Plastic diff cover?

[89 ranger newbie]

Changing rear axle seals on a 1989 ranger xlt, 2.9 v-6, dana 35 7.5 inch rear diff. Pulled the diff cover, feels like plastic. Is it?

 

[Dirtman]

Could be, plastic diff covers definitely do exist. Whether it is factory or someone replaced it I have no idea.

 

[89 ranger newbie]

Thanks for the reply, also wondering if anyone has had issues with the plastic covers cracking easily or leaking. I'll be taking this truck on a lot of logging roads, would hate to have a rock break the plastic.

 

[Dirtman]

Just grab a steel one from the junkyard. Can't cost more than 5 bucks...

 

[scotts90ranger]

They're fiberglass, and aren't really known for breaking

I've never been on a logging road where I was backing up a 1'+ burm into a rock where this will come into play, but I did swap from either a fiberglass or steel cover to some fabricated 1/4" plate cover on my Ranger so I do understand . I understand anything can happen...

 

[racsan]

My 93 4x4 had a composite cover, I replaced it with a summit alloy girdle cover. Still have it as I switched the cover back to the composite one before I sold the truck. I never had any issues with it, I just liked the cast alloy cover better.

 

[adsm08]

I haven't managed to break mine yet, but not for lack of trying.

That said, the only reason I haven't replaced it with a metal one already is because I have a 31-spline 8.8 for the vehicle.