Hey guys,
I have a q's about these Cast Nodular Iron Rock Crusher diff covers?. http://www.rockcrusherdiffs.com/
Whats the general opinions out there about Cast Iron vs Cast Aluminum vs Stock stamped Steel Diff covers in regards to heat dissipation?.
I know the Cast Alum is probably the best at this, but will the Cast Iron do about the same as the Stock Stamped Steel?.
I'm looking at the Rock Crusher's b/c I do 4wheel in tight rock infested trails sometimes and dont want to be stranded with a smashed cover. Right now the Cast Alum ones are out IMO, not strong enough.
I do tow heavy, but not the often.
Thanks
Doug.

 

go to carli suspension and look at there diff gaurds that go over your OE steel one. just a thought

 

I googled thermal conductivity for common materials and steel = 43, Cast Iron = 55, Aluminum = 250. I don't understand the units used, but they relate to BTU / FT / HR by a factor of .5779. So it looks like cast iron is slightly better then steel at conducting the heat, but aluminum is by far the best.

 

That's what I'm running. Great setup.

 

Since the cast iron and steel covers are close to the same in thermal conductivity, which one has the most surface area? I couldn't tell which material each design was made of. The gussets/fins should help dissipate more heat. In general, I think the steel unit would be the strongest.

 

I say check out the Carli diff. guard. I have one, and while my offroad encounters have not tested it, my recent road trip from TX to MN and back did test it! Lots of junk on the road that I had to run over, and I'm glad I had my Carli differential guard, In OK City, OK, I ran over an extension ladder that fell off a pickup in front of me on the freeway. It happened so fast that I couldn't avoid it. It didn't even scratch the Carli diff. cover. Whatever the guy that was on my tail was not so lucky. He had a small car, and what I saw from my mirrors, was chunks of his car and the ladder flying everywhere! Thank God we didn't take the Charger on that trip! It would have been destroyed!

 

How does the Carli help the OP's question of a cooler running diff? Will it cover a cast or aluminum cover?

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback....
Maybe the Alum with the Carli gaurds would be the best..!???
Doug.

 

Be careful, as the aluminum covers tend to be much deeper and a diff guard made for a stock steel cover probably won't fit.



I had Rockcrushers on my Rubicon and they are great.

 

Dred. what brand is the aluminum cover above, and where did you get it?

 

Looks like a PML - we use both those & Mag-HyTech covers on our trucks.

 

Well, here's what I did guys,
I ordered the PML Alum covers from Genos. When the come in I'll make my own diff gaurds for the PML's. I like the Rock Crushers, But I want the Cooling of the Alum due to I live Bakersfield Ca.
Thank you for all of your input!. I helped me to make the right choice. I think!
Doug.

 

The Rockcrusher's look sweet!!

 

Does anyone know if there is any fitting issues with the Carli? I'm running Thuren's tracbar and Defiant's steering stabilizer.

sid