I am not 100% certain, but I believe I have a 7.5 differential. I am installing a Detroit truetrac and wanted to get a new cover. I cannot find any covers like ARB or Mag-Hytec for my differential. Why don't they make any in this size? Am I missing something here?

Thanks

 

Posting this here for other's reference

Aftermarket covers are mostly "snake oil" products. Most of them alter the overall oil level which works the fluid harder, and that isn't good. Almost all of them also have an internal design/shape that works the fluid harder, heating it up more than a factory cover does.

Gale Banks is doing an in-depth study of this right now.

There is a whole series on Youtube. I recommend everyone watch the entire series. Here is the first video he did on it. He's still investigating:

 

Not looking good so far. Glad I asked on here first before dropping a wad of cash. thanks man.

 

I been watching this banks series for a bit. Awesome information. I second the motion to people thinking about diff covers to watch it.

 

Have you already bought the trutrac? If not, now would be the time to swap in an 8.8. Plenty of Rangers had them so it's a bolt in swap with parts you should be able to get easily. After that, you have all the aftermarket parts available you could want.

 

I've been having difficulties in finding a rear. Any suggestions where to find one, and how would I know if it's in good working order?

Also, would this be a direct swap-in part? I have a race car dynamics lift on it already.

Thanks

 

As long as it's from a Ranger, then it should bolt right in. The only possible issue I can think of is making sure it has a VSS, but I think that's been the same for quite some time.

Are you sure that you have a 7.5 now? There should be a metal tag on the axle or you can look at the door sticker.

 

Yep, I checked the door and the rear axle last night. Definitely a 7.5.

Even if I found one at a junk yard, I'd have no idea what to look for to make sure it is salvageable.

How much would a shop charge to swap it out, looks like a lot of work.

 

If the fluid comes out clean from the diff cover and there's no signs of obvious damage, I'd probably chance it. Others may have better feedback.

Not sure on shop labor, but it's not as hard as it sounds. Maybe a couple of hours to do? You're just jacking the truck high enough for the axle to droop completely and disconnecting two e-brake cables, two fluid lines, one electrical connector, two shocks, and four bolts on each side for the leaf spring plate.

 

You;ve been super helpful. What gear brand do you recommend for the 4.56? if I'm going to do this now, i want to buy the best performing stuff and not cheap out.

 

I'm going to respond to this over at TRS (as fastpakr) just to keep as much of the conversation as possible in one stream.

 

I bought a PML diff cover. I ended up painting it burnt copper to match my valve cover I did. It's larger capacity and I really like it. Zero issues. Has the drain at the bottom so I won't have to remove the diff cover anymore. Overall really quality piece made here in the USA, CA.
They even used my truck pics on their site...lol

https://www.yourcovers.com/diffcover_9593.php





-Nigel

 

Banks is selling his own Diff Covers ………..That's why hes bad mouthing the other brands. LOL His info makes sense......but fact is, he is trying to market his own brand of Covers. just sayin