[hotstik]

I have encountered what may be a potential problem with the installation of the new Mag-Hytec Dana 50/60 Front Diff Cover on my my lifted 2000 F250 4x4 with the Donahoe 4.5" lift.

This morning I installed the new front diff cover, which installed with no issues. However, after taking a closer look at the clearance between the Donahoe pan rod bracket and the mag-hytec cover, I don't think the cover will be able to move past the bracket without hitting when the suspension is compressed.

I am unsure about the best way to check the clearance via compressing the suspension. And, I am hesitant to drive the truck, as an actual impact between the cover and bracket would be very costly.

Has anyone installed one of these covers with the Donahoe lift?

Thanks!!!!

 

[kwazyca]

Does your new Mag-Hytec cover look like this (scroll down to the new Dana 50/60).

Take a look at the pictures of it installed.

If it does not have the cut out for the front steering I would take it back and get them to order you the right one.

Hope this helps,

Tom

 

[hotstik]

Yep...that's the one.

The steering components clear the cut-out no problem.

I am concerned about the top of the cover whacking the bottom of the pan rod bracket.

Thanks!

 

[teamroper60]

Is this some bracket that is part of the lift?? I can't imagine that Mag-Hytec would've waited this long to release the pan if it wouldn't work with the factory suspension. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif (At least I hope not, I am installing new Mag-Hytecs on both diffs tonite!)

 

[hotstik]

Yeah, it's the Donahoe bracket that's part of the lift. However, it looks like that even with the stock bracket, things would be very tight.

 

[Bear_Hunter]

Can you take a pic?...I am also interested in this front cover.

 

[kwazyca]

Pan rod???

Are we talking about the track bar????

Or am I being stupid?

How much further does the Mag-Hytec pan stick out from the front of the punkin than the stock one?

Tom

 

[hotstik]

Okay...here are a couple of pics....


Pictures

 

[kwazyca]

Your links don't work for us.

You have to logout and then copy the link to post here.

 

[hotstik]

Oops!

okay...I changed it

let's see if they work now... Pictures

 

[kwazyca]

Man, That does look like it will hit.

What does it look like laying under the front of the pan looking straight up?

I am E-Mailing a couple people to see if they have had any problems. But I am pretty sure thay are all at Indy.

Keep ya posted,

Tom

 

[hotstik]

I've added another photo looking straight up from directly underneath.

Pictures

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Bear_Hunter]

Hmmm... its hard to tell. How much further does this cover stick out from the stocker?

Hey thanks for the pics....

 

[kwazyca]

[ QUOTE ]
I've added another photo looking straight up from directly underneath.

Pictures

Thanks!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you put on the extended Bumpstops?

Or is it still too close with them?

Sure looks to me like it is gonna hit.

 

[hotstik]

The Mag-Hytec cover sticks out about one inch further.

Depth of stock cover = 3 inches

Depth of Mag-hytec Cover = 4 inches

It is worth noting that the stock cover has a nice rounded profile, and that you do not get to the max depth of 3" until the center of the cover. With the Mag-Hytec cover, you're at 4" from the top on down. It has a much squarer profile.

 

[kwazyca]

If it was me, I would pull it until I talked to Mag-Hytec on Monday.

Or to Donahoe, either one.

Just too expensive to risk. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

 

[hotstik]

No extended bump stops...

However, if the cover and the bracket are going to hit, it would happen early enough in the compression of the suspension that bump stops would not yet have made contact.

I don't intend to drive it with the new cover installed until this gets sorted out. However, I was hoping that someone might have already experienced this issue, or that someone knew how to compress the suspension gradually without actually driving the truck so that the clearance could be checked.

 

[teamroper60]

Well, Ytee and I just got done doing the install on my covers. That front one is close where the tie rod crosses in front. At full lock to the left, there can't be more than a quarter of an inch of room in there!! Good thing the steering linkage is attached to the axle, so if it goes up, the axle goes up with it!

 

[hotstik]

Well, that's the same deal with mine. The pan rod and steering stuff just clears by a fraction of an inch.

What about your pan rod bracket? Does the stock one seem to be hanging over the cover in the same menacing fashion as the Donahoe one?

Thanks!

 

[teamroper60]

Just went out and looked at that.... It appears that it would bottom out on the stock bump stop just a little (and I do mean little!) before the pan rod bracket could make contact with the cover.

Just a thought on compressing your suspension to check the clearance, could you put a floor jack under the drivers side leaf spring and jack it up slowly to push the suspension up on that side?? That might give you some idea of how close it is going to come. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif