Ford Performance Diff Cover

[Infotroll]

Had one of these on my old tow rig . Has any one put this one on , this is much nicer making drain and fill quick

GOOD video

Sponsored

 

[dhrandy]

Had one of these on my old tow rig . Has any one put this one on , this is much nicer making drain and fill quick

GOOD video

Looks like a great idea. Looks liker there are 3 different rear diffs, 2 9.75 and 8.8. You have to have the max payload package or heavy towing to get the floating 9.75. Not sure how to tell which you have.

 

[Doyouevenboost]

Looks like a great idea. Remember there are 2 different rear diffs, 9.75 and 8.8. You have to have the max payload package to get the 9.75. It's only available on packages below Lariat. Just Googling the 8.8 I couldn't find it anywhere.

Lol explain my 9.75 lariat?

 

[dhrandy]

Lol explain my 9.75 lariat?

I was just going by the brochure. It seems there are 2 different 9.75. One has a floating axle. So I'm not sure which packages get which. Other than if you have the 3.73 gears you get 9.75.

HD frame and 9.75 rear end w/ 3.73 gears | F150gen14.com -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Lightning EV, Raptor Forum (14th Gen)

Super 8.8" vs 9.75" Which Ratios Get You A 9.75" - Ford F150 Forum - Community of Ford Truck Fans

 

[Infotroll]

Another ford screw up ? in your benefit

 

[dhrandy]

I assume how you tell is the same as the previous generation. Here's an article that list how to tell the difference. I'll summarize it.

9.75 - tapers on one side.

8.8 - like a rounded off hexagon without a noticeable taper toward either end

Before you Buy: How to Identify your 2015-2020 Rear End! (stage3motorsports.com)

 

[Infotroll]

I assume how you tell is the same as the previous generation. Here's an article that list how to tell the difference. I'll summarize it.

9.75 - tapers on one side.

8.8 - like a rounded off hexagon without a noticeable taper toward either end

Before you Buy: How to Identify your 2015-2020 Rear End! (stage3motorsports.com)

Yep you got right it helps with long heavy tows

 

[Pedaldude]

Any truck with 3.73 gears gets the 9.75" rear, even in the prior gen. and possibly farther back than that.

MaxTow gets the 3/4 Floating 9.75" rear, which has thicker axle tubes and a different bearing arrangement, in addition to larger diameter rear brakes that prevent 17" wheels from being mounted.

Spicer makes the Ford Performance differential cover and it's around $100 less than the Ford depending on the vendor.

If you were looking to use your Fordpass points, I would recommend either using them on something with less of a price differential, or try to negotiate a lower price with your parts guy.

Unless either you plan on doing lots of extremely heavy towing, or keeping the truck a very long time, or paying someone else to do your differential service, it really doesn't take that long to pop the cover and reinstall it. Though it's definitely more convenient to have the drain!

That being said, Ford doesn't even have a recommendation for the diff fluid in the manual, even under extreme conditions. The only time that they recommend it be changed is if there's a leak, or the axle has been fully submerged in water.

Ford's interactive maintenance tool only recommends the gear oil be changed at 150K miles, even if you select dusty conditions or towing:

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/maintenance/maintenance-schedule.html

Ford uses excellent quality gear oil in their differentials, I changed mine in my 2001 Lincoln Navigator two years ago at 55K miles, expecting it to at least look used. However, it came out looking just as clean as the new stuff!

On YouTube, Fordtechmakuloco's channel recommends 30K miles for extreme service and 60K miles for normal use, he's pretty conservative in his recommendations; so changing the fluid before that is pretty much a waste of money.



Granted, I would much rather change fluids while they still look good than when it's old and nasty looking. Which if you watch his channel, is what happens when you follow Ford's recommendation. For myself, I would split the difference and maybe change it around 90K miles and maybe 60K if only towing or hauling heavy loads.

So even then, you might change the fluid once while you own the truck and it won't help to have the drain plug, since it's a little silly to drain the fluid and install the differential cover before you actually need to do it.

One of the things that you can do when dropping the diff cover is wiping out the oil and goop that collects in the sump that is below the cover, let alone a cover with drain plug.

 

[Infotroll]

Any truck with 3.73 gears gets the 9.75" rear, even in the prior gen. and possibly farther back than that.

MaxTow gets the 3/4 Floating 9.75" rear, which has thicker axle tubes and a different bearing arrangement, in addition to larger diameter rear brakes that prevent 17" wheels from being mounted.

Spicer makes the Ford Performance differential cover and it's around $100 less than the Ford depending on the vendor.

If you were looking to use your Fordpass points, I would recommend either using them on something with less of a price differential, or try to negotiate a lower price with your parts guy.

Unless either you plan on doing lots of extremely heavy towing, or keeping the truck a very long time, or paying someone else to do your differential service, it really doesn't take that long to pop the cover and reinstall it. Though it's definitely more convenient to have the drain!

That being said, Ford doesn't even have a recommendation for the diff fluid in the manual, even under extreme conditions. The only time that they recommend it be changed is if there's a leak, or the axle has been fully submerged in water.

