Awesome thanks. I’ll start looking into that!
I appreciate your outstanding reply. Yeah last summer I came over a trail hill and a hit a rather good size, pointed rock. I pretty much slid along the skid plates. I saw it on camera but I guess I misjudged how high it was sticking up. I couldn't see any damage to the Diff Cover but I figured I would look into beefier options.There is a few threads on this if you search a bit. What was your close call? I went with the ARB, but in hindsight, I'm not sure that I'd replace my OEM rear diff cover again, if I had the choice. The OEM unit was heavier steel than I expected. Not sure, but the stock steel cover might be HSS, too. The steel should be tougher than cast iron. Also, with the reusable OEM gasket, removing the diff cover is less of a hassle. Finally, with the cover completely off, you can get just about every drop of oil/sediment out of the housing and removal gives the opportunity for a visual inspection inside the diff.
That said, a few of the differences on the FP vs ARB that I've noted:
-There is a difference in the drain plugs, the FP unit seems like it would drain more completely, but it might also be slightly more vulnerable to damage.
-It seems more than one person has had issues with the FP finish flaking off, but I don't know if that is a common problem or an isolated thing. I have hit my ARB cover on trail obstacles and done some damage to the finish. I have to monitor that to see if it gets much worse. Generally, though, the ARB has a gloss finish and seems pretty tough
-ARB has a dip stick for checking oil level.
-The dip stick port is on top and is also where you fill. Access is not bad with my Borla Climber cat back exhaust, but with the OEM exhaust or other axle back exhausts, filling maybe a little more challenging with this port location.
- In addition to the magnet on the drain plug, the ARB dip stick also has a small but powerful magnet on its tip. This may help snatch up small iron particulates that are in suspension within the oil bath. Its easy to check oil level and clean this magnet, too.
-The ARB dip stick and drain plug have O-ring seals rather than NPT plugs. My O-rings look a bit damaged after just a few uses...not sure I trust them but they have not shown signs of leaking. I probably need to replace those O-rings each time.
-ARB claims their cover stiffens the rear axil housing resulting in better alignment and meshing within the diff. They provide 12.9 allen screws and 4 of them are considerably longer than OEM to extend through the stiffened area of the ARB cover which cross the width of the axle cavity.
-A brake line on the Bronco crosses the axle and uses two of the diff cover bolts as a mount/support. I THINK the FP cover will work with the OEM brake line studs and mounts. The ARB cover will take a little bit of thought for this, though. I used threaded studs. Originally, I double nutted the the studs and planned to use metal clamps, but later went to a stand off bushing with a single nut and retained the existing OEM plastic brake line mounts. Not sure this is optimal, but it seems to be working.
-I think both covers look good. I've always been impressed with ARB products and this cover did not disappoint. Can't speak for the FP unit.
Always try to put a tire on the biggest obstacle vice trying to straddle anything when you can. This will increase your overall clearance
I've got the ARB; drain plug, dipstick, thick!!!
