JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS)
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS).
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS)
JL Front Diff Skid (FDS)

JL Front Diff Skid (FDS)

NV-JLT-FDS210


Regular price$399.99
/
Finish
Vehicle
  • Est. Lead Time: Bare Metal (2-3 weeks), Coated (4-5 weeks)

The JL Front Diff Skid (FDS) is designed to provide protection for the bottom of the JL Front Diff, and provides the differential and pinion a smooth surface to slide over obstacles.

This Front Diff Skid will fit JLs and JTs - including 392s, Diesels and Mojave/Xtreme Recon Trims. It will not fit the M186 Front Axle found in most Sport/Sport S/Sahara JL Wranglers however.


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JL Front Diff Skid (FDS) for M210


The JL Front Diff Skid (FDS) is a heavy-duty skid designed to protect the JL front differential's drain plug (found in most JL/JT M210 front axles to date) and provides a smooth surface for you to slide over obstacles. All components are CNC laser cut and formed by a CNC press brake for a precise fit. We proudly fabricate and hand-weld this product in the USA.

The new JL Wrangler axles are a fantastic upgrade over the previous models. However, their shape, and bottom mounted drain plug is not ideal for rock crawling.

As any rock crawling enthusiast will tell you, every inch of ground clearance matters. Anything on your Jeep's underside that can be smooth should be, or it's likely to catch on an obstacle. Our JL Front Diff Skid (FDS) is CAD designed with 3D modeling to retain every bit of possible ground clearance for critical protection you need on the trail.

Product Details


We build the JL Front Diff Skid (FDS) from a combination of 1/4" and 3/8" thick steel. This diff skid ties into multiple locations on the differential flange, as well as clamping tight to the snout of the differential. As a result, you will distribute any force -- such as the weight of the vehicle on a rock -- over a much larger area. This skid also extends your coverage to the pinion and yoke/flange where the front driveshaft attaches.

*This skid is designed and recommended for use with our HD JL/ JT Front Diff Cover * It also seems to fit many other fabricated M210 covers that have been released since; including TMR, Ballistic, and Motobilt Diff Covers. It will *not* work with the Spicer aftermarket covers due to the shape/fin features or ARB differential covers.

Installation with a factory cover is possible but requires a shim/spacer to account for the factory cover's thinner material. For ultimate strength and protection, we recommend using this product in conjunction with our HD JL/ JT Front Diff Cover. *Front Diff Cover Not Included*

Included with purchase:


(1) Front Differential Skid Plate with Top Clamp
(2) Hardware Sticks with hardware/bolts
(6) Class 10.9 12 Point Flange Bolts


FAQs


    • Do I need to empty my differential fluid before installation?
      In our experience, no. The factory gasket in addition to the very thick/ rigid flange on our HD Diff Covers has not leaked any fluid when removing the lower 6 bolts on the cover, as long as the upper 6 bolts are left in place during installation.


 

    • This ties into the diff cover; will it cause the gasket to begin leaking fluid if hit hard enough?
      In our experience, that would be unusual. When properly torqued with a good gasket, the clamping force of the differential cover bolts along with a very thick/ rigid flange. This prevents most impacts from compromising the integrity of a good gasket/ seal between the cover and differential. Our diff skid extends so far forward, it arguably offers more leverage than the diff cover itself. This is why the pinion/ snout clamp components and hardware are so substantial.

 

    • What are the torque specs for installation? 26 ft/lbs on the M8 Hardware, and 37 ft/lbs on the 3/8"-16 Hardware

Additional Details

Products are designed and fabricated to fit vehicles that have varying tolerances from the factory, minor hand fitting may be required.

Products are shipped bare metal unless otherwise specified by the customer. Bare metal products may have scratches or surface imperfections as a result of raw material handling, manufacturing, and fabrication. However, these imperfections are easily covered up with a textured powder coat finish. Additional finishing, sanding, and prep work may be required if you wish to also have them finished with a smooth powder coat or paint.

Projected lead times are estimates only, and are subject to changes due to production realities, including material and labor availability and sudden variability in order volume. Lead times are not guaranteed, but we do guarantee that we are hard at work trying to get the best product we can produce and into our customers’ hands as quickly as possible.