Ford's interactive maintenance tool only recommends the gear oil be changed at 150K miles, even if you select dusty conditions or towing:

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/maintenance/maintenance-schedule.html

Ford uses excellent quality gear oil in their differentials, I changed mine in my 2001 Lincoln Navigator two years ago at 55K miles, expecting it to at least look used. However, it came out looking just as clean as the new stuff!

On YouTube, Fordtechmakuloco's channel recommends 30K miles for extreme service and 60K miles for normal use, he's pretty conservative in his recommendations; so changing the fluid before that is pretty much a waste of money.



Granted, I would much rather change fluids while they still look good than when it's old and nasty looking. Which if you watch his channel, is what happens when you follow Ford's recommendation. For myself, I would split the difference and maybe change it around 90K miles and maybe 60K if only towing or hauling heavy loads.

So even then, you might change the fluid once while you own the truck and it won't help to have the drain plug, since it's a little silly to drain the fluid and install the differential cover before you actually need to do it.

One of the things that you can do when dropping the diff cover is wiping out the oil and goop that collects in the sump that is below the cover, let alone a cover with drain plug.

Thanks for the links you are correct in the submersion part . My off road truck would get pumpkin draining about 4 times a year (miss that truck) because of the water crossing. I did wipe the bottom of the sump off never a lot of shavings .This cover helps because of the top fill plug if your truck is lifted. I also agree with you about no big need to change the fluid often. On the tow rig I would not pull the cover after I put the aftermarket one in place. I would use a fluid vacuum to drain it. Yes lazy on my part put seeing one of my buddies do it this was with his truck for years with no issues and he towed 15-20 lbs as his norm from Florida to Alaska for 10 years before I got my truck. All anecdotal findings on my part I will grant you. I would change the diff ,radiator fluid transmission etc one a year. Thirty thousand miles is conservative but I would give a little push back to ford and others on these high miles fluid changes. To them this are points of failure and to the consumer they are costly repairs. Where they will not take the blame for fluid failure.


To make sure I get this little nugget of info right (Any truck with 3.73 gears gets the 9.75" rear)
but can have 3.55 gears and have the 9.75 as long as you have the Max tow package correct ?

OO btw the other reason to get it just looks cool

 

[Babbage]

I have 3.55's e Locker with tow package (not max) and have the 9.75 rear end. I got FRPP Cover. it's 12 pounds of iron vs the thin stamped steel and will absorb a lot more heat. Also if you manage to backup and hit something the iron is way more durable. I changed mine rear cover and oil (used AMSOIL 75-110) out with about 2k miles, there was a very fine black particulate in the pumpkin. Use blue shop towels to wipe out inside the pumpkin. When gears first break in from the factory there is acids and metal that get released from the gear set. I was not going to leave it in... Cover also has magnet drain plug to keep the metal out of the oil/gears. If you are going to do it get the LUBE LOCKER gasket! Really nice and they do not leak.

More durable, absorbs more heat, has magnet, makes change easy, wont rust like cheap stamped steel. No way I was going to wear 'dirty underwear' for the first 80k miles of life.

My picture I took!

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Spicer also makes an 8.8 cover with drain plug that appears just as heavy duty.

 

[Babbage]

Spicer also makes an 8.8 cover with drain plug that appears just as heavy duty.

Yes, that is actual one that the one that Ford Racing uses - Spicer makes it for FRPP, only the power coat paint and logo is different! Yes I know it was about $100 more - but I wanted the Ford logo with the 'better' power coat. Both of these are great covers - would recommend

 

[amschind]

Highly recommend. I paid to have mine installed because of the structural spare tire bumper/frame member right in front of it. A lift and a buddy make the job about 10x easier than laying on your back trying to avoid messing up the wet gasket maker. You certainly could achieve it alone if sufficiently motivated. I did the front diff cover on my old Exploder a long time ago and had zero desire to repeat that episode. I'm ashamed to say that I pulled the cover to replace the gear oil and reinstalled the same drain plug free cover 5 minutes later. Learn from my brain farts.

My philosophy is that fluids are very cheap in the long run compared to even one major drivetrain repair.

 

[Babbage]

Highly recommend. I paid to have mine installed because of the structural spare tire bumper/frame member right in front of it. A lift and a buddy make the job about 10x easier than laying on your back trying to avoid messing up the wet gasket maker. You certainly could achieve it alone if sufficiently motivated. I did the front diff cover on my old Exploder a long time ago and had zero desire to repeat that episode. I'm ashamed to say that I pulled the cover to replace the gear oil and reinstalled the same drain plug free cover 5 minutes later. Learn from my brain farts.

My philosophy is that fluids are very cheap in the long run compared to even one major drivetrain repair.

If you are going to do this - again I recommend the Lube Locker gasket - NO RTV, no mess. Did on the ground in my garage on cardboard, no lift, plenty of room. 30 minutes, and I took my time and wiped out the pumpkin.. Make sure to clean off all old gasket and RTV so the mating surface is shiny clean.

 

[nkyhunter]

thought about installing this one

AFE F-150 Pro Series Rear Differential Cover with Machined Fins and 75w-90 Gear Oil; Black; Ford 9.75 Rear Axles 46-70152-WL (97-23 F-150, Excluding Lightning) - Free Shipping (americantrucks.com)

Sponsored