Anybody have a recommendation for a guard that protects the mounting bolts and underside of the Ford 9" diff ?

Plenty of yoke guards but not finding anything for the diff / axle housing itself

I haven't seen anything for that. Guessing because most people don't want to give up the ground clearance. If it helps I've used my bronco pretty hard and have never had an issue with any of those bolts getting jacked up.

The only thing I've come across are the weld on skids, but they don't cover the bolts. Just run taller tires :)

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/We ... te_for_9in

This is the only one I know of. If I had mine to do over again I'd buy it over making my own. The bolts aren't much of an issue due to the tilt of the housing.

I added a drain plug off center on mine and the bottom of the housing seemed a bit thin from dragging over rocks. So I welded on a section of 1/4" flat bar there. But I have also never damaged the threads. It could be beneficial to add something vertical as well to protect the pinion.

I must be a rough neck cuz I got a couple that have taken a hit and the threads are a bit bunged up.

I was hoping there would be something that would bolt to the housing using the diff mounting bolts. It would have a little flange going forward to protect the bolts and then a flange back under the housing itself. Doesn't have to be very thick, 3/16" or 1/4" like JD a said.

My problem is if I get bigger tires......I somehow manage to find bigger rocks

Here you go:

http://www.jamesduff.com/eb/axles_misc.html

Thanks, that is perfect.

I always forget to check duff