does anyone make a skid for the rear diff that extends up the driveshaft to protect the pinion and such. also could be used to glide over and not dig into mud and rocks, etc.

shrock it maybe?

bomp!

Allphaseoffroad.com They made mine for a first gen X. Give em a call.

AC makes one. I use that on my 2002 Xterra and I love it, I bash it into everything and it takes a beating and my diff is nicely protected.

i read on another forum that the 1st gens have such a strong diff they dont really need a diff guard.. i am guessing this was NOT true??

I have read that too, but the Diff is a 3rd member setup with studs on it, and if you ever plan on taking the diff apart (locker, anything like that) it makes it harder with ruined studs and nuts.

Yeah I've read and heard a lot of good things about the pumpkin on the 1st gens. Literally bombproof. But he's right, bashed bolts are no fun to mess with.