Finally got around to putting my Mag-hytek cover on my dana 80. It stays cooler longer with the added 1 gallon of fluid in there. It cools down way faster than with the stock cooler. I went with Red Line 75w90 a quick $150 just to put a cover on lol. Here is a pic after a 100 mile drive on pretty flat freeway.

You might do a search for Gale Bank Diff Cover testing and watch all the videos. There is a bunch of info to at least listen to and look at.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gale+bank+testing+diff+covers&oq=gale+bank+testing+diff+covers

 

https://www.alligatorperformance.com/info/blog/post/banks-power-prototype-rear-diff-cover-video-and-pictures-inside

I have seen those not really buying it though.

3 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

You might do a search for Gale Bank Diff Cover testing and watch all the videos. There is a bunch of info to at least listen to and look at.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=gale+bank+testing+diff+covers&oq=gale+bank+testing+diff+covers

 

https://www.alligatorperformance.com/info/blog/post/banks-power-prototype-rear-diff-cover-video-and-pictures-inside

 

He is the last person I’d trust on findings.  He is marketing his own cover, and reportedly being sued in the process over the videos. 

 

Its been a really long time since they have been a reputable company. 

 

I ran a MH cover on my 05 and was pleased. With my 18 I’ll be adding the OE “Max Tow” cover at 15K miles. Not that I have anything against the MH, but the Ram/AAM engineers feel their cover is good to a GCWR if 39,100 so I feel confident sticking with that cover.

Edited April 9, 20196 yr by AH64ID

Looks good.

 

I was disappointed in the lack of covers for the dana 80. 

I've bought this cover for a dana 35 and Chrysler 8.25. These are beef probly dont fo much for cooling though.

 

Dana60/70 share the same cover. 

I'll be putting one on my front 60 but it's not high on priority. Maybe when I upgrade steering I'll mount a stabalizer ti the cover. Though maybe I'll just not run a stabalizer st all.

 

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ruffstuff&Product_Code=D6070COV&Category_Code=diffcovers

Edited April 9, 20196 yr by Evan

I would like to put one on my front end more to make fluid changes easy but I plan to upgrade the steering and have heard of a lot of complications with the Mytek in the front making contact so I will wait until the front end is all done and look at all brands when I have measurements in hand.

You can order the ruff stuff cover with or without drain plug.

I prefer them with out drain plugs in case a rock kisses it there. It's pretty easy to take cover off for servicing and inspecting.  Look into the lube locker diff cover gaskets.

This is my 8.25 jeep axle I've been building.

Let me mention one thing here. If you need diff covers for ditching the heat in the fluid you might look at what is causing the heat. When there is inefficiency somewhere getting the power to the ground the object will create a huge amount of heat. When your reducing drag and inefficiency, you will reduce the amount of heat produced by the device. Then there is also a requirement for lubricants to gain a certain amount of heat for optimal running also so the fluid can vaporize any moisture. 

 

Just something to think about. 

On 4/9/2019 at 6:41 AM, Mopar1973Man said:

Let me mention one thing here. If you need diff covers for ditching the heat in the fluid you might look at what is causing the heat. When there is inefficiency somewhere getting the power to the ground the object will create a huge amount of heat. When your reducing drag and inefficiency, you will reduce the amount of heat produced by the device. Then there is also a requirement for lubricants to gain a certain amount of heat for optimal running also so the fluid can vaporize any moisture. 

 

Just something to think about. 

Exactly what I was thinking. If there is excessive heat there is more than likely a problem causing friction like bearing preload or similar. Manufacturers of differentials (3rd members) like Dana, Eaton, Meritor, etc... have a whole lot more engineering in proper lubrication of the products they manufacture than any aftermarket company could ever have.

 

The aftermarket aluminum differential covers do look purdy but I don't spend enough time under the truck to truly appreciate looking at it and I am very doubtful there is any mechanical benefits of the aftermarket differential covers.

 

In other words I think aftermarket aluminum differential covers are R.I.C.E. (Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancements) like the Honda Civic with the park bench spoiler on the trunk that gives the 4 banger 50 horsepower more or the 8" fart cannon gives the 4 banger 100 horsepower more. 

