DIY Offroad Diff Covers...100% Scrap Steel! Ultimate Land Rover Discovery Build Episode 4.

Рет қаралды 92,370

4 жыл бұрын

Differential covers are the unsung heroes of any build. You MUST have these for reliable off-road performance but you have options on how to get them. You can buy them from a multitude of different manufactures or you can build them. Buying a nice set of off-road diff guards is a great option, but this is a channel for builders!
In today's video I want to show you some simple tips to building your own diff covers and give you an idea of the work involved. This unit from Barnes 4WD is a great off the shelf option should you decide to save some time and buy one. Thank you for watching and enjoy the video!
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DISCLAIMER:
Due to factors out of the control of Dirt Lifestyle, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Dirt Lifestyle assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Dirt Lifestyle recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Dirt Lifestyle. Be safe!
#offroad #overland #welding
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Пікірлер: 306

@chuckmarquart 4 жыл бұрын

You always keep my attention span 100%

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Good! I'm glad to hear it!

@SirEpsidufus 4 жыл бұрын

Yes for sure, not something many channels are able to do

@gibson5056 4 жыл бұрын

Nate’s next video “ so I just built a complete off-road rig from scrap pieces I had laying around the shop” ... lol love the videos man!

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Lol it might happen one day 😂

@nathanrotar5012 4 жыл бұрын

Gail banks did a whole series on diff covers talking about fluid movement and work being caused by poor design.

@Wooskii1 4 жыл бұрын

I just saw ur comment after leaving one myself trying to say what you did LoL.

@nathanrotar5012 4 жыл бұрын

@@Wooskii1 it was a good educational series. And just so evey one knows Im not say the one in this video is of poor design, but to check out what they discovered in there tests at banks.

@Wooskii1 4 жыл бұрын

@@nathanrotar5012 I actually saw that. Like you said, it was very interesting. I just couldn't remember where I saw it. I'm gonna give it another watch now that you jogged my memory. Thanks!

@hondafreak8613 4 жыл бұрын

I was literally just about to comment and say that its very important to keep the rounded shape for fluid disputants to the wheel bearings. You could alway make small flutes is on inside of cover to flow the oil outward at the top of cover.

@Tellyfive 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome series and proof that we have been lied to for years.

4 жыл бұрын

Lots of guys just throw money at a build but the real talent is the man who makes parts for that build and they work.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks brother 👊

@ericmillier6652 4 жыл бұрын

I’m always excited to see the way you do projects like this. I see the video title and think of the way I would tackle the project and sometimes we differ. And I learn! Fun little project. Keep the videos rolling!

@calvinkatelynnhardage8576 4 жыл бұрын

Your ability to think it, see it and build it amazes me and your fabrication skills are amazing! I’m hoping to start trying to fabricate in the near future.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks man 👊

@martinwyke 3 жыл бұрын

We've used pipe caps to replace the entire diff pan on Discoveries, works well.

@thechrisnels9955 3 жыл бұрын

I love the "I was completely winging it" words to live by

@philjulga2726 4 жыл бұрын

That's a sweet Milwaukee porta saw rig ya got ...

@OntarioFreshwaterFishing 3 жыл бұрын

I have to say, I've been watching you since you started at bleeping jeep. Since you left the quality of your videos has skyrocketed. Keep up the good work man. You are helping alot of us home fabricators

@bobjackson7516 4 жыл бұрын

NOTHING better than pride from DIY. Great video man. Thank you.

@dvonehrlich 4 жыл бұрын

I have none of the skills, tools, experience or practical knowledge to do this but I love it. Also I immediately thought about finding an air cooled motorcycle or airplane cylinder with cooling fins cutting it in half and using it as part of a diff cover for some crazy styling and maybe some cooling factor.

@pnwfabulous3454 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job man! That is one thing I need to build. Hmmm. Good excuse to buy a mig welder to hahaha.

@onetruebob_tj 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent work! I'm certain the Barnes team is impressed and flattered

@ati573 4 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's some real skills

@BigWheelFab 4 жыл бұрын

You could also use some pipe. Great job looks good.

@shaunadams3170 4 жыл бұрын

That's what I thought he was going to use around the ring gear

@johnbishop1911 4 жыл бұрын

For the rounded parts, I would use a piece of .375 wall pipe. You just need to size it accordingly.

