Guaging Interest... 14b owners?

[BRUTUS]

Sorry mods... I am not a vendor but the vendor section isn't open yet either... :confused:

So I designed a 14 bolt cover over the weekend and had my fabricator make it. I will get it on friday and post pics in this thread. I haven't priced others so I can't say... but how does $90 + ride sound unpainted? Flange is 1/4" and the shell is 3/16".

Here are the screenshots from Solidworks:

Outside:
http://www.jasonhabrock.com/jeep/images/14bcoveroutside.jpg

Inside:
http://www.jasonhabrock.com/jeep/images/14bcoverinside.jpg

And just so you can get the 3D effect... a short movie:
http://www.jasonhabrock.com/jeep/images/14bcovermovie.mpg

I will be designing a D44 cover as well... probably same material. Not sure on the cost yet.

[rustywagoneers_com]

hey, nice work... since you are putting both materials on the torch, might i suggest making the 'band' over the R+P out of 1/4 also... OR, make it double layer 3/16... kinda handy when a guy drops a rear tire (or two) off a rock and slides down the cover, or backs up to get another bite on the front tires...

just a thought..

peace
Dave

[orangecherokee]

where would the fill plug go?

edit: i'm a dumbGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley

[Bama Burden]

I guess you could give someone the option of a fill plug or just letting them drill and tap their own.

The dynatrac covers are $170 so your $90 cover sounds pretty good.
I was reading the review on Pirate yesterday about the Jethro-bilt 14blt cover. Made with 3/8" and has flush-mount bolts. Also has drain and fill plug. Anybody know a price for it?

[Bob Barry]

There are a couple 3/8" covers of similar design that sell in the $120 range. That's become the standard for off-road-useable covers, as 3/16" will not stand up as well to backing a 6000lb truck into a rock.

3/16" is still stronger than factory, but it won't be considered "hard-core", so the lower-price might be a draw for someone who wants something a bit stronger than stock.

And no need for a fill-plug on a 14b cover; it's in the housing. :)

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I ordered a set of these one for the 14 bolt 58.00 and for the Dana 60 front 53.00 I figured it was cheaper than making one or buying a fabbed one from other vendors on ebay or the like. Will have to see how these stand up to abuse, but I think they will do find.
http://www.mad4wd.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jmpnmqloo

[Bama Burden]

And no need for a fill-plug on a 14b cover; it's in the housing. :)
And the reviewer, BillaVista, says he ends up using the OE fill due to his pinion angle

[BRUTUS]

There are a couple 3/8" covers of similar design that sell in the $120 range. That's become the standard for off-road-useable covers, as 3/16" will not stand up as well to backing a 6000lb truck into a rock.

3/16" is still stronger than factory, but it won't be considered "hard-core", so the lower-price might be a draw for someone who wants something a bit stronger than stock.

And no need for a fill-plug on a 14b cover; it's in the housing. :)

I have seen the Jethro built one and emailed him about the cost and never got a reply. I almost wonder if he is still in business.

A bit stronger than stock... when you consider that the stock cover is like punched 20ga... I am confident that 3/16 will do the job. If you ask me... why would you make it out of 3/8 when you could make it out of 3/4? I mean when 60lbs of your 6000lb rig is in the rear diff cover... OMG!

I will have to see if I can get the FEA program to work and put a 6000lb point load on the cover.

I am planning on drilling and tapping a 1/4-20 bolt toward the bottom of the cover for a drain plug and using the stock fill plug at the pinion.

[blt2krl]

Okay, I have the BLue torch diff covers. The design is very similar to the ones proposed. The tickness you offer would be a nice setup for the occasional to moderate off roader who is looking for something better than stock but not as beefy as the blue torch 3/8 flange and 1/4 inch plate. In my personal experience I have beat the **** out of my covers. I have slammed down and into numerous boulders variying from granite, snadstone, to lava rock. I was glad for the beef lesser material would have dented or possible cracked welds. I'm not banging on your idea at all I think it has its place but for those who crawl in the big stuff need the beef.:fsj:

[Bob Barry]

A bit stronger than stock... when you consider that the stock cover is like punched 20ga... I am confident that 3/16 will do the job. If you ask me... why would you make it out of 3/8 when you could make it out of 3/4? I mean when 60lbs of your 6000lb rig is in the rear diff cover... OMG!

