I'll be upgrading the cover soon for sure. What do you guys usually suggest? I've heard Mag-Hytec is the way to go.

 

I did the 08 stock alum cover, it was about $50.00.
Don't forget the Lucas SAE 75w-140 Synthetic Gear Oil!

 

Awesome, thats what I'll do.

 

Rather than installing a gauge, just use an infrared thermometer, as needed. My '01 diff read 135F after towing 2500# for a hours at 75 mph. Stock steel cover, stock lube. All I needed to know.

With your infrared thermometer, you can also measure trans. pan temps, wheel temps (checking for wheel bearings) and brake disk temps. A very handy diagnostic tool for A/C and heater problems - measure t-stat housing temps to watch the t-stat open, lines to the heater core to check heater core function, etc.

 

Check with manual what oil you should use.
My Dana 80 takes 75-90 oil.

 

With all of the extra design that has gone into engines and transmissons, I've often wondered why more work hasn't gone into rear axles...

heck, even my power steering pump, and manual transmission have a coolers on them now... but the rear end is still more or less set up the same way they were in the 1940's... Ring & Pinion in an oil bath.

 

Yeah. And the tires are still round.

 

but now they're tubeless radial instead of bias-ply with tubes

I guess we did at least scrap the worm drive for ring and pinion.

 

Only if they are made correctly. You should try the square ones...