 

With all the trailer towing and mileage I put down I've never had a differential issue as of yet as I head towards 400k miles. I really doubt that a simple cover is going to impact the temperature much. If there are already issues that is creating excessive heat like most add the big tires, oversized wheels, and lift kit adding wind drag that put more leverage load on the gears and differentials. When someone like myself that went down in tire size and reduced the amount of differential loading. Naturally, my differential temperatures are much lower without the fancy aluminum cover. 

 

I see the cover being a bandaid to a bigger problem like oversized tires on 3.55 gear which will increase differential temperatures. Fix the inefficiencies and temperatures will naturally fall without any fancy coolers and covers. The rise in temperatures is a sign of wasted energy resulting in generating heat. 

Edited April 10, 20196 yr by Mopar1973Man

More torque means more friction, which means more heat. 

 

The vast majority of folks will not have a temperature issue. 

 

Several OEM's are adding finned covers on some of their models, and they wouldn't do that for fun. 

Being that I typically run at 15 to 19% engine load less torque and cooler fluids. My engine idles at 11 to 12% very low torque required. Thus why my transmission struggles to rise to 130°F.

52 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Being that I typically run at 15 to 19% engine load less torque and cooler fluids. My engine idles at 11 to 12% very low torque required. Thus why my transmission struggles to rise to 130°F.

 

Not really relevant what happens when empty. 

 

Coolers aren't needed when empty, they are needed at high GCW's.

 

You don't even need a Dana 80 for most the driving you're doing these days. A D44 would do just fine, and take less fuel too. 

Every tow my RV barely seen 130°F in transmission temp. Engine load on flat ground is reduced from the past to 25%. Really reduced temperatures all the way around with 30 inch tires. 

I have a temperature gauge mounted in my dash for monitoring both my manual transmission and rear differential.  I ran a thermocouple on my stock Dana 80 cover and then a year or so later on my Mag-Hytec differential cover.  I towed heavy during the winter and triple digit summer heat, and my findings were more than enough to let me know that I made the right choice by putting a Mag-Hytec differential cover on my truck.  Gale Banks and his BS marketing video's can shove it...

3 hours ago, AH64ID said:

Several OEM's are adding finned covers on some of their models, and they wouldn't do that for fun. 

So that's why the rear differential has failed twice in my in-laws 2015 Jeep Cherokee. It's a Trailhawk model pavement queen and has had 2 catastrophic rear differential failures in 40,000 miles. Needless to say my family has lost faith in FCA products and the in-laws are looking at trading the Jeep in on a Honda.

1 hour ago, KATOOM said:

I have a temperature gauge mounted in my dash for monitoring both my manual transmission and rear differential.  I ran a thermocouple on my stock Dana 80 cover and then a year or so later on my Mag-Hytec differential cover.  I towed heavy during the winter and triple digit summer heat, and my findings were more than enough to let me know that I made the right choice by putting a Mag-Hytec differential cover on my truck.  Gale Banks and his BS marketing video's can shove it...

 

The next thing I will install is that dual gauge to read my nv4500 and the rearend so instead of these manual flir pictures I can see things like me towing is 5th vs. 4th over certain parts of the freeway. I like that plastic cover you have Katoom I found the gauge at Genos but I don't see the cover listed for the dash cubby hole?

I believe this is what you're looking for.  But just to be sure, I'd call Genos.  https://www.genosgarage.com/product/gm-dg-01face-9902/gauge-mounts2

The description of the gauge spoke of it but wasn't real clear Thanks I just ordered them.

15 hours ago, 04Mach1 said:

So that's why the rear differential has failed twice in my in-laws 2015 Jeep Cherokee. It's a Trailhawk model pavement queen and has had 2 catastrophic rear differential failures in 40,000 miles. Needless to say my family has lost faith in FCA products and the in-laws are looking at trading the Jeep in on a Honda.

Had a Cherokee with low miles like 60s and that pile of .... both front and rear axles were making noise, I sold it and told new owner about it, he was a gear head and didn't care, what a pile that was and a gas hog

Also had a bad rearend in a cherokee bought another Cherokee  for about $300 switched it over and at the time in California turned it in for more than that for smog refund