Super interested as well.

At 50,000 miles I have already changed the rear diff, trans and transfer case and this is the only one I have left to do.

 

Can you remove the front diff cover without having to remove anything else? Hope so. I'd like to replace the cover with one with a drain plug too. Hey, is the front diff cover the same with 8.8 than 9.75 rear differential? My truck as the 9.75 (3.55s). Wonder if the front is the same as an 8.8 truck.

 

You can get it off without removing the steering rack, but it's not easy. As far as I know there are no aftermarket covers that aren't just stamped steel pans like oem, but according to the two posts above, it may be the same pattern as the non-super 8.8. I'll look into that, although it would probably be easier and faster to drill and tap the case. Typically takes me 5-10 minutes, minus time to let the oil drain.

 

Here is that thread of the guy that put on a B&M 8.8. Fitment is tight, and a lift is needed. He goes in to pretty good detail on his setup. I'm wondering about using one of the Spicer nodular iron covers. They seem to be a lot shorter for fitment and still have drain/fill plugs.

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/after...-drain-385171/


https://www.drivetrainamerica.com/10...RoCcdwQAvD_BwE

 

Thanks for the links! I, too would like to put on a Spicer cover, but moving the rack would be a pain. I don't drive the truck like it's a Raptor, so I can't imagine generating enough heat or stress for the benefits of the Spicer cover coming into play.

Yes. I've done this with four transmissions and only had one failure....


...that one was tapped at 60,000 miles, died at 250,000. You drill slow with low pressure as you reach the inner wall to create small chips. They will get washed out by the fluid. Once drained, run the tap only until the cutting edges reach the inner wall, remove and clean. Re-insert and tap one additional turn, remove and clean, do this until done, then put a quart of fluid in without the plug inserted. I use the fluid that was in the transmission for the wash, after filtering.

For the diff, after tapping, since diff oil is a bit thicker, I'll insert a tube and slowly spray in brake cleaner (so it doesn't get on the seals). Flush with filtered oil, cycle air through the diff, let sit to evaporate. Cycle air again, plug, refill.

 

Let me know if the Spicer cover works! I have that on my rear diff.

 

I just got the one for the 9.75 rear, but haven't installed it yet. I'm hoping to get a job down in the Carolinas soon and get a yard with some acreage, so I might be doing a lot more 4WD and will definitely try out the front 8.8. I'll definitely post up pics and results!

 

I'm glad my effort to document the install didn't go to waste

 

There he is, and absolutely not! It's good info! Curious, were you tagged automatically? I don't see anyplace to do that.

 

Do you think the spicer cover will fit in a stock application fit? It is not much, if any, larger than the stock cover, but it is stronger and has a plug!!!