Differential Protection for 1993 FZJ80???

[underthehood]

I just got done wheeling around Johnson Valley and the FZJ80 surpassed my expectations. WOW!!!! these things wheel!!!!
I had a blast and the underneath weathered the rocks well. I have some bent rear control arms which don't bother me too much. But what does concern me is the dents in my differential housings. Who makes covers for these? Can I weld the shields that are sold for the mini trucks onto my bigger differential housings? Does anyone have any pics of what works and where to get them? I did some extensive searching and can't come up with anything. All Pro Off Road and Marlin Crawler have some nice covers but they are for the minis. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

A mini truck 8" diff protector should fit the front and there are a few to choose from. I do not know where to find the rear except a sewer cap at the plumbing store.

 

[CycloSteve]

IPOR has a weld-on one designed for the front, and works for the rear with slight "radius" modification @ $15ea...just ordered two!

Weld on Diff Armor [TG-120002-1] - $15.00 : Iron Pig Off Road, Toyota 4WD experts

 

[underthehood]

Thanks for the input guys. Are there any other options out there. The IPOR set up seems too small. I already have dents in places the IPOR wouldn't cover.
Keep the ideas coming if you can.
Thanks again...

 

[lenross1]

if you can weld there are no limitations.

 

[CRUIZER DAN]

 

[TENNJP]

Where is that TG one from? That's the way to go.

 

[80t0ylc]

Thanks for the input guys. Are there any other options out there. The IPOR set up seems too small. I already have dents in places the IPOR wouldn't cover.
Keep the ideas coming if you can.
Thanks again...

I do truely understand the concern, but geeze, whatever happened to just missing the rocks and "driving like you own it instead of stole it"? (Quote stolen from Nay) Or is that just too old school?

 

[alkaline747trio]

Do you frequently drive backwards on the trail? If not, I don't see much use in rear diff protection. And there isn't anything made AFAIK along the lines of a 3rd member skid for the rear. Certain sizes of sewer pipe caps will fit almost perfectly on the diffs of 80s, search sewer pipe cap and see what you come up with for the rear.

That TG means Trail-Gear (Trail-Mart).....that's about the best full coverage front diff protector you can get.

Edit: anything that you find for the front of a 60 or 40 series LC *should* work for the rear of an 80

 

[Tools R Us]

I do truely understand the concern, but geeze, whatever happened to just missing the rocks and "driving like you own it instead of stole it"? (Quote stolen from Nay) Or is that just too old school?

When you just cruise around on forest service roads, your correct. If you start driving the rig close to it's capability, it sometimes becomes difficult to hold your line, rocks move/roll, slide off, etc, so protection becomes a priority.

The diff covers are very thin, mine have pretty good dents. I have the sewer caps, just need to cut and weld.

 

[darwink1]

I built this thing for my taco elocker axle a while back. It extends past the pinion flange and protects the elocker motor.

I do like the looks of that TG front protector and it looks fairly simple to make yourself. Could be handy for a guy (me) who's used to wheeling an ifs rig and not having to worry about a front pumpkin

Any pointers for welding something like that on? Will the heat f anything up?

D

 

[jvazquez53]

How you do all the bends???BTW... Awesome job!

 

[darwink1]

Lol, thanks.

There are only 2 bent pieces, the plate that follows the contours on the bottom of the axle housing and the 1" thick "bumper" strip along the rear. The rest is cut and welded then ground smooth. Cut down u bolts/top plates hold it on either side of the pumpkin and a bracket and 2 studs make up the pinion mount.

D

 

[80t0ylc]

When you just cruise around on forest service roads, your correct. If you start driving the rig close to it's capability, it sometimes becomes difficult to hold your line, rocks move/roll, slide off, etc, so protection becomes a priority.

The diff covers are very thin, mine have pretty good dents. I have the sewer caps, just need to cut and weld.

I see your point on usage, although I've seen some rough stuff. Most of the stuff you're talking about, I wouldn't take my 80 through on a regular basis. Not that it wouldn't handle it, but were talking about a 3 ton rig that's kinda top heavy to begin with. I put sliders on for body protection and to replace the fragile OEM running boards. Skidplate to replace minimal OEM protection on the tranny & transfer case areas. But armoring up the diffs just seems getting carried away. There's just too many other considerations, IMHO, than to use an 80 like this enough to justify this mod. But, to each their own. And I guess, if you want to play in the rocks successfully with an 80, you'll definitely need diff protection, not to mention a whole sheetload of other mods.

 

[chappysfj40]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/404135-rear-diff-skid-plate.html


this is what i am using and making for the rear diff