Diff skid recommendations

What's up everyone? Just had a sick fun day on the trail but dragged the diff a bit... does anyone have a recommendation on a diff skid for a 3rd gen that does not impact the clearance of the melon?

 

I couldn't find many options, but RCI's diff skid looked pretty good so I ordered that.

After doing some serious wheeling I'd rather lose a 1/2" of clearance to gain armor at my low point locations. You can usually send the bigger rocks between your shocks and diff with the right line, if needed.

I dragged my diff on the Rubicon for a few feet and it sounded like the drive shaft was gonna pop out lol, even with a skid I'm going to avoid hitting shit with my diff as much as possible.

 

Check Bamf for a skid. His is a lot better than rci

 

It says there might be gas tank clearance issues with the bamf skid? Do you think there would be clearance issues with the bamf diff skid + CBI gas tank skid?

I really do like how the bamf skid looks

 

Not sure.
What I know for a fact is my older bamf I’ve beat on a lot and been fine where as the rci one @bot102 and @Coop68 have have needed Constance adjustments on trail.

 

Yeah, RCI rear diff skid is doo doo, it has taken some hits for me and done its job, but would not recommend it. The front piece that secures it to the front end of the diff has popped off twice on trail for me. Rubbing on my rear drive shaft flange both times.

There is nothing keeping it from slipping off toward the front of the vehicle. Granted I am a fan of my skinny pedal thanks to @YamaDirtrider, but still. Have had too many issues with it.

 

Unpopular opinion, diff armor is utterly pointless and does nothing but reduce ground clearance. Our axle housings and 3rd members are BEEFY. You're not going to damage it by bumping it into rocks. I speak from experience as I've been wheeling hard for about 3 years with nothing but a weld on rear diff cover.

https://trail-gear.com/axles/axle-b...tacoma-rear-differential-armor-1995-2013.html

The rear part of the axle housing is thinner, and could potentially suffer a dent if you were to back into a rock a bit too hard, hence, the weld on cover. But that doesn't hang any lower than the rest of the axle.

As you can see, all that'll happen are some scratches but that's purely cosmetic.

 

@bot102 - I didn’t realize about how with my RCI diff armor how the front mount can slip forward and hit that flange. With it being able to move forward, it’s easy to see how in the photos I posted above. I don’t want to spend more money than I already have on armor, so I am considering welding the bottom bracket together so it won’t move. The way it’s held together with those two bolts and how the wide hole allows it to be adjusted is definitely a weak point for this model.

As for why I put differential armor on, I have damaged a case before. My truck is not set up for large wheels, so with 16’s on I already have lower clearance on the differential, so that’s why I put a cover on it.

 

Yes the rear diff is beefy, but the drain plug is what I'm worried about. If rather slide my diff skid across a rock than the diff itself. Ive already almost sheered it off once, why I got the diff skid. Want the piece of mind

 

How’d you almost shear it off with that protective ring around it?

 

Seems like the plug was a concern of yours as well. There appears to be a tack welded 3/16" plate welded to your diff plug ring. Great idea that am going to copy. I've beaten the shit out of more then a few drain plugs now. lol

 

Yeah I managed to loosen it once in the rocks from dragging my ass so much. No concern of shearing it off though lol

1/8” was plenty btw

 

Mines come loose a few times. I destroyed my original 24MM hex drain plug. Then replaced that with a allen head plug. That cover you made is the perfect way to prevent it taking any damage. Thanks for the idea that I should have thought of 5 years ago. lol

 

Dragging my diff across a fat ass rock. Bent the ring in enough I had to grind it out a bit to get my diff plug out. Our definitions of wheeling hard must be different

 

BAMF for sure!

 

Our definition of “shear” is different too apparently lol

 

Glad to see some Colorado and even Littleton folks chiming in. Does the bamf, rci, or cbi skid sit against the diff? The last thing I want to do is lose any clearance without justification.

How does the bamf skid not slide around? I can totally see how and why the rci could bind against the knuckle of the driveshaft.

Are there any weld on skids at all?

 

Don't put on one of those ground clearance robbing diff diapers.

Keep dragging it until the plug becomes a problem. Then cut it off and plate over it. Change out a bottom stud for a bolt to drain.

 

Here is the link to the BAMF diff skids.
http://www.bayareametalfab.com/Rear-Diff-Skid-955-to-2017_p_74.html