@rcmike09 4 жыл бұрын

That would be like a 15 or 20 in pipe

@johnbishop1911 4 жыл бұрын

@@rcmike09 If that's an 11 inch ring gear. A 12 3/4 OD pipe would be close.

@mazevx2451 4 жыл бұрын

Do you ever thought about heat treatment? Even for mild steel it helps getting the structure relaxed and homogenous, better strength and so on. Just an idea... Great video as always!

@HomeWrenchin 4 жыл бұрын

When you just finished making a diff cover build video for your channel and then DirtLifeStyle releases one before you 😭 looks like a sick cover 👍

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Lol thanks brother. I would never do that intentionally 👍

@mikethrapp 4 жыл бұрын

Subbed your channel 👍 Will watch some of your vids later 😁

@jckdann7 4 жыл бұрын

I subbed too, never to many videos now days.

@HomeWrenchin 4 жыл бұрын

Lol quarantine life has everyone looking at new channels. Thank you guys for checking it out!

@forrestcary Жыл бұрын

Man, all your videos make me feel like I can build my whole Jeep.. and I don’t own a single piece of fabrication tools.. lol these videos are the best on KZfaq. Nice work Nate, cheers from Salem,OR just a state south of you.

@StockyBaldman 4 жыл бұрын

I've wanted to do this for years, great channel

@vegasfordguy 4 жыл бұрын

Have you watched Gale Banks differential series? I know it's not the same thing as we're talking on road towing vs off roading. Still a great watch though! Awesome diff cover Nate, keep it up! Top notch all the way.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

I haven't watched it yet but I've heard of it. Thanks man!

@phillipwells7162 4 жыл бұрын

Banks was for dodge ram

@vegasfordguy 4 жыл бұрын

@@phillipwells7162 Banks makes accessories for all 3 diesel platforms. I wasn't suggesting that Nate buy a differential cover from banks, but rather that it's a good watch in general.

@wvjeepguy8178 4 жыл бұрын

Diff covers like this are typically milled flat after welding. Also, for anyone watching this...not sure if he's sponsored by Barnes, but there are plenty of companies out there making strong diff covers for the Sterling axles.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Lol I couldn't make it more obvious that I am sponsored by barnes. I have coupon codes everywhere. But this video is about building things with your own two hands. Not barnes 👍

@chuckmarquart 4 жыл бұрын

Tough guys build their own shit

@Hickeyjones 4 жыл бұрын

They don't have to be milled. I didn't mill mine, and I used the same basic tools as Nate.

@wvjeepguy8178 4 жыл бұрын

No, they dont have to be milled, but fully welded versions from manufacturers usually are just as a quality assurance measure.

@kevingray4996 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome job man another homerun.

@dmwi1549 4 жыл бұрын

Great video Nate. And, darn it, you answered all my questions about capacity, etc before I could ask. One thing: just because you buy something doesn’t mean it will be trouble free. That’s where warranty comes in, which does you no good out on the trail. If you built it, you can probably fix it.

@brianluck84 4 жыл бұрын

A nice bead of permatex will help with any mild warpage. The inside is a perfect project for learning to tig since no one will see your learning beads.

@mattbarrett41 4 жыл бұрын

The steel was free.........time isn’t free. You’re making it work by putting out excellent content.

@SWBCrawler 4 жыл бұрын

Eh, if he's enjoying building, then the "your time isnt free" argument loses some weight. Enjoyment pays you.

@mattbarrett41 4 жыл бұрын

SWBCrawler- valid. However, Nate has exceptional skills. The Capitalist in me always sees the $$$ value in expertise in any field. Exceptional people in any field deserve to get PAID (said with my best middle aged, white guy ghetto inflection).

@SWBCrawler 4 жыл бұрын

I mean... He is getting paid.. technically. ;). I'm not saying your point is invalid. Just that some of us do this for fun. And that is payment in itself. I could be consulting for hundreds per hour in my free time. Instead I run a KZfaq channel and tinker on jeeps. ;)

@mattbarrett41 4 жыл бұрын

SWBCrawler -I do get it. I moved from woodwork to steel with my first YJ and a 110 volt Lincoln welder. You’ve never seen so many turds bolted to Jeep in your life......and that old girl got a lot of respect. I still smile thinking about her. She eventually died.....I called her Patches because as a New England Jeep, there wasn’t a part that wasn’t patched somehow. I couldn’t keep her together anymore. I have a JKU now. I won’t bolt my own crap on her because my work is UGLY. That’s where talented craftsmen come in. Do I want another old Jeep to hack and mangle? Absolutely!