All Next Venture Motorsports products are laser cut, CNC formed, and hand-weld with pride in the USA. We are a Colorado-based business, and welcome visitors by appointment at our Grand Junction, CO headquarters. We hope to see you out there on the trail soon!

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
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M
MICHAEL KRIEGER
Fits stock height Jeeps

I purchased both front and rear differential cover skid plates based on fitment guarantees for non-lifted Jeeps. Surprisingly other manufacturers assume or limit there design to lifted vehicles. That being said, Next Venture (NV) does have some limited competition for differential skid plates but frankly NV's quality cannot be matched! I do have one caveat regarding the front skid installation. I have another manufacturer's lower control arm skids installed. If I could weld with confidence I know NV's option would have met my needs but alas I do not. The third party lower control arm skid is a bolt on option with a longer than stock hardware replacement. This interferes with the NV's skid plate. Plan on modifying the skid plate or replacing hardware to install for this scenario.

K
K. Cart
Quality Craftsmanship

Quality craftsmanship, welds are perfect. Fits like a glove. With the Next Venture installation video , it only took me 20min to install that included me gathering the tools needed.

M
Margaret Vanderburg
Quality

Just did the install and the guys who did the installation were genuinely impressed with the quality and build

J
Joshua Rivet
Heavy duty!

I used the skid plate and a diff cover from NVM front and rear. So easy to install. High quality hardware. Perfect welds. It’s already protected my differentials on multiple rocks.

Awesome quality. Awesome company. American made. Highly recommend!

R
Ryder Gear LLC Pro Review
Front and Rear Diff Skids are Awesome

These diff skids are beefy, well made, and fit without any issue at all. I recommend getting the diff covers as well. These are a lifesaver on the trail.

Why next venture?

parts inspired by the trail

Our team got into the game after rock crawling, wrenching, fabricating and being inspired to design and build parts for what we love to do: hit the trail.

the team

what our customers are saying

★★★★★

They invited me and my whole crew in for a tour of the facility on our way to Moab. These guys not only produce amazing armor for your Jeep, they are really good people. So, I’ve been running their rear diff skid for 9 months and it has easily held up to everything I’ve thrown at it.

Gary Swogger
Felton, DE
★★★★★

After this go around with Moab and Holy cross, the diff skids did their job and protected my Jeep. My rear aluminum bumper performed phenomenally on the trail!

Rennato Lopez
Colorado Springs, CO
★★★★★

Can’t say enough about Dan and his ultra skilled team! Dan was able to get us in for a skidplate with UHMW & sliders for our JKUR. The fit, finish and quality are just out of this world! Can you say “stacked dimes”? Absolutely gorgeous welds…

Lance Wende
Montrose, CO
★★★★★

2 years later I'm writing this review. I've beaten the crap out of this thing hitting rocks, winching, draging it down obstacles, and now exposed to the Florida elements. The bumper looks like it did the day they sent it. You will not find a better company to work with that cares about their clients and their products!

JL/ JT Front Bumper - Adventure Series - Factory Fog Lights.
Kelly Colwell
Panama City, FL
★★★★★

My rear Next Venture diff skid takes a beating! Best rear diff skid available. Well done!

Lee Bower
★★★★★

Quality is amazing, items fit perfectly. Couldn't be more happy; these are gonna help out a lot between the tons and LS1.

Austin Besnier
Lakeland, FL
★★★★★

Without a doubt, Next Venture Motorsports is my first stop for epic Jeep parts. Their JL aluminum front and rear featherweight bumpers are solidly built, easy enough to install, and crafted to perfection. I can't wait for more products for my 2 door JL!

Michael Collette
Kimberly, WI
★★★★★

AWESOME quality and customer service. 2021 Jeep 4xe! Return customer and will return again. Thank You Dan!

Jeffrey Smith
Columbia, SC
★★★★★

I like it because it lets you use factory fog lights if you want. They also have a featherweight aluminum option that doesn't have holes for fogs and is essentially a stubby bumper. I am very pleased with all of their stuff. [JL/JT Adventure Series Bumper]

Author's name
Los Angeles, CA

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