Aluminum Rear end cover?

[TX Gooseneck]

I'd like to get one of these for two reasons, I feel they help and my stock cover is rusted horribly - American Axle painted over the rust Is the housing itself much different than the Dana?



Places and prices.

 

[Diesel Dan]

TX gneck



I have a mag-hitech used/looks new, that is in perfect condition that i will let go for $200. I think they are around $250 new.



Let me know if you are interested as i am about to put it in the classifieds.



Best regards



DD

 

[Bertram65]

Check out www.yourcovers.com they look pretty decent and cost a little less than the Mag Hytec. Plus they use all the cover bolts, I believe the Mag Hytec does not use the bottom center bolt which people have mentioned on here as a problem.

 

[24Vpirate]

Originally posted by Bertram65

Check out www.yourcovers.com they look pretty decent and cost a little less than the Mag Hytec. Plus they use all the cover bolts, I believe the Mag Hytec does not use the bottom center bolt which people have mentioned on here as a problem.

not tue they use all the bolts and a o-ring gasket best money spent in the looks dept. and functionality

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Mag Hytec is the one to get

The benefits are increased lube capacity, cooling fins for increased surface area to cool the lube, a dip stick with a magnet on the tip, and a magnet in the drain plug. If you want to get really technical and add a differential lube temp gauge, there is a 1/8th NPT just for that too. And they use an O-ring instead of a paper gasket, and come with stainless steel bolts to secure the cover. Removing for inspection and re-installing is quick and easy.



http://www.mag-hytec.com/differential covers.htm



For your '03, order the one for the 11. 5" American Axle. GM and Dodge use the same basic axle. Strange thing is, Mag Hytec doesn't show it on their website yet. Give them a phone call and tell them what you have and what you're looking for. Even try http://www.genosgarage.com/ they might have them in stock.

 

[rrausch]

Ditto on the Mag-Hytec. Their factory is just a few miles from me, and I've been there several times to get some things. They are good guys. The founder Roy, died last year and his son has taken over the business. They run a good shop. Clean, neat and all the machinists look like they know their business.

 

[rbattelle]

I agree the Mag-Hytec is the best. However, on the 3rd gen trucks, owners have reported that the cover doesn't use one of the bolts, and some have reported a great deal of sealing problems as a result. Apparently, the GM 11. 5 has one more cover bolt than the Dodge version.



Can anyone with a 3rd gen truck and Mag-Hytec confirm/deny this?

 

[Yo Hoot]

I'll being doing mine probably this weekend.



As you can see with this GM AAM rear and the photo afterwards, the drain plug replaces the bottom bolt. Mine never leaked a drop. It is by far the best rear cover you can buy.



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And after the install.

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Stainless steel socket head cap screws with thick SS washers. .



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Drain plug at the extreme bottom. Note the thickness of the flange. You do not need that bottom bolt. This cover was originally designed for both applications. The drain plug is not required on the GM rears. I had two drains side by side on the GM. Now i know why they put this one in.



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Superbly machined dip stick with a magnet on the end



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Check out the machine work... .



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Plugged location for a temp gauge.



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[Bertram65]

Originally posted by 24V pirate

not tue they use all the bolts and a o-ring gasket best money spent in the looks dept. and functionality

See Yo Hoot's post and pictures above. Although it's a on a GM the bolt pattern on the 11. 5" rear end is the same as the one the Dodge.

 

[GerryDrake]

03 3500 Dually stock cover

For comparison, here is the stock cover on my 3500 Dually. Now, which color to get to dissipate the most heat. . ???

 

[Fred Swanson]

The cover has the potential to leak if you do not follow their detailed instructions on the install. For the bottom bolt replaced for the drain plug, you will need a sealer there. The o-ring can't seal a bolt hole.

But if done according to directions, you will not have a leak. And if you tow heavy, which I'm sure you do Tx Gooseneck, put a gauge on it. It gets hotter than you think.

 

[Yo Hoot]

And this is the rear on a GM HD truck. 11. 5 AAM axle.



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[TBrennan]

Maybe it's jsut me but if I'm going to spend $200+ to replace the factory cover, I'm not going to go from a reusable gasket and no RTV to one that I have to mess with both an o-ring and RTV. If they address that issue I'd probably get one.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Originally posted by TBrennan

Maybe it's jsut me but if I'm going to spend $200+ to replace the factory cover, I'm not going to go from a reusable gasket and no RTV to one that I have to mess with both an o-ring and RTV. If they address that issue I'd probably get one.

No RTV required. The o-ring holds itself in the groove. Just coat it with some gear oil and install the cover. Mine never leaked a drop in two years. I took it off whne I sold the truck. The original o-ring looked was still in the groove of the cover and looked like it did when I installed it. Anybody that did have problems may not have cleaned the old gasket off well enough??? Who knows.



When I called Mag and asked if I could use this cover on the Dodge they said yes and then offered me a new set of o-rings... no charge. Just got them yesterday.



BTW, they also don't use the top center bolt. Big stiffening rib there.

 

[y-knot]

There is nothing wrong with a O-ring seal, my MagHytec cover has been on for 4 years+ and has never leaked a drop. The O-ring in my opinion is the best method to seal the differential covers. They allow cover removal with out the fuss and mess of the gasket sealer, and the re-installation of a simple bolt on. There are many other makes of rear covers, so it you would like to be different, just look thought some 4x4 magazines, or scout the web. Most others though will seal with a gasket and or sealant, nothing wrong with it, just be aware.

 

[Bob Wagner]

add some color



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[TBrennan]

I guess I wasn't clear, I think the O-ring is great, but I don't want to have to use an RTV sealant in addition becauase the bolt hole in the bottom isn't used.

 

[Yo Hoot]

The o-ring goes around the inside of the bolt holes so it will not leak

 

[Eric_77]

Originally posted by TBrennan

I guess I wasn't clear, I think the O-ring is great, but I don't want to have to use an RTV sealant in addition becauase the bolt hole in the bottom isn't used.

Okay understand what you are saying. The RTV is used once you fill the bolt hole that is not being used with RTV allow to dry to prevent oil from flowing into hole and around O-ring. It is a one time RTV thing; just be sure to allow the RTV to dry and that it completely fills the missing bolt's hole.



I really like the cover as it adds capacity about 8 qts total with the Mag HyTec as opposed to stock 5(?)

 

[Rosco]

Originally posted by Yo Hoot

The o-ring goes around the inside of the bolt holes so it will not leak

Yo Hoot,



Your a little misinformed regarding the Mag-Hytec and Dodge AAM 11. 5 axle. You NEED to use the rtv on the Dodge because the o-ring does not go completely around the bottom bolt hole. Instead it apparently cut's across the the bolt hole. Trust me, I bought one and even after filling the bottom hole with the rtv it still leaked. I think the Mag-Hytec is a very stout cover but for some reason the GM and Dodge AAM 11. 5 are not totally identical thus the leak issue's.



Also, on my truck I noticed that the spare tire may strike the cover under extreme suspension articulation so just I returned the cover rather than chance it. However, if Mag-Hytec produces a Dodge specific cover that would be free from these issue's then I would definitely buy another.