@Rick-4552 4 жыл бұрын

It looks great I enjoy your videos and like that you made it instead of buying

@jl3g4cy34 4 жыл бұрын

Just passing on knowledge but if you need to flatten something out that maybe off by 1-5 thou but it is in fact off just get the flat side and rub it back and forth on some smoothish concrete then hit it with some thousand hit sand paper to smooth it out again. Worked like a dream for my oil pan

@oby-1607 4 жыл бұрын

Good work. Now to go and test this on some rocks.

@nicholasbaldwin1674 4 жыл бұрын

If you love welding but don't want to build the whole thing but want a cheaper diff cover ... check out DYIfabparts diff covers. They sell all the parts to weld one up for a specific diff.

4 жыл бұрын

It's also much more satisfying when you make parts and they work correctly. You can also get jobs when people see how well your part works and they want one just like it.

@brianmaynard7320 4 жыл бұрын

Looks pretty much identical to the store bought.. AWESOME skills my man!!

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@J_bish87 4 жыл бұрын

Another sweet video, stoked to see the disco done up.

@drubradley8821 4 жыл бұрын

That came out really nice... well done Sir.

@stacyreid5077 4 жыл бұрын

I really like that shop and as far as the diff cover it looks great

@matthewfox3760 4 жыл бұрын

Banks did a good series on diff covers if your interested in top performance

@ms.karihart2983 4 жыл бұрын

Man what an undertaking home built teaches you

@kevinengland4675 4 жыл бұрын

Like it Nate 🤘 🇨🇦 gives me another option for diff covers to think about 🤔

@Bikesands 3 жыл бұрын

That’s a nice project. I love to see the thought put into it before hand for the process to eliminate any issues that may arise.

@ArizonaJK 4 жыл бұрын

Keep it up! Makes my want my old Disco back. Great job!

@DrHavok1 4 жыл бұрын

Damn nice been showing my son your stuff he wants to be a welder and he's liking watching your stuff like dad does

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you and your son for watching 👍

@Jursaw 4 жыл бұрын

Really enjoy the way you shoot and edit your videos. Great music choice and volume is on point. Always nice to be able to say I made that part and this part on your own too

@phillippearce9680 4 жыл бұрын

Exceptional work as always!👍

@TrashPandaGarage 4 жыл бұрын

Coolest fab video I've seen on YT in a while. Nice job, Nate!

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy 👊

@oleroy4749 4 жыл бұрын

Great video Nate. I really appreciate how at the end you talked about building verse buying, and the learning experience. Thank you.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching 👍

@2LEJTurbo 4 жыл бұрын

Did you notice the mill marks where they machined the cover flat?

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Yes

@Bread996 4 жыл бұрын

2LEJTurbo that’s what RTV is for :)

@Fix_It_Again_Tony 4 жыл бұрын

They probably don't take as much care when welding because they are producing them for a profit. They can just flatten them afterwards.

@Hickeyjones 4 жыл бұрын

I built covers for both of my Dana 44's. I had some oil seepage from one spot on one cover. A little more weld fixed that. Both of mine came out flat enough to seal. I used a junk 44 housing and just bolted them down and went to town. I let them completely cool while bolted down to the housing.

@michaelhalstead64 4 жыл бұрын

Nate, this is some dope content. I wasn't expecting to lie it so much because I have zero clue how to weld and fabricate. Super cool stuff!

@johnnybravo380 4 жыл бұрын

I love this channel so much. I really hope this full-time youtube thing works out for you. Awesome content and really great tips, keep it up.

@SirEpsidufus 4 жыл бұрын

Your videos are super inspiring as a beginner to offroading! Finishing up my first vehicle build ever, an 88 Comanche 97+ swapped, and I just keep watching your videos getting more and more inspiration to do really anything I can dream of. Thanks!

