Rear Diff Cover ?
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Kodiak AK
Rear Diff Cover ?
Just bought my 2011 F450 diesel. I had a body shop spray undercoating on. I realized yesterday that they spayed everything including my differential covers. Should I be concerned about the undercoating on my rear diff considering I haul a 16k toy hauler? Will this cause excess heat?
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
The aluminum rear finned differential cover was installed in all 6.4L and 6.7L trucks to keep the rear differential cool. These engines make a LOT of power and these differentials can get pretty warm when under load for a long period of time.
I would make an issue of it, I think this could shorten the life of your differential.
I would make an issue of it, I think this could shorten the life of your differential.
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The aluminum rear finned differential cover was installed in all 6.4L and 6.7L trucks to keep the rear differential cool. These engines make a LOT of power and these differentials can get pretty warm when under load for a long period of time.
I would make an issue of it, I think this could shorten the life of your differential.
I would make an issue of it, I think this could shorten the life of your differential.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
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From: Lansing, MI
I'm pretty sure they stopped using the ribbed covers on SRW trucks built 11/2010 and later. DRW trucks are still getting them. My data doesn't extend past 12/2010 so I don't know if they have switched back or not. Take a look at my spreadsheet and feel free to input your data.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...thkey=COfo2fwD
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...thkey=COfo2fwD
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Senior User
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the fins have to have air going across them to really help. being on the back side of the differential with limited air flow, i doubt they are as effective as some think. the change from steel to aluminum is the biggest help.
being said, i do not think a thin undercoat cover will retain enough heat to even consider worrying. 07 and older got painted stamped steel covers and have you heard any problems with them? but if it really bugs you, grab something to take it off.
being said, i do not think a thin undercoat cover will retain enough heat to even consider worrying. 07 and older got painted stamped steel covers and have you heard any problems with them? but if it really bugs you, grab something to take it off.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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Just bought my 2011 F450 diesel. I had a body shop spray undercoating on. I realized yesterday that they spayed everything including my differential covers. Should I be concerned about the undercoating on my rear diff considering I haul a 16k toy hauler? Will this cause excess heat?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Albuquerque
SRW's starting in MY 2011 have regular stamped steel diff covers.
All MY 2011 F450 and F350 DRW's have finned aluminum covers. Coating the aluminum will reduce the ability to transfer heat.
Whether or not this will damage anything depends on the heat loading of the rear end.
If Ford determined that DRW's could tow at max across Death Valley in the summer without the finned heat dissipating cover, they wouldn't spend the money to put it on.
All MY 2011 F450 and F350 DRW's have finned aluminum covers. Coating the aluminum will reduce the ability to transfer heat.
Whether or not this will damage anything depends on the heat loading of the rear end.
If Ford determined that DRW's could tow at max across Death Valley in the summer without the finned heat dissipating cover, they wouldn't spend the money to put it on.