I need a set of diff guards and I’ve found several styles.
It seems logical to me that one that covers the entire circumference would be better than one that just covers half, however are the pumpkin type enough?
These are the ones I’ve found so far.
Opinions/comment please.

RRO:


http://www.rocky-road.com/zukarmor.html

Lowrange:


http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/samarmor.htm

TT/Petroworks:


ZOR crabs:


http://www.zuksoffroad.com/samurai_armor.htm

I know the Petroworks style ones work great, but they tend to fill up with mud.

And the crab ones are a bit funky looking. 

I know the Petroworks style ones work great, but they tend to fill up with mud.

And the crab ones are a bit funky looking. 

Yeah, most of the people I know have those pumpkin ones.  They seem to be the most popular.
However since they only go half way up, is that enough or am I just being paranoid?
 

 All those fancy designs with their holes, tubes and openings will get hung up on pointy rocks or stumps and roots. One solid smooth surface that blends to the rest of the axle profile like the TT or Petroworks caps work the best. Will allow diff to scrape over the rocks and is thicker than any of the other designs. They wont bend as easy as the tube or steel plates ones.
    Yeah, they dont cover up the diff all the way up, but you usually dont hit your diffs top half. Petroworks pumpkin caps cover more vertical space than the Trail tough ones.

Anyone used this Calmini one (intended for 99+):

http://www.puresuzuki.com/rear_axle_skid.htm

Yes I have one on a 95 Vit.
Taken a few good hits as well.
Does the job well.

I plan to use the Calmini "half-pipe" because of the protection for the relatively flimsy axle tubes.

The half-cover is more then enough to protect the hardware.  You are usually end up dropping onto rocks or driving straight into them, it's pretty rare that you have one sneak in and hit the top half of the gear.

You can cheat on the caps and make your own by getting a steel pipe cap and cutting it in half.  Instant front and rear protection.     One of the guys in the club then ran a piece of 3/16th along the bottom of the pumpkin for a bit extra protection.

As for the flimsy axle tubes, after ripping off the spring pads due to the lack of a traction bar we picked up some tubing with the interior diameter the same as the exterior on the axle tubes.  Cut it in half with a Saw-zall then sandwiched the axle tubes and welded it in place.   Threw a brace on top and now the only way something is going to hurt the tubes is if it brings a cutting torch with it.