyyyy good just make sure you scuff it up before you paint over it fyi those red cover look hot!! what size hole did you drill and tap for the drain i'm going to do that as well

thanks
glenn