@terminatorx5836 4 жыл бұрын

Absolutely awesome bro. Very motivating for a guy that’s new to fabricating like myself. Dope music as also too. Great stuff Nate

@SNAGEMNTAG3M 4 жыл бұрын

That's cool I need to practice welding more and then build a set for a Dana 60 and 70u

@Ryan_1997 4 жыл бұрын

👍

@gerryscott876 4 жыл бұрын

Pre-heating is your friend when it comes to reducing weld induced warping. Heat on the opposite side of the joint so that as the metal cools it shrinks evenly.

@Mickale-Moranis 4 жыл бұрын

Nice. Test for leaks, bolt it upside down to something flat, fill with water...look for leaks. If you prefer use plexiglass, seal cover to it, and add a little pressure with the water inside. Let it hold pressure for 5 mins. As for capacity, you could drill a 'full' hole in the cover as full is usually at the bottom of the axle tube (interior diameter). You fill from the stock fill hole on pinion snout, and when it seeps out the full hole in the cover, you are done. Most don't consider this even with a raised pinion when a non-stock housing is placed into a vehicle and potentially overfill. Overfilling too much matters. Overfilling little really doesn't unless you have to pull a shaft and that side is lower than the other side when you pull shaft. Fluid gets by the carrier bearing.

@GrimResistance 4 жыл бұрын

If you watch any of the videos by Banks Power you can see why this style diff cover is superior to the regular boxy style. It really helps the diff fluid travel up over the ring gear.

@satarbhatti759 4 жыл бұрын

So good bro good job

@patterry7757 4 жыл бұрын

Nice Nate. Heat input causes warpage. The TIG process, when properly welded, has a much smaller heat affected zone.

@erichughes9098 4 жыл бұрын

Another instructional video thank you😎

@theKMUPPETS 4 жыл бұрын

Great content as usual!

@ypop417 4 жыл бұрын

Nice Build Nate for the ring gear and carrier covers you could use pipe if you don't have a way to bend metal.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Unfortunately the cost for pipe that size is astronomical. 12" schedule 40 black iron pipe isn't cheap and you would need to find a place that sells by the foot. 👍

@ypop417 4 жыл бұрын

@@DirtLifestyle sometimes you can get drops or scraps that size

@jried9378 4 жыл бұрын

I just bought the Dana 60 cover and 14bolt Shave cover from Barnes last week. Awesome Vid as usual

@patrickgrahn2238 4 жыл бұрын

Nice work as usual.

@berard01 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job!! Definitely stronger and beautiful.

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy 👍

@murphtahoe1 4 жыл бұрын

Serious skills!

@chrispartaka9164 4 жыл бұрын

Love the content! Keep up the good work sir👌

@kevinthouvenell1750 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome that's looks great 👍 Nice and strong 💪

@genoory5090 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome build! Just put a gasket ring around it when mounting I and you'll be fine!🤙🏻

@dam1041960 4 жыл бұрын

You need to see banks videos on the dif covers. To understand its importance to know what to do. Very informative.

@kcscustom9759 4 жыл бұрын

There’s a good reason other diff covers have more angles, specifically to the immediate left & right of the ring gear that is. Without those angles the carrier bearings and especially the axle bearings, don’t get as much fluid as they should. Now just to be clear I’m not trying to bash you in any way I think it’s awesome your fabing your own diff cover, I’m just trying to help you not make the same mistakes I did. I’ve actually been doing the same for a couple years now but unfortunately after I made my first couple I learned this stuff the hard way. My axle bearings went out about 5 months after I installed my first set of fabricated covers, first the rear axle then the front. So I just swapped them out thinking it was normal wear considering I hadn’t touched them in like 150k. But about 7 months later same thing again, rear axle bearings then front a few weeks later. At this point I was kind of skeptical, like did I just get cheap bearings or..? But if so would it really be all four a few weeks apart..? And after doing a little research and staring at my axle for a bit I started to suspect there was something wrong with my covers. So after finally doing a bunch of testing I came to the conclusion that it actually was my covers that caused my bearings to fail, very little fluid was even getting into the axle tubes never mind all the way to the bearings. And it was then throughout my testing that I realized just how important the design and clearances of the cover are. If you want to get a better idea of what is “good” and what is “bad” when it comes to diff covers, I’d recommend watching Gale Banks series on diff covers. He really goes into depth with this stuff and provides a ton of great info and real life demonstration!

