Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Soooo, someone on this board did question whether or not the Aisin rear diff cover pan would work on our axles. This is a thread confirming that it certainly does, I got the inspiration from the Chevy guys going out to the RAM dealerships or Driveline shops online buying our cover and putting them on their trucks. Here is my write-up on my install on my truck, enjoy.
The tools n' the parts comparison
#ad
Gaskets are identical
#ad
See (They're stacked on each other)
#ad
Painted the filling bolt. I see lots of these covers with this bolt rusted so I wanted mine to keep looking good
#ad
The old rear diff cover, 18,200.00 miles on that cover. Note the two long studs on the upper left of the housing. My truck doesn't use them and I don't know what they're for. But the new Diff cover has options on using 2 studs in that packet of bolts, or using 2 more Torx bolts. I decided to keep the studs in case I ever need to mount a line to it for something, like an e-locker or air locker if they make them for our axles.
#ad
Letting the cover drain. I let it drain for about 2 hours. Leave the bolt on top so the cover doesn't fall on you. I just went around and broke all the bolts loose first and then removed all the lower bolts.
#ad
Interior of the pans side by side. Note how there's directing vanes cast into the aluminum
#ad
Notice how much fine metallic stuff is on the pan and bolt
#ad
Inspect those fill plugs every oil change as the stamped cover is also magnetic!
#ad
Nasty
#ad
Ready to go
#ad
Great wear pattern, I'm happy I did this. Re-assured that my diff was wearing in well
#ad
I'd rather have this than truck nuts any day of the week! I love the rear end shine!
#ad
Just a last note. I torqued the bolts around to about 24 ft-lbs.
I torqued the fill bolt to 30 ft-lbs.
Also another note, since the owner's manual doesn't tell you, the rear end takes about 4 quarts and then the oil starts coming out of the hole. This is with my truck parked on a slight incline (front tires 3 inches higher than rear tires, I know my driveway well). Manual specs say you're good if you are 1/4" below the hole, +/- 1/4". So filling to the hole on a slight incline, I figure I'm just a little below it on perfectly level ground.
So there's a quick write-up. This is less than half the price of a mag-tec or any other pan, there's a website where you can pick it up for like 95 bucks or something. I bought mine from the dealer for 130 or so bucks.
The tools n' the parts comparison
#adGaskets are identical
#adSee (They're stacked on each other)
#adPainted the filling bolt. I see lots of these covers with this bolt rusted so I wanted mine to keep looking good
#adThe old rear diff cover, 18,200.00 miles on that cover. Note the two long studs on the upper left of the housing. My truck doesn't use them and I don't know what they're for. But the new Diff cover has options on using 2 studs in that packet of bolts, or using 2 more Torx bolts. I decided to keep the studs in case I ever need to mount a line to it for something, like an e-locker or air locker if they make them for our axles.
#adLetting the cover drain. I let it drain for about 2 hours. Leave the bolt on top so the cover doesn't fall on you. I just went around and broke all the bolts loose first and then removed all the lower bolts.
#adInterior of the pans side by side. Note how there's directing vanes cast into the aluminum
#adNotice how much fine metallic stuff is on the pan and bolt
#adInspect those fill plugs every oil change as the stamped cover is also magnetic!
#adNasty
#adReady to go
#adGreat wear pattern, I'm happy I did this. Re-assured that my diff was wearing in well
#adI'd rather have this than truck nuts any day of the week! I love the rear end shine!
#adJust a last note. I torqued the bolts around to about 24 ft-lbs.
I torqued the fill bolt to 30 ft-lbs.
Also another note, since the owner's manual doesn't tell you, the rear end takes about 4 quarts and then the oil starts coming out of the hole. This is with my truck parked on a slight incline (front tires 3 inches higher than rear tires, I know my driveway well). Manual specs say you're good if you are 1/4" below the hole, +/- 1/4". So filling to the hole on a slight incline, I figure I'm just a little below it on perfectly level ground.
So there's a quick write-up. This is less than half the price of a mag-tec or any other pan, there's a website where you can pick it up for like 95 bucks or something. I bought mine from the dealer for 130 or so bucks.
Last edited:
