Clear Differential Covers
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Clear Differential Covers
OHH! Something clear that will get covered in road grime and suggests that I change the formulation of my differential fluid by adding colors.
That's okay I will stick with steel or aluminum, don't remember which.
That's okay I will stick with steel or aluminum, don't remember which.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: san diego usa
Clear Differential Covers
It sure would get grimy, although it would be nice to be able to stick your head under the truck and see if there's water in the diff...
I contacted these guys, their product is high-temp polycarbonate, but it's only 0.25" thick. Polycarbonate has a fairly high elastic modulus, in other words it's pretty stiff, and at this thickness it would probably crack if hit by a sharp object (like a rock). Their video is misleading; you could pound on it all day with a big hammer because the force is spread out over the face of the hammer.
However, if the cover were >0.5" thick and properly annealed, it would be stronger than your aluminum and steel covers. That would be nice off-road, you would have a bullet proof cover (literally).
I contacted these guys, their product is high-temp polycarbonate, but it's only 0.25" thick. Polycarbonate has a fairly high elastic modulus, in other words it's pretty stiff, and at this thickness it would probably crack if hit by a sharp object (like a rock). Their video is misleading; you could pound on it all day with a big hammer because the force is spread out over the face of the hammer.
However, if the cover were >0.5" thick and properly annealed, it would be stronger than your aluminum and steel covers. That would be nice off-road, you would have a bullet proof cover (literally).
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 807
Likes: 1
From: -
Clear Differential Covers
I used to work for American Axle and Manufacturing (makers of almost EVERY GM truck rear axle) and the cover pan provides a SIGNIFICANT amount of strength for the rear axle. To replace the steel cover pan with some chincy plastic part would weaken the axle. I have aided in FEA analysis on axles and without the cover pan there is as much as a 11% reduction in bending strength when loaded at the spring perches and secured at the wheels. IF you would even think about towing or loading your truck at or near it's GVWR chances are the plastic cover pan would crack through the bolt holes. Somebody had thier bad idea hat on that day...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Cabot, Arkansas
Clear Differential Covers
>IF you would even think
>about towing or loading your truck at or near it's GVWR
>chances are the plastic cover pan would crack through the
>bolt holes. Somebody had thier bad idea hat on that
>day...
Even if it were as strong as the steel cover... Why??? I guess I'm not a slave to fads.
Edmo
>about towing or loading your truck at or near it's GVWR
>chances are the plastic cover pan would crack through the
>bolt holes. Somebody had thier bad idea hat on that
>day...
Even if it were as strong as the steel cover... Why??? I guess I'm not a slave to fads.
Edmo
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 15
From: Toronto, Canada
Clear Differential Covers
When your spamming a site with ads, at least be smart enough not to make your user name the same as the product your selling. Geez!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14,947
Likes: 6
From: Topsfield, MA
Clear Differential Covers
I agree, that is pretty lame. You might be able to sell that to people who have NO idea about trucks, but the people who have no idea about trucks, don't wanna buy a diff cover. The guys who want one, know what is good and what is not, hit the road, you might find some old lady interested.
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
NEW PICS IN MY GALLERY!! :-)
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
Primary rig is:
95' F-150 EB 300/6 5 spd with 4" Superlift, MSD, Ram Air, Gibson Exhaust, 32" BFG Muds
NEW PICS IN MY GALLERY!! :-)
Then theres:
88' F-250 Superduty 351 + c6
95' Mercury Cougar 4.6L V-8
80' E-350 300/6 and a
3 spd column shifter baby. Top speed, 65mph, Go Baby Go!
The newest addition to the Ford family is a 99' Mustang GT 4.6L
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 11
From: IN FRONT OF YOU
Clear Differential Covers
Jeez, another great bolt on, maybe if you said you could gain 10 to 15 hp I would of bought it!!!
I think I can use my dogs water dish and about 8 tubes of rtv to make my own, I love saving money!!
I think I can use my dogs water dish and about 8 tubes of rtv to make my own, I love saving money!!
Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Billings, MT
Clear Differential Covers
Dyes to change the color of the fluid? Everybody wants a clown car nowadays. To me, your car or truck should be not more than 2 or 3 colors inside and out combined. What's up with everyone selling items to make your car look like a rainbow?
Also, I was weak, and wanted to see some pictures of this product, so I went to the web site. Talk about a PITA!!! It was so bright of a green with blue writing that I could barely read the thing.
The Law
Also, I was weak, and wanted to see some pictures of this product, so I went to the web site. Talk about a PITA!!! It was so bright of a green with blue writing that I could barely read the thing.
The Law
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phoneman91
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Oct 7, 2011 05:27 AM