@totilsom 3 жыл бұрын

exactly what i was thinking.. way too much restriction, fluid will not perform as it should

@Rozza43 4 жыл бұрын

I love all of your videos man, thanks for all the fantastic info you give in every video. It seems there is not a project that you are not willing to tackle yourself, whether you have done it before or not. I grew up with my grandparents in a wood shop, there was nothing he could not build or fix...that is how i like to be as well, but sometimes I just do not have the tools needed for some projects.

@django2467 4 жыл бұрын

Nice ! Cheers from Barbados 👊🏽

@paulpetraitis2130 4 жыл бұрын

Work of art!

@glen4130 4 жыл бұрын

Cool project! Keep the great videos coming.

@ronthoman7138 3 жыл бұрын

NICE WORK!!! As Always.......I Love the detail and content! Well Done.

@randythompson1957 3 жыл бұрын

Pure artwork

@mikehoffman3690 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice part.

@enriquemendoza8209 4 жыл бұрын

Well thought out design. I only have an arc welder. Tons of heat. Minimum experience. Practice, practice I guess. Great channel, greater videos.

@gdazey1 4 жыл бұрын

It actually looks like the one you built and bought, will keep the oil perfectly on the R&P instead of sitting at the bottom and getting splashed around.

@AndrewBrowner 4 жыл бұрын

well you fill it to a certain level not with a certain amount, the diffs are designed to be submerged a certain percent to get the appropriate lubrication but not create too much drag and heat from whipping through the oil, make the pan hold more or less just allows there to be more oil capacity and a greater time between fluid changes.. when you wheel thats not a concern as youre opening up the axle for some reason or another pretty frequently, idk how the shape of the hump where the ring sits affects things as the oil is suppose to be flung against that and land on the bearings and top of the ring gear but i really doubt itll be a problem unless you start towing heavy fast and far with the rig

@Wooskii1 4 жыл бұрын

@@AndrewBrowner Well said!

@thegreaturimeshi7266 4 жыл бұрын

Hey man love the videos looking for a tj to start a crawl build your channel has inspired me to learn to weld and fabricate the mods ill use on it thanks forall tue hard work you put into these videos hope to see you out in Colorado some day !

@ProjectDanH 4 жыл бұрын

I watched this video while enjoying a delicious steak, When I finished both, the video was more satisfying. 🤣 🥩 💥

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Lol thanks man

@mikethrapp 4 жыл бұрын

Haha. Im smoking steaks right now lol. West coast time its only 5:45 right now lol 😁

@ProjectDanH 4 жыл бұрын

@@mikethrapp lol stuck in NY... forever 😔

@Frimsure 4 жыл бұрын

that looks amazing man!!! pros to you

@maijhiselemani458 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing.... thanks Nate.

@brokenpoortradingco 4 жыл бұрын

I like it a lot I think I’ll make one for my 10.5

@jamesmurphy4736 4 жыл бұрын

As always, awesome video!

@cole33333333 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job looks good.

@madgirl564 4 жыл бұрын

Love your work man! Really inspiring keep it up

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@larrybriggs2920 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job Nate. I want your garage!

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@constructiontech1970 4 жыл бұрын

Looks good Nate!

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Trustyconsultinggroup 4 жыл бұрын

You are officially my fabrication hero

@DirtLifestyle 4 жыл бұрын

Lol thank you

@peterwatson8295 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet! Great video

@jimgavin1799 4 жыл бұрын

Another awesome video!

@mightysnafu 3 жыл бұрын

I may have to try that myself, I can use the welding and fab practice.

@jake-mv5oi 4 жыл бұрын

I'd integrate some load bolts for the bearing cap like Jantz covers if I built my own. Prolly overkill for an overlander though.

@Brendan9300 4 жыл бұрын

I made my own recovery point it went well

@chopperchuck 4 жыл бұрын

nicely done

@blakebippes1844 10 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@houseofhug 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@Blast357 4 жыл бұрын

nice video as always! stay safe

@edwardpoff575 4 жыл бұрын

Good job!

@memoaa7467 4 жыл бұрын

Nice job!