aluminum diff cover option

Topic: aluminum diff cover option (Read 2801 times) previous topic - next topic

aluminum diff cover option

July 14, 2007, 08:51:09 PM

here is a tip carried over from the world of rangers; not sure if yous have seen it or not. maybe a cheap alternative for some of you, maybe jus sumthin different to look for at the the junk yard.

02+ explorers have an IRS setup using an 8.8 differential. the diff covers on these units is a pretty decent aluminum piece that looks like this(mounted on a live axle):

when you cut the ears off they can look like this one on my ranger:

advantages:

slightly deeper cover. more fluid capacity
aluminum dissipates heat better
fins help dissipate heat as well
large drain plug makes messy fluid changes much simpler
they jus look cool

things to keep in mind:

there is a fill plug on the cover. it is NOT at the correct height for a live axle.
you will need either the stock IRS bolts or longer bolts from the bolt gettin place as the cover is thicker than the stock steel ones
there is a vent opening in the upper corner that will need to be addressed. either blocked off, reuse the explorer short molded hose, or run up high someplace

if you guys have seen this info before, then n/m me :hick:

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #1 – July 14, 2007, 09:14:13 PM

looks neat!!

ive got a moser girdle on mine though

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #2 – July 14, 2007, 11:17:28 PM

Are holes in the center of the ears threaded by chance? If so that might make for a good mounting point for a pan-hard bar or something of the like.

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #3 – July 14, 2007, 11:36:06 PM

IIRC they not are theaded. those are the mounting locations for the diff in the explorer.
doubtful they would be useful for a PHB as it would be extremely short id imagine.....but maybe a creative mind could use them for some sort of watts linkage. ive thought about it, but im not runnin a live axle in my car anyhow.

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #4 – July 14, 2007, 11:37:30 PM

What do the covers on the other IRS 8.8's look like, like Mark Viii's and MN-12s?

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #5 – July 14, 2007, 11:38:52 PM

they are the same as the IRS cover on the cobras.

w/brace

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #6 – July 14, 2007, 11:55:47 PM

Oh, so they arent as cool as the sploder one.

I bet the junkyard down the road from here would want $50 for that cover at least. If theyll even let me take it.

For one thing theyve jacked the prices on everything lately.
And then theyll say ive ruined an entire explorer rear end, and charge me more for that.

I paid like $25 or $30 for just a turn signal switch for my TC because they said i ruined a whole steering column to get that switch. The column out of that car probably never would have sold anyway.

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #7 – July 15, 2007, 12:51:45 PM

If anyone has a buddy at a Ford dealership, they had a lot of issues with those Diff's being noisy. The remedy was to replace the chunk, so there are some of these floting around at dealerships.

Bonuses to that diff - 31 spline side gears, carbon fiber trac lock clutches, 3:73 gears (although they have an exciter ring for ABS) HD center "S" spring, and that aluminum cover. I grabbed a few for the gears and clutches.

Bob Myers

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #8 – July 15, 2007, 01:02:12 PM

yeah, back when they first came out i was workin as a tech. i "discarded" many of these diffs and covers when the warranty did not call for them back

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #9 – July 15, 2007, 01:22:07 PM

I was told these can be found under 8.8 rangers and explorers/mountineres. Is there anything else you can get these little jewels from?

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #10 – July 15, 2007, 01:28:34 PM

these are on +02 IRS'd explorers. the IRS is the key.

no rangers had the IRS, and some of the +02 explorer(sports and sport tracs) still had the live axle. the live axle cover is the same as the cars.

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #11 – July 15, 2007, 01:34:42 PM

I'm sorry, what about just the allumnium covers? I swear I heard that 8.8 exploreres/rangers got them and that would bring me to my next question if they did

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #12 – July 15, 2007, 01:37:16 PM

Quote from: martin0660;160938

Bonuses to that diff - 31 spline side gears, carbon fiber trac lock clutches, 3:73 gears (although they have an exciter ring for ABS) HD center "S" spring, and that aluminum cover. I grabbed a few for the gears and clutches.

Quote from: 84 Fila;160944

Is there anything else you can get these little jewels from?

ummmmmmmm...... ?????

Bob Myers

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #13 – July 15, 2007, 01:42:37 PM

Let me re-word that. Is there any other cars/trucks that the allumnium dif covers ( IRS or not) came on.

aluminum diff cover option

Reply #14 – July 15, 2007, 02:01:31 PM

i have never seen a live axle 8.8 with an OEM aluminum cover.