Best diff guards for D2

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
I've been running the terrafirma wraparound guards for a couple years. The wraparound style is not the greatest, had one tear off, and another so banged up it made an awful rattling noise rubbing against the pumpkin - had to put a piece of rubber in there. They also leave the drain plug exposed, I had a hard time getting a ratchet in there after a few good scrapes

So far tactical rovers, albeit a little pricey, seem like the best design: https://tactical4x4.com/index.php/product/discovery-1-2-front-differential-guard/
But they require a little welding, which is annoying.

What's the best? looking to protect my new ashcroft lockers
 

pdogg

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2005
1,216
29
Phoenix, AZ
The wrap around ones from Rovers North a much more stout than the TF ones... they feel cheap... that being said the T44 ones are the bomb, especially the rear with the skid for the pinion.
 

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,163
62
Raleigh, NC
Ive been running the TF ones for a while. They had been really good over the years and have taken a lot of hard hits, but now Im having issues with the diff bolts coming loose because the guard uses the same bolts up top. So everytime I hit the diff guard hard, it works the bolts loose.
I would assume any "bolt on" diff guards would eventually have the same issue if you actually use them. I have a weld on cap my buddy gave me that Im going to try next.
 

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
The wrap around ones from Rovers North a much more stout than the TF ones... they feel cheap... that being said the T44 ones are the bomb, especially the rear with the skid for the pinion.

T44? Link?

RN is tempting, but afraid I'll end up with the same issues due to the design

Ive been running the TF ones for a while. They had been really good over the years and have taken a lot of hard hits, but now Im having issues with the diff bolts coming loose because the guard uses the same bolts up top. So everytime I hit the diff guard hard, it works the bolts loose.
I would assume any "bolt on" diff guards would eventually have the same issue if you actually use them. I have a weld on cap my buddy gave me that Im going to try next.

Loctite should sort that out. cleaning the bolts first too helps, mine were nasty with rtv and loctite gunk


Not sure if the best, but should beef it up a bit.
https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product/hd-weld-on-diff-pan-diy/

That's a serious mod.. intriguing, but too much work and not as useful for the rear + no pinion protection
 

kennith

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
10,891
172
North Carolina
Nope, I tried loctite AND lock washers with all new bolts. They still come loose. Welded is the way to go.

The thread pitch may be too coarse for that kind of shock and leverage. If that's the case, no amount of thread locker or washers will solve the problem.

Cheers,

Kennith
 
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jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
I have a Rovertym one on my D90 that I previously had on two D2s and a RRC. It is a lot more stout than the used Safari Gard ones I just bought. FWIW, I bought my Rovertym diff guards when Steve was running the show. I don't know if I would purchase anything from new RTE.
 

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
I need some for the D1, and I’m leaning towards the Tacticals. I like that they wrap the bottom of the pumpkin, protect the pinion, and weld on.
 

robertf

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2006
4,781
356
-
One one truck I went with 8” pipe caps after poking a hole in the cover

When I bought my other truck it had a bolt on front diff guard that looks like the one RN sells. Seems to work fine. Probably been on there at least 15 years.
 

Jeff Blake

Well-known member
May 6, 2016
429
16
Pacific Beach, San Diego
One one truck I went with 8” pipe caps after poking a hole in the cover

When I bought my other truck it had a bolt on front diff guard that looks like the one RN sells. Seems to work fine. Probably been on there at least 15 years.

Clamp on (D1) or wraparound (D1/D2)?

The RN wraparound is tempting, but I think the tactical rovers will be worth it. But $160x2 plus an hour labor ($80) is getting up there. I suppose I can justify it to protect my $2,400 diffs...
 

robertf

Well-known member
Jan 22, 2006
4,781
356
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Its a series 1. Only covers the front, not the pinion


Hour labor? Isnt it about as difficult as filling up the gas tank?
 

DiscoPhoto

Well-known member
Jul 23, 2012
2,581
76
Vermont
For those who did the sewer cap, did you have to do anything special to the cap besides adding the fill plug before welding it on to the axle housing?
 

roverover

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2005
3,819
28
68
Lancaster PA
www.UsedLandRoverParts.com
For those who did the sewer cap, did you have to do anything special to the cap besides adding the fill plug before welding it on to the axle housing?

No we weld them inside and out then grind away for ring clearance. I put a 1/4" rond piece on the outside just because I'm anal it adds thickness where you grind and takes the lip off so it slides smoother