How To Install A Mag-Hytec Rear Differential Cover

[Magnum]

Excellent write up. Removing the spare tire definitely gives you more room.

 

[R1jamn]

With Photo Bucket going to a fee paid service, the pics I posted have been omitted from 3rd party hosting.
I had a member PM me for the pics as he had ordered a Mag-Hytec cover and I realized I needed to do something about this.
Here is a link to Google Drive that I can use to share the pics.
Keep in mind that these are not in order as the actual "How To" write-up I posted.
You will have to arrange them in order according to how I wrote the "How To".

Click Google Drive

I also added this share link at the top of the first post for anyone to access.

 

[MDJAK]

This is a model for perfect how to instructions.

Question from a noob. Is this mod done solely for the look? I do like it. Just curious. Ty

 

[Ruger]

This is a model for perfect how to instructions.

Question from a noob. Is this mod done solely for the look? I do like it. Just curious. Ty

No, there are several real good reasons to replace the factory differential cover. First and most importantly, the factory cover does not have a drain plug. That makes servicing the differential with new fluid real problematic. All fluids age with use and time, and the differential gear oil is no exception. All replacement differential covers have drain and fill ports because it's senseless to not have both. The Ford engineers evidently saved two ounces and $1.95 by not including a drain plug.

A second benefit is capacity. I've forgotten exactly how much more fluid the Mag-Hytec differential cover holds, but I think it's at least a quart more. More fluid in a differential is a good thing - it'll provide better lubrication over a longer period of time.

A third benefit is cooling. Almost all of the aftermarket differential covers are engineered with vastly greater surface area to draw heat out of the unit. As the differential is in the wind, it can't help but reduce the temperature of the gear oil and therefor the mechanical parts inside the differential. Heat is the enemy of both mechanical parts and fluids, so this is rea benefit especially if you do a significant amount of towing or hauling.

A fourth benefit is the dipstick in the Mag-Hytec differential. If there's any guesswork involved in refilling the differential to the proper level, the dipstick eliminates it.

And finally, both the dipstick and the drain plug have magnets. A magnet acts as an open filter, attracting and taking out of the gear oil any metal that may have accumulated due to normal wear. That keeps the fluid cleaner longer.

Convinced? You should be!

 

[Gary E]

Banks diff cover testing. Worth the watch

 

[Z7What]

After reading @Ruger comment about the benefits of the Mag-Hytec, I knew before I even scrolled down that someone was going to post the Banks videos and bam the very next post.

Although the videos do show that the design isn't the best I personally think its nothing to worry about. Change the fluid more often which is now a lot easier with the drain and fill plug and you wont have a issue. Mines been on for 40K miles with no issues.


Just a FYI, on the front drivers side of the housing there is the factory fill plug. Use a 3/8" ratchet to remove. This plug is in the location it is because when filling through this port you cant over fill the rearend. When I was filling my rearend I removed this plug and added the oil through dipstick hole in the cover and once the oil started coming out of the factory fill hole I stopped adding oil and put the plug in. Its basically a fail proof way to make sure you don't over will it with oil.

By the way, we need to get them to make a trans oil pan for the 6R80 in our trucks. I e-mailed to ask them if they had plans to, but no response...

I actually called them 2-3 months ago asking if they ever planned to release a cover for the 6R80 and I was told that its in the works, that its possible we could see it late 2019. Cant believe its taken them 10yrs to just start making one.

Wayne

 

[EricM]

I'll wait for the Banks cover for the rear end. Any trans pan works.

 

[MDJAK]

Very much appreciate the detailed explanation as to the benefits of changing it. I have no doubt it's a good thing to do.

I'll wait for the Banks cover for the rear end. Any trans pan works.

I've seen quite a few choices in covers. Knowing nothing about them, what is the Banks cover? Also, I believe I saw a cover by Ford Performance on one of the truck supply websites. Is that any good? Looks like it has the drain plug and filler.

Is there an acknowledged "best" one?

Thanks again, and excellent writeup with some of the clearest and best photos I've ever seen during a writeup such as this.