Diff cover- compatible with the Explorer??

[MuscleJunkie]

Saw this advertised and was wondering if it will fit on our Explorers?? Any reason not to use it??

Your Ford 8.8" Differential does alot of heavy lifting, why not dress it up and help cool it down at the same time with this Saleen Aluminum Rear End Girdle. This lightweight differential cover is made from 356-T6 cast aluminum and features a reinforced crossbar with load bolts to provide additional support for differential bearing caps to reduce bearing cap fatigue and failure. Manufactured to exacting specifications, this differential cover goes through a unique 3-step manufacturing process to insure accuracy and the high quality you've come to expect from Saleen.

• Incorporates a Fill Port and Drain Port for Easy Servicing
• Incorporates 2 Load Bolts with Swivel "Feet" For Supporting Bearing Caps
• Increases Fluid Capacity by Approx. 1/2 Pint, Reducing Operating Temps By as Much as 15°F

 

[toobladink]

Where did you find this? That's cool they found a way to stick extra fluid in there

 

[410Fortune]

Will work on your 8.8 yes
Ford motorsports, arb, summit, and others all make similar cover that includes the main bearing cap girdle supports
This is an old design! Been around since the fox body mustang. It works well great for on and off road use

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, that is a nice one and popular in design. I have one like it made by Ford Motorsports, Jon powder coated it for me long ago. They used to be about $200, early on they were under $175 or so. I've been hoping Banks would make one of their special finned covers for the 8.8, but they never have.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

What connects to those points on the center of the cover? how would they be used on the Explorer and what exactly are the benefits?

Saleen has this for sale

 

[wollimann]

Ford Performance Parts Axle Girdles - Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing

Find Ford Performance Parts Axle Girdles and get Free Shipping on Orders Over $109 at Summit Racing! Ford Performance Parts axle girdles are a great way to strengthen the rear-end of your car. Made of lightweight aluminum, they incorporate load bolts that provide additional support for...

www.summitracing.com

Ford Performance Parts axle girdles are a great way to strengthen the rear-end of your car. Made of lightweight aluminum, they incorporate load bolts that provide additional support for differential bearing caps. Because they reduce the amount of flex in your differential while under load, they significantly reduce bearing wear and chipped teeth on the ring and pinion. They provide increased ring and pinion gear life and are a definite must for all racing and high performance street cars.Additional information:* Available for a variety of applications, including some independent rear suspensions* Replaces OE rear cover * Covers with cooling fins and machined for differential cooler pickup and return fittings recommended for road racing or extended high-speed/high-temperature applications* Models equipped with differential coolers may require modifications * Check exterior clearance to chassis/suspension.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/download/instructionsheets/FORDINSTSHTM-4033-G2.PDF

 

[donalds]

I'd go with a banks ram air cover

 

[CDW6212R]

What connects to those points on the center of the cover? how would they be used on the Explorer and what exactly are the benefits?

Saleen has this for sale

Those are the adjustment bolts, you run them in to place a certain force against the main caps, and lock them with the large nuts.

 

[CDW6212R]

I'd go with a banks ram air cover

.
Have they started making one for the 8.8 yet?

 

[donalds]

.
Have they started making one for the 8.8 yet?

Guess not
I wanted one to..

 

[CDW6212R]

I keep hoping. I called them a couple of years ago to ask how likely, and they said we'll see.

 

[swshawaii]

Any 8.8 cover will work as long as you have sway bar clearance. I believe T/A Performance makes the 8.8 covers for Ford Racing, Moser, SVO, etc. I bought and installed the Moser 7106 from Amazon in 2011 for $150 shipped. Very easy install, but make sure you follow the recommended carrier bearing support torque spec of FIVE foot pounds (60 inch pounds). Also important to use the STOCK fill level plug on top of the differential because most aftermarket cover fill levels are too high and will be overfilled.

https://www.taperformance.com/PDF/Rear_End_Girdle_Instructions.pdf

 

[Rick]

I ran this same cover on my 8.8 for many years. Mine was branded T/A. Other than that, exactly the same. What I didn't like is that the fill hole is much to high. You don't want to over fill.

 

[Rick]

I believe T/A Performance makes the 8.8 covers for Ford Racing, Moser, SVO, etc.

That is correct.

 

[MuscleJunkie]

What about this comment on the Saleen advert

• Increases Fluid Capacity by Approx. 1/2 Pint, Reducing Operating Temps By as Much as 15°F

Are they just overfilling it?

 

[swshawaii]

Check out these Fore Precision Works covers. For $350+ I doubt they sold many and it's no surprise they're out of business,

Fore Precision Works 8.8 Rear Cover - Google Search

 

[CDW6212R]

What about this comment on the Saleen advert

• Increases Fluid Capacity by Approx. 1/2 Pint, Reducing Operating Temps By as Much as 15°F

Are they just overfilling it?

That cover may take a little more, but fill it with the OEM fill hole in the front of the housing.
Also be sure any cover you buy has the similar rounded shape on the back. Some aftermarket covers are huge in the back, cavernous, which doesn't control the fluid well(it needs to be forced by the ring gear up and over, forward onto the pinion bearing etc). All of those shaped like the Saleen version, or SVO, FMS, TA etc, those will be very good.

 

[Rick]

What about this comment on the Saleen advert

• Increases Fluid Capacity by Approx. 1/2 Pint, Reducing Operating Temps By as Much as 15°F

Are they just overfilling it?

1/2 pint sounds right. I believe the cover is "deeper" allowing slightly more fluid fill.

 

[97Sandbox]

I didn't want to hijack this thread and hadn't gotten my cover done back in October, but I want to chime in with the "ballin on a budget" option of using an IRS 8.8 cover from a 3rd or 4th gen. It's certainly been covered before and on other forums: basically pull the cover at a JY, lop of the mounting ears for the IRS, and blend what's left however you like.

$20 for the cover, a couple hours with a port-a-band and die grinder, Rust-Oleum semigloss, and another 30 min with a cartridge roll nets you this:

I'm mostly excited just to have a drain hole, but a thicker cast cover with cooling fins can't hurt either.

 

[Rick]

That's the biggest drain plug I've ever seen on a diff cover. Must be meant for fast NASCAR style pit work. LOL