Probably a weird question, but I just got some riddler diff covers. As I understand it, they come bare, so most people seem to paint them. However, being as I live in Mass, and it's a lovely 10* this morning, it is too god damn cold to be able to paint. Can they last the winter unpainted, or should I wait until its warm enough to paint them then put them on. Also, is it ever too cold to change the diff fluid? (I've never done anything diff related, so I have no idea)

And finally, I have a factory LSD in the rear. Do I need to do anything special in terms of fluids? Thanks!

 

I guess I'm not done, to add on, I also got the rockhard skid for the oil pan/tranny. Same question, is it okay to put on without painting?

 

Don't put anything bare steel on your jeep!

You will regret it when you have to refinish and then paint later. You would only make even more work for yourself. Do it right the first time!

 

Wrenching in the cold blows. I'd wait. Definitely get them coated with some sort of rust protection, otherwise it's like a rust invitation to your truck.

 

I painted mine and even scrapes rust within a week so a totally bare cover would be a mess in no time.
I would find somewhere to paint before install!

 

I have to second that. I am sure you are excited to work on the Jeep; I know I always am, but it would be bad to put naked steel on your Jeep.

I am thinking that 10* might be a bit cold. If you have a basement, that might work. But I think paint needs to be above 60* or 70* to dry properly.

-John

 

I'm gonna powder coat mine, got a buddy down the street who has a shop.

 

Heh, it's not so much the excitement to wrench as it is fear of the wife's wrath for ordering parts I need to wait 4-6 months to install

i guess I'll have to find a warm place to paint then

 

I always thought the riddlers came painted? If not you definitely need to paint them. Some rustoleum would work fine and is easy to touch up

 

I put all my parts for the jeep and Harley on my bbq pit and hit them with paint. The paint holds up much better
AMen