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Hi all,
Have a long trip planned towing the camper this summer for my 2008 f350.
I am planning on changing the gear oil in the rear differential, and got thinking about upgrading the diff cover.
It currently has the plain steel cover.
I see a few different options:
1. the Ford factory finned aluminum cover
2. The generic ebay aluminum cover with drain plug https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Di...Nz1:rk:16:pf:0
3. The G2 brand aluminum cover, that has drain and fill plugs
I know there are more options, but the G2 is about the most I would spend at $120.
I have no desire to spend over $200 on a mag-Hytec or similar.
I really like the idea of having the drain plug so that I could do regular gear oil changes without pulling the cover.
Planning on getting a lube locker gasket.
Any recommendations?
When it came time to update mine i went with the Ford aluminum finned cover. They can be had really cheap. I do wish it had a drain bolt but really diff oil doesnt get that hot thus i dont mind pulling the cover every 3 or so years to change the oil and inspect the diff for wear.
That is the oem ford Finned aluminum one I referred to.
Looks good, I just wish it had a drain plug!
I may just go with it since it is reasonable in cost.
It would just be nice doing a drain and fill every couple years without having to pull the cover off.
DO NOT buy a diff cover that is flat on the inside. The curved shape of the cover helps with fluid flow, allowing easy flow to the top of the ring gear. Gale Banks made some videos that show how important this is:
Funny you mention that, I saw that video series a while back following a discussion in bobistheoilguy.com
Even before I saw those videos, I kinda wondered if these flat back diff covers were very good for fluid flow.
That's why I'm staying with the curved back style with a similar shape to oem.
Hi all,
Have a long trip planned towing the camper this summer for my 2008 f350.
I am planning on changing the gear oil in the rear differential, and got thinking about upgrading the diff cover.
It currently has the plain steel cover.
I see a few different options:
1. the Ford factory finned aluminum cover
2. The generic ebay aluminum cover with drain plug https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Di...Nz1:rk:16:pf:0
3. The G2 brand aluminum cover, that has drain and fill plugs https://www.amazon.com/G2-Axle-Gear-...2C1361&sr=1-23
I know there are more options, but the G2 is about the most I would spend at $120.
I have no desire to spend over $200 on a mag-Hytec or similar.
I really like the idea of having the drain plug so that I could do regular gear oil changes without pulling the cover.
Planning on getting a lube locker gasket.
Any recommendations?
I bought and installed the exact eBay diff. cover on my 2011 and it fit and worked perfectly.
Mark
The drain plugs seem handy, but really how often are you draining the diff? And even with the cover off there is always some oil left in the bottom of the housing, and when I wipe that last bit out it seems like that is the nastiest part of it where all the gunk is, a cover drain plug will leave all that in there. The Lube Locker gasket is reusable for many, many cycles and gives you access to get that junk out of the diff, which is the idea behind changing gear oil in the first place, isn't it?
The OEM fined cover with a Lube Locker gasket is what I run with.
I went this route as well. Just remember you are going to need longer bolts. These are a tad bit on the expensive side but adds a nice finishing touch to the cover -
.... I really like the idea of having the drain plug so that I could do regular gear oil changes without pulling the cover.
Planning on getting a lube locker gasket. ....
I have the Ford 2008+ cover, a lube locker gasket and added a 1/8" pipe drain plug in the cover before installing it.
I'll still pull the cover to wipe out the bottom of the housing if needed
I went this route as well. Just remember you are going to need longer bolts. These are a tad bit on the expensive side but adds a nice finishing touch to the cover - https://www.amazon.com/ARP-612-1250-...s=arp+612-1250. You'll need 3 packages.
I went with just a bit less bling on mine, stainless Allen cap screws with washers in 5/16"-18 X 1 1/4".
Well, I ended up going with the G2 cover. I really liked the fact it had a drain plug, it is made in the USA and it is a very thick casting.
It is shaped like oem on the inside and holds about 3-1/2 quarts like stock. The drain plug even has a magnet on it, my factory fill plug had one as well, so now I have 2 magnets in the diff!
Installed it with a Lube Locker gasket and used the supplied bolts.
Filled with Amsoil Severe Gear 75w140.
I just changed my fluid and used a lube locker gasket. No need for a drain plug because I like to wipe the crud off the inside of the diff cover.
Agree. This approach allows you to get more of the metal particulate out (wiping off inside of cover and inside of differential), compared to a drain plug.
02-24-2019, 05:09 PM
