Regearing with 4.56's soon - differential covers?

[kythri]

OK, so, dumb question, and it's past the time that I want to call the guy who's going to be doing the work.

I want to replace the rear diff cover, possibly with the Ford Racing one (can't find the SVO one anywhere, anymore ). Either way I go, I'm curious - do the "load bolts" or whatever the heck those are have to be used? I don't really see the need for them in something like my Explorer.

Further, does anyone make a replacement front differential cover, something with a drain plug? Having to siphon out all that crap is freakin' annoying.

 

[IZwack]

Apparently those bolts on the cover help with the cap from moving around. But off roaders never really use covers with those bolts. So instead of going with those aluminum covers, contact JTSMITH and get an indestructible cover from him.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200809

As for the front diff, since the cover is going to be removed for regearing, you can drill the cover while its out and install one of these at the very bottom of it:
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...part=SUM-G1380&N=700+-120229+115&autoview=sku

 

[Maniak]

I got this one from jtsmith.. It's not only really strong but it holds more fluid... and looks good.. (thanks to jtsmith's powdercoating services)

~Mark

 

[IZwack]

And with that cover, its 10 times easier to refill the differential 'cauz of the additional fill plug. Where as with the old cover, you have to go from the old fill plug at the front of the differential housing - a PITA.

 

[kythri]

Hrmmm...

Not horrible, but I'm kinda looking for something that looks more along the lines of this:

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SME-8510500&N=700+115&autoview=sku

Only without the Summit logo...

I like the lines of the Trick Flow cover, but, again, it's got a lame looking logo on it.

Not a fan of corporate/brand logos on something like a diff cover - to me, it's like putting a big window banner that says "FRAM" on your car because you're using an oil filter.

Now, if the brand on the cover was Yukon, I wouldn't have an issue, since I'm putting Yukon gears in the thing. That's why the Ford Racing cover doesn't bother me that much - the whole truck is a Ford.

Maybe I'm weird...

 

[IZwack]

Most of those covers are aluminum -- which you can easily destroy with a rock. Seriously, run a steel cover and dont worry about the logos, you can grind them away if you dont like them.

 

[kythri]

Heh.

I find this, which I really like:

http://www.yourcovers.com/dc_9519.shtml

and now you say forget aluminum...

D'oh!

How weak is aluminum, really? I mean, our stock wheels are made out of the stuff, and it seems to take the weight/stress...

 

[IZwack]

How weak is aluminum, really? I mean, our stock wheels are made out of the stuff, and it seems to take the weight/stress...

I did my undergrad in upstate NY. One night, there was snow on the ground (duh), and I slid sideways into a curb after evading another vehicle that lost control. The curb chipped about a 1" triangular piece of aluminum and shoved it into the tire -- the tire of course lost its air. If the wheel was made of steel, it would have bent instead of fractured. This is the reason why most off roaders run steel wheels (other than the fact that they are cheaper and easier to modify) -- competition rigs run aluminum wheels because they have big money and can afford replacing wheels every so often. Plus competition wheels are engineered differently than regular wheels with beadlocks that helps protect the wheel.

In the end, its your call, there are a few off roaders that run the aluminum cover. But after seeing a few rigs bash up against rocks (which always shakes my nerves imagining the possibility of the carrier moving backwards), I'd prefer a steel cover.

 

[Maniak]

Here is a steel one... no logos either..

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/images/Ford 88 cover 2 17 08.jpg

I never used it but looks thick... found it here...
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/ford-88-differential-cover-p-180.html

The issue with aluminum is they usually shatter while steel will bend when hit.

 

[kythri]

That Ruff Stuff one might be an option...

Thanks for the links, all.

 

[Turdle]

I guess to me the Rockcrusher logo isn't silly, because the cover is there to crush rocks. Unlike a valve cover which I agree should match the head -or engine, the diffy cover is actually a protective device in the off road sense.

 

[colindo94]

I have a ruffstuff one and its indestructable. Its made of 3/8" thich steel. Dan is in the area and is a great guy to deal with also. If for some reason do break it he will replace it. although he never used that warrenty before.

 

[DeRocha]

Those Diffcovers that Jon powdercoats are Sweet Unfortunately they weren't on my radar when I needed a diff cover. I run a TA Performance diff cover on my rig which sees moderate wheeling. I haven't had any issues with it, but I don't do any hardcore wheeling either.

Several other members run this cover including Rick (pictured below) & Diffwhackdaddy. It seams to have held up to the abuse they have subjected it to.

 

[CDW6212R]

Jon, how well does the clear powder coat hold up on diff's? I'm about to get a new pair of axles and a cover soon.

 

[kythri]

I guess to me the Rockcrusher logo isn't silly, because the cover is there to crush rocks. Unlike a valve cover which I agree should match the head -or engine, the diffy cover is actually a protective device in the off road sense.

Don't get me wrong - your powdercoating work is amazing, and makes those things look a billion times better.

I'm just not a big logo fan, I guess.

 

[5.0]

Either way I go, I'm curious - do the "load bolts" or whatever the heck those are have to be used? I don't really see the need for them in something like my Explorer.

What do "load bolts" do anyway?

 

[Maniak]

They push on the bearing caps.. In theory they help keep the bearing caps from moving (flexing) to help keep the bearings from moving/breaking/spitting out.

I don't think I've hear of anyone doing that on an 8.8 (at least wheeling).. but it is possible..

~Mark