Take a look at my sexy rear end!!!

[DocVijay]

I know what you're thinking, this post is not in the wrong forum. I'm talking about my Explorer. I just got my new differential installed along with my 4.10 gears, and figured I'd get a nice new differential cover too. What do you think?

Compare it with the old, stock cover:

BEFORE-

AFTER-

 

[aldive]

Very nice looking. And it has a drain plug also. Did this addition increase the oil capacity?

 

[jobunn]

Nice!

How different does it drive? What gears did you have before?

 

[DocVijay]

I went from 3.73 to 4.10 gears. Not a huge change, but noticable off the line. Just picked it up from my mechanic, so haven't been on the highway to see how much the rpms changed at higher speed. Shouldn't be too much.

I think it only increased the capacity about 1/2 quart or so. It's pretty close to the stock size, just much thicker. Plus it's lighter aluminum, so I must be much faster.

 

[jssong]

cool.. looks sweet

 

[DesertSpive]

Both Jefe and I have the same cover and it seeps. Make sure you use teflon tape on the bolts!

--Sean

 

[DocVijay]

Seeps from where? The bolt holes or from the gasket? I'll see how it does. Thanks for the notice.

 

[Alec]

I have the TA one ready to put on.

Remember not to abuse your new gears, and to change the fluid in about 500 miles.

 

[aldive]

What oil are you gonna run in it?

 

[DocVijay]

Haven't decided on the oil yet. Right now it's just the oil the shjop put while it the gears/LS break in. Then...? Any suggestions? I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil and tranny fluid. What does everyone else use. Also, what about hte friction modifier, what's a good brand?

 

[Alec]

I use Ford 75/140 synthetic blend and their friction modifier.

 

[aldive]

I would go with Amsoil Series 2000 ( Dead Link Removed ).; there is no need to add anything else.

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by DocVijay
Seeps from where? The bolt holes or from the gasket? I'll see how it does. Thanks for the notice.

Mine looks like it seeps from everywhere. So does every other SVO or T/A cover that I've seen/heard of. I even put gobs of RTV sealant on all the bolts and fill holes. It doesn't actually leak much, but its always collecting dirt and is a pain to clean.

I use Amsoil 75/150 in my diffs

 

[BigDave]

Where'd you get it and how much did it cost? (The part only, not the install.)

Thanks,

Dave

P.S. It looks bada55...

 

[Slush Box]

I have a question why the SVO cover is there something about that i haven't seen before. Are the gears SVO or is that just something like SVT ( Special Vehicle Team ), ( Special Vehicle Organization ) I would like to know the reason everyone gets this cover thanks.

 

[Slush Box]

Oh yeah and i was going to ask where could i find one if this is a good idea to get because i'm wanting to get either 3:73 or 4:10 gears with LSD thanks guys.

 

[DocVijay]

Maybe the bearing support studs make it leaka bit since they put "negative pressure" opposite that of the studs that hold it on. Then again, maybe not, just a thought.

Johnny: I got my gears and cover fron Jegs. The gears I used are from Ford Racing. The main bonus of the cover is the added support for the bearing main caps, to give a bit of extra strength. The casing design also makes it stronger overall. The secondary bonus is that it looks pretty cool. I guess both reasons is why people have it.

There is an Amsoil dealer near me. Maybe I'll stop in and see if htey have the gear oil. What's the difference between the Series 2000 and the regular synthetic?

Diff Cover ($171.99):
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4549&prmenbr=361

Gears ($189.99):
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3366&prmenbr=361


The LS differential can be found many places. I got mine from Performance Products with my 15% off coupon. The range from $370-450. I got an Eaton unit. There are others (Auburn, Ford Racing, etc... Not sure who builds Ford's, but it's not Ford. Think it might be Auburn, though). Just check around for prices. You'll need a Ford 8.8" 31 spline diff.

 

[Black Magic]

That does Look really good. Would it be advisable to get one just for looks? Or would the stock rearend suffer from the change?

 

[DocVijay]

I don't think it would suffer in any way. It's just a better diff cover. It provides more support internally and externally. It shouldn't be a problem with getting one at all.

For me, it's mainly for looks, as the rear end was (is) not the weak link in hte drivetrain. The Ford 8.8 is pretty beefy as is, so you'd likely break something else first. I know that my tranny (5R55E) is a POS and that will go out way before the rear end does.

I just figured that since I was regearing and putting a much better differential, why not get a new cover too.

 

[DesertSpive]

SVO stands for Special Vehicles Operations, it was the parts and performance arm that was the precurser to SVT (remember the SVO Mustang?).

The cover has many benefits. This cover is made of 356-T6 cast aluminum and offers better cooling properties over the stock stamped piece. It is also much stronger, due to the axle girdle and load bolts that support the differential bearing caps. The girdle's job is to span the width of the cover and keep pressure on the bearing caps to reduce distortion in the rear end during high load situations, such as drag racing, towing and off-roading. This deflection can cause your ring and pinion teeth to chip and shorten their lifespan. As a side benefit to those do-it-yourselfers, the cover also incorporates both fill and drain plugs in its design, so that the cover never has to be removed for the differential to be serviced. And of course it looks great.

I use 75/140 synthetic (what Ford calls for). The seeps come from every bolt on the back. I used teflon tape on the lower bolts, and on the fill and drain plug, along with the bearing jam nuts.

Hasn't seeped since.

--Sean