[HorseMan-AR]

Does anyone know why some 2011 SD's come with the black steel rear diff cover, and others come with the aluminum (finned) covers? I have a 2011 F350 single rear wheel with 3.55 axle ratio and it has a steel rear diff cover.

While towing my horse trailer up and down some 6 and 7 percent grades for some 17 miles, I noticed the rear diff was extremely hot to the touch.

Comments on putting an aluminum rear diff cover on?

 

[Hooked]

What I heard was that there was shortage of the aluminum covers in late 2010/early 2011 and Ford switched to the steel covers as a result. My truck with an April 17/11 build date came with the steel cover as well.

The aluminum cover is available from the online Ford parts guys and I think it was in the $60 - $80 range.

Brian

 

[HorseMan-AR]

My build date was mid-March...most certainly the black steel version. If anyone knows of a quality after market aluminum cover, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Nix Besser]

My build date was mid-March...most certainly the black steel version. If anyone knows of a quality after market aluminum cover, I'd love to hear about it.

My order date was 04-30-2010, delivery was 06-18-2110 and my truck came with the steel cover. When I asked the dealer what the story was I was told it was a parts availability thing. :icon_rolleyes:

I want to do the AMSOIL thing in the diff's so I might as well to swap out the steel plate with the Al cover. Does anyone know the correct Ford OEM parts number?

Nix Besser

 

[doczenith1]

Based on the data I collected in the spreadsheet referenced in my signature it looks like they switched over in late 2010 as Brian (Hooked) mentioned. I don't have much recent data but it seems as if they never went back to the ribbed covers for SRW trucks. I think they're still using the ribbed covers for DRW trucks. Those of you with 2011 build dates feel free to enter your data in the spreadsheet.

 

[fordsforever73]

I put a set of these on my dually diff's: Ford Dana 80 F350-450-550 Aluminum Differential Cover | eBay. They're awesome if you like the polished look.

 

[Nix Besser]

Mag-Hytec might be a choice.

The Mag-Hytec cast unit might be a choice to replace the steel cover.

Mag-Hytec

PROS: Looks to be very well engineered and made with drain plug, dip stick, increased fluid capacity and temp sensor capable. :thup:

CONS: A bit dear with a cost around $240.00 on line. :thdown:

I'll need to study this a bit more. :read:

Nix Besser

PHOTOS:

 

[SmokeyWren]

The popular choice for '95-up Ford diesel pickups with single rear wheels (SRW) is the Ford factory diff cover for 2008 - 2010 pickups. I'll bet it will fit the 2011s too. It's aluminum and costs about $100 including all the bolts and washers required. Ford part number FD-3Z4033A is the cover only and cost about $70 from Tousley Ford Parts (if they still have any).
Ford Sterling/Visteon Differential Cover at DieselManor

Call Diesel Manor and be sure they still have some to sell. If Ford can't get them, then Diesel Manor probably can't either.

 

[mmomega]

The one on my DRW is shiny silver ribbed aluminum but it's still clean too.

 

[lnfidel]

Go Mag Hytec. I have the Dana 80 model, and it doubles the fluid capacity and has magnets in the drain plug AND the dip stick. Also a1/8 NPT fitting port for temp sender.

If anyone wants my aluminum cover for Dana 80 (stock unit) it is $100.00 shipped anywhere on the continent.

 

[deliberate]

The Mag-Hytec cast unit might be a choice to replace the steel cover.
PROS: Looks to be very well engineered and made with drain plug, dip stick, increased fluid capacity and temp sensor capable.

Wow, that is *very* nice. Too bad I don't have a steel cover that I need to replace ...

Thanks for the link,
- Don

 

[king rancher 1]

mine's a f-250 with trailer pkg. heres pic and part # on casting

 

[Nix Besser]

mine's a f-250 with trailer pkg. heres pic and part # on casting

Thanks for the photos.

I talked to my :ford: dealer today, parts guy told me the "new" number for the AL cover was 8C3Z-4033-A, replaces number 8C34-4033-AA. Cost was $52.00 minus a discount. The time hassle and rear diff fluid cost more than that. So....... after a bit of pondering I decided to do the MAG-HYTEC cover. Reason is for the added benefits, drain plug and such, but mostly for the increase in fluid capacity. It is the most expensive, but the bennies are worth the extra coin.

Nuff Said,

Nix Besser

 

[Skysoldier65]

I replaced the rear differential cover on my 2006 with an aluminum 08 shortly after the 08 cover was available. I assumed my new 2011 would have the aluminum cover. I just went outside and looked - steel cover! If Ford engineers decided aluminum was better for cooling and replaced steel with aluminum in 08 why would they go back to steel? I am very disappointed. Does Ford intent to rectify this?

 

[Stsmark]

Remember that powder coating kills a large portion of the heat sink effect of the aluminum cover.

 

[Skysoldier65]

No powder coating.

The aluminum cover I purchased for my 06 from Ford was bare aluminum not powder coated. Different vendors I expect.

 

[HorseMan-AR]

Old thread here. Finally got around to installing a Mag-Hytec rear differential cover on my F350 SRW. Boy, it looks nice. I took my time and drained the old fluid (not so old, only 11k on my truck). The factory fill synthetic fluid looked very dark and dirty.

The new cover held 6 quarts of Mobil 1 75-140 synthetic fluid. I have the electronic locking rear differential, so I did not add friction modifier. I know there has been several posts about whether to add the friction modifier, but I did not and everything is working great. I can't believe how dirty the original fluid was after only 11,000 miles! I highly recommend the Mag-Hytec. Looks sharp and easy to maintain and check fluids.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

[SmokeyWren]

I have the electronic locking rear differential, so I did not add friction modifier.

Right. The 2011 workshop manual agrees with you. A "limited slip" rear axle is not available in 2011-up SRW SuperDuty pickups, so the LS additive is not mentioned in the section on the Ford-design 10.5" rear axle.

 

[SuperDutyF350]

Ford 12 Bolt 10.25 & 12 Bolt 10.5 OEM Aluminum Differential Cover [FOR8C3Z-4033-A] [FOR8C3Z-4033-A] : Storm Automotive Technologies, Your one stop auto shop

Factory cover comes with all need parts $79.95... Ordered this for my '06 and was perfect...