OK, it's a lot stronger than stock. :)

It's just that in my experience, 3/16" stock bends in the rocks. That's why my framerails look like they do. :)

I'm just saying, because you're just asking. :)

[KargoMaster]

I ordered a set of these one for the 14 bolt ...

I got the same one (14 bolt) ordered... a while ago, website says later this month... Sure hope so.


I would agree with the comments about 3/16" being a little less than desired. Here's a little bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but 3/16"-1/4" nonetheless... This merely helps to illustrate why folks say that 3/16" is not enough for some areas of their rigs that will see SERIOUS abuse.


Engine mounts... 1/4" plate on the bottom, 3/16" "ears."
(this took about a year)

http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/KargoMaster/20050216231156_IMG_1832.jpg




Replaced with 1/4" bits and gusseted...


http://www.jeepaholics.com/support/files/KargoMaster/20050216231223_IMG_1842.jpg

[BRUTUS]

I am thinking that structurally the more efficient thing to do is to add web's, like CJ's link shows only orientated side to side. So that any impact load doesn't rest on the "shell" but is transferred through the web to the flange.

I am by no means HARD CORE wheeler... So I value all your opinions on the trail.

More than anything I just want to be able to convince my fabricator that there is plenty of competition in the aftermarket diff cover market.

Brad... "little bit" apples to oranges... I would say lots! Different loading condition, different structure, rusting welds... it doesn't even look like it was welded on both sides. I think your new ones will defintely work better. Since you know the failure mecanism is/will be in bending... only thing that could be better is to have the gussets go higher toward the bolt hole.

Bob, frame rails are also apples to oranges. ;)

[BRUTUS]

where would the fill plug go?

edit: i'm a dumbGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley

I thought that was kinda odd... very funny now :lol:

[Grimjaw]

I bought a Dana 60 * 14 bolt cover from Ruff Stuff Specialties (http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/).


http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_shingydiff.jpg

Copied from another boards vendor section:

We only make these in a 3/8" thick model, it only costs' us $2 more than if we made it out of 1/4" so why bother with 1/4" at all? We also make these exclusively from A50 Plate, it is much denser than 1020 Mild Steel so it will take much more abuse and again, it isn't really that much more to make them that way so why not? Think about drain plugs and the problems we have with them in the rocks. We have come up with the simplest and tucked away Drainplug possible.

The prices are:

Dana 44 Welded, $100, Kit $68 Ring $31
Dana 60 Welded, $110, Kit $79 Ring $37
14 Bolt Welded, $120, Kit $88 Ring $42

shipping is only $9.45 because we can fit 2 in a USPS Flat Rate Box!

[blt2krl]

This is one of the sickest diff covers I have seen. I wish I would have bought this one.
http://www.diy4x.com/images/razor%20back%2014.jpg

[orangecherokee]

I thought that was kinda odd... very funny now :lol:

i do this constantly. i see something and my knee jerk reaction is always the wrong thing. I read it correctly i was just thinking D60 for some reason. :confused:

[BRUTUS]

This is one of the sickest diff covers I have seen. I wish I would have bought this one.
http://www.diy4x.com/images/razor%20back%2014.jpg

That is almost exactly what I was thinking... but only because I have already trimmed the 14b 1"... the ribs won't have any flange to grab onto on mine so I would run the ribs side to side. Much more efficient use of material with the ribs.

[FSJ Guy]

Hey, what about one for a Dana 60??? <g> I could use two, as the D70 cover is the same size (or so I'm told).

Paint it OD for me, and I'll buy two.:D

I agree with the other folks about the 1/4" thing. Overkill is good. You'd be surprised how much abuse your undercarriage takes.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Yup D60 and 70 Covers and Yokes are the same ;)

[HotRodYJ]

I don't have any pics, but the cover I run on my 14B has a 1/2" thick bolt ring, fabed with 1/4" plate, then another 1/2" thick strip overlaid for a ring guard (3/4" thick total at the ring gear). It's a really beefy cover and I havn't bent it yet. Gave somewhere around $120 for it but I don't remember exactly.

And 14B's (at least the two that I have) do not have fill plugs in the casting. The fill hole is in the cover.