Aluminum Rear Differential Cover is it really needed?

[RBellah]

I am getting ready to change my differential fluids and need to know the if these aluminum covers like mag hytec and PML really help. I may also add a sway bar later and do not need it rubbing the aluminum cover. I posted this in the RV area since many here use their trucks to tow with and I am needing good feedback from the ones that have this setup and are happy with it or wished they had not went with one of the other brands. Someone on here said the 4500 cab and chassis truck now comes with an aluminum rear differential cover and so I am thinking this may also be the one to check out.



Thanks again in advance.

 

[HBarlow]

Is it required? No. Is it beneficial for increasing differential lube capacity, lube cooling, and prolonging lube and differential life. I believe it is.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It is standard equipment on the Max Tow package. I got 300k on my Dana 70 in my 98 and broke the pinion gear on a 20# launch showing off. The gears still looked new. I put one on the 2011 at 1,600 miles. They almost double the capacity.

 

[FourBarR]

I have had one on diff and trans for 400,000 kms. In addition to the increase capacity ,the the ability to change the fluid without removing the cover every time and the hole to add a temp probe and the dip stick makes it worth it.

 

[GAmes]

It sure can't hurt, unless you count the pain in the wallet adding more oil. :-laf Other than a couple pinion seals and axle seals, my differential hasn't been touched.

 

[HBarlow]

Not bad for almost a million miles! I'd say the Mag-Hytec cover contributed to that success.

 

[jelag]

I've had several trucks over the past 20 years... . sold them all when they hit the 500K mile mark. . Each made it to the magic number for us with nothing more than an oil change every 150K miles. . I now drive 05 3500 dually and tow 15-16K lbs... often I walk around the truck at rest stops and test the tires, brake rotors, hubs, rear end, and have been practicing on the u-joint when my knees don't bother me much... I just haven't seen a tire over 140*, a brake rotor over 130* and a hub over 100* and the rear end is usually in the 125* range. . My travel trailer runs about the same for the tires, hubs, and brakes. . I use and inf-red point and shoot tester. .

I can't find any information that talks about the break down of gear oil until the temperature reaches 200*... so I'm not worried... Hope this helps... .

 

[dresslered]

If anything at all, with the mag hytec, you now have a drain plug, a temperature port, and a magnetic dipstick (not to mention the extra fluid capacity). One of the first accesories I added. As far as the front differential, not needed (unless you are doing some heavy towing in 4WD).

 

[Kirwin]

I have the Mag-Hytec cover on the rear differential on my 03. I tow a 12K travel trailer and my truck weighs 10. 5K. I have Cyberdyne gauges with sensors in the transmission, transfer case, and the rear differential. I can tell you that the rear differential can exceed 200 F when pulling a hill towing heavy. Normally, in ambient temperaures of 90 F, the differential runs about 180 F towing and close to 140 empty at 65 MPH. It does vary with ambient and how fast you're driving. I typically tow around 65 MPH. The transmission runs very close to coolant temperatuure even with both one fast cooler and Geno's manual transmission filter on it. After a long period towing in 6th gear, probably on the order of 2 hours or more it is right at 200-215 F. Shifting to 5th gear and climbing a long hill at 60 mph in 5th will actully cause transmission temperature to fall some; but, if your climbing a hill steep enough to force you out of 6th gear, differential temperature will rise. I do not know what the differential temperatures were before I installed the Mag-Hytec pan so I can't do an apples to apples comparison unfortunately.

 

[CharlesHoward]

I got an Oasis/Outlaw Diff cover Black with a Silver Ram on it both because its cool looking and now I can drain the Diff Fluid w/o unscrewing 14 bolts on and off and have a little extra capacity that won't hurt. I've gotten a few positive comments on it as its apparently unusual.
Find it online at
http://www.americanrebelmfg.com/odc

 

[EMAC2]

I got an Oasis/Outlaw Diff cover Black with a Silver Ram on it ... ... .

do you have a link for the supplier by chance?

 

[RBellah]

I never seen this one CH above post talked about. Here is the link. http://www.jackit.com/axle-parts/diff-covers/outlaw-diff-covers.html?p=2&truck_make=216

I was noticing the Max Tow Package cover and it appears to not carry additional fluid just the aluminum with fins... that is what started me to thinking again on this subject.

Thanks for the feedback and if anyone has the Max Tow package cover information then let me know.

 

[AH64ID]

If you consider than the new 800 ft/lb trucks use them then I would say that it's a good idea. GM uses the same axle without a finned cover thou.

I am running the MH and a Hellwig swaybar, no interference issues.

With good fluid you can get at least 50K miles out it, much better than the 15K recommended OCI with the stock cover.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I changed my cover to the Mag Hytec before 2k and my fluid was clear looking with very little towing. My Dad just did the cover on his 3500 12 Dually and it was very black at 7k with a lot of towing. We both installed AMZ/OIL 75/110 Severe Duty. Our covers have the Geno's sight glass and with over 12k on my fluid it is a bit dark but still translucent.

 

[AH64ID]

I changed my cover to the Mag Hytec before 2k and my fluid was clear looking with very little towing. My Dad just did the cover on his 3500 12 Dually and it was very black at 7k with a lot of towing. We both installed AMZ/OIL 75/110 Severe Duty. Our covers have the Geno's sight glass and with over 12k on my fluid it is a bit dark but still translucent.

Not that it will hurt anything, but AAM recommends 75w-90, and doesn't state anything thicker is needed unless your above GCWR running in Death Valley.

 

[AH64ID]

I changed my cover to the Mag Hytec before 2k and my fluid was clear looking with very little towing. My Dad just did the cover on his 3500 12 Dually and it was very black at 7k with a lot of towing. We both installed AMZ/OIL 75/110 Severe Duty. Our covers have the Geno's sight glass and with over 12k on my fluid it is a bit dark but still translucent.

Not that it will hurt anything, but AAM recommends 75w-90, and doesn't state anything thicker is needed unless your above GCWR running in Death Valley.