OE rear end cover vs. Aftermarket.

[Mad Max]

Less than convinced this is a "must have", even in Texas and 100' plus heat.

You carry more fluid, yes, does it truly "reduce" temps? It likely will take longer as you have more oil to "heat up", and sure the thicker aluminum cover will likely conduct heat better, but the OEM cover is thinner? Temp diffs? Probably, but are they material enough to cure a problem? Why is there a problem in the first place?

As for the Bearings in the axle shafts, unless you drive down a perfectly straight road, that is also quite flat, the sloshing and constant splash has to be at least adequate or the oil level would have been higher in the first place, or a lot more of us would experience bearing and seal failures.

If you've experience a Dana Meltdown, I'd make an earnest effort to diagnose the problem before hiding it under an admittedly nice cover.

another two cents from...

Max

[This message has been edited by Mad Max (edited 01-15-2001). ]

 

[KWIKKURT]

Most of us Cummins owners fall under the (B) SERVICE SCHEDULE in the owners manuals and it states that you need to change the Axle fluids every 15,000 miles!!!

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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I took Joe's advice in his Issue 24 article and fill my diff lube with the truck parked slightly downhill. After reading this good discussion I am now thinking "Mag Hytec. "

Vaughn

 

[mbrolin]

I plan on getting the MagHytec cover. The 4x4 is fairly high and it something that would be seen. The owners manuals state that if doing any considerable towing or staying loaded at the GVW it is recommended that synthetic lubricant be used. Why they do not put synthetic lubricant in from the factory is any bodys guess.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges(more to come)

 

[John]

Yes Mad Max, as stated in my earlier post the reduction of rear end temps. was directly related to the addition of the Mag-Hytec diff. cover. This was documented in a previous issue of the TDR by John Holmes. As I remember, the temps. were taken well after the gear oil had a chance to heat up and stabilize, comparing the temps. with the Mag-Hytec cover installed with those taken using the OE diff. cover. In both cases Amsoil Series 2000 75W-90 synthetic gear oil was used, driven over the same stretch of highway towing the same load weight. It's about as scientific and conclusive as you are going to get.

 

[kaffine krazed]

tlippy said "I do hate to admit this, though. It's Sunday morning and I let the liquid gasket dry overnight cause it's been below freezing the last week. Because of your tips, I am going to exchange the 85W90 and buy a 75W90 synthetic. "

There's hope for you yet. Next thing you know you'll be intalling injectors and a boost module #ad

 

[Mad Max]

John -

I don't doubt said cover can reduce temps. My point has more to do with why people are having problems in the first place, and if they are... I'd take a long hard look at the rear end before increasing oil capacity/level and adding a cover that should disipate heat better.

If one wants the convenience of a drain plug, I'm sure Trans Dapt or some one like them has a chrome stamped cover with both fill and drain plugs.

As for serious rear end temp problems I suggest a look at a '63 Chevy Grand Sport(s) (Vette Family). The Vette team placed an oil cooler on the decklid and plumbed the 3rd member, using a tilton electric pump to circulate the oil and cool it.

If an operator is truly having a RE temp problem and the axle(s), housing and its alignment(s) are not suspectafter a thorough inspection, such a cover would be a rational first step. One can't overlook usage, if the truck is being operated outside/beyond its parameters one should expect problems.

I think Mag products are quite nice, but I would not use such a product as a stop gap for an underlying problem.

Max

 

[Skibby]

Simply stated,the Mag-Hytec is a great product an when synthetic oil is put in the equation it becomes an exceptional product!