so i have 600$ credit at AC and am going to get some skid row skids, i will be picking them up, so if i get just the set of 4, i will not have to spend a penny more, BUT if i get the "complete set" which includes AC's diff skid, i will be payin an extra 120$ + shipping....is it worth it guys?

Depends on the type of wheeling you want to do..plan on any rocks? YES!

Actually, and not to discredit David, I wouldn't do it. Spend that money elsewhere. The axle housing is stout and can withstand some major impacts (I can vouch for this). The only thing I might add a diff skid for would be to protect the driveshaft u-joint. I haven't looked at AC's diff skids but unless they offer that feature, save the cash for something else.

Actually, to discredit David, .

Hahaha thanks dra-ke!
No I understand where your coming from with that.. And you right Ive taken some good shots on mine.. with zero issues.. That is a lot of money for
something like that. What else could you spend 120 on? What other mods are you looking at

Bilsteins for a 3" lift would be a nice addition if you haven't already purchased them. That would take care of that $120.

yep... Or you could order a light bar.. I know some one that makes them :) 60$ hehehe

i would actually get a diff skid...

reason being is your drain plug, ive mauled mine so bad that its a serious chore trying to get it re-threaded without cross threading it

one slide across a rock will seriously destroy that drain plug, ive also seen one get hit then slowly leak and basically he was effed because we couldnt get the plug back out... he had to get a new axle housing when he got home....

its cheap $100 insurance

also, the h233b has a thinner casting up near the pinion, i wouldnt chance that cracking

already got ranchos all around. and i have the money...

and i definitely will be in the rocks, so once i get these and my sliders,i'd rather not have to be concerned about anything down there...hmm decisions decisions decisions... i'm leaning towards just going ahead and getting it now, better safe that sorry.

but then again if the axle housing IS in fact strong enough...i could buy a gallon of herc...

replace the gas tank skid your getting with the diff skid....

the gas tank skid is a crock... your front spring mount protects it pretty damn good

I agree with the Drake on this. I ran for years without one and then received one as a gift. It does not protect the driveshaft u-joint. Ran with it for about 3 years having to take it off when it got hung up, had it rip off a few times, had to bend back into shape and/or get new hardware for it more times than I can remember. I finally ripped it off, bending it in half, about a year and a half ago on “Boot Hill” at Rausch. I have not replaced it and will not.

okay, so whenever AC calls me back i'll just tell them i'm getting the skid row plates i guess. that way i will not have to run my dads credit card and give him the money again, worry about shipping, etc etc.

thanks for all the replies guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph2wtjwXZY8

have fun getting that drain plug out i guess

i mean i just changed the diff oil about a week ago.. if i mess up the drain plug beyond repair and my x is still drivable, i will buy a rearend and have it trussed and beefed up, paint it and throw an ARB in there...

Definitely sounds like a good way to solve the drain plug issue. A cannon to kill a mosquito eh? lol

In Fusion's defense, I do have some good gouges and nicks in my drain plug but nothing to the extent that it can't be removed. Just like your oil pan and gas tank, always be aware of where your chunk is in relation to your line when going through an obstacle. A good spotter can save you a lot of grief too.

I had a big enough dent in me rear diff that I went ahead and just bit the bullet on the skid. Since I already had done a truss the skid needed a little work to make it fit, truss also. But it is something that I am very happy that I did.

The thought of hitting a rock just hard enough to push the cover into the ring gear is just not too sexy.

haha yeah i guess, i plan to do that to my rear axle next summer anyways. and i'm still on the fence about this one, i figured the advice would be either one way or the other, not experienced wheelers telling me two different things lol

A ton of it depends on what you wheel in, muddy trails, not as important, rocks= more important. but nothing motivates more than a big ol dent in the bottom of the diff.

well i don't get in the rocks as much as id like to, but thats what i'm building her for...

aside from the drain plug gettin' mauled, the bottom lip of the rear diff back cover could get peeled back if you slide it across a rock, causing diff fluid to leak out.. then you gotta get a new back cover for it. The skid would help prevent that from getting peeled back.

I picked up a rear diff skid, only to learn later on that the rear diff housing is tank proof basically. I was like "damn..wished I saved my money!" But then when I found out about the cover getting peeled back & drain plug getting mauled, i'm glad I got it ;)