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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!!!
Really can't say for sure. Not much extra room between the front differential cover and EPAS unit.
Ever thought of buying a new cover from Ford and installing a plug on that, then you could swap them out and still have a good one if it doesn’t work out. When I used to work at at dealerships parts department they were fairly inexpensive.
Ever thought of buying a new cover from Ford and installing a plug on that, then you could swap them out and still have a good one if it doesn’t work out. When I used to work at at dealerships parts department they were fairly inexpensive.
I have never drilled and tapped the OEM differential cover before. Is it thick enough to allow for a tapped hole without the risk of stripping out the threads?
I have never drilled and tapped the OEM differential cover before. Is it thick enough to allow for a tapped hole without the risk of stripping out the threads?
That I’m not sure of, been out of the business for 10 years now. Maybe a little plate welded inside for the thickness for the threads.
I have never drilled and tapped the OEM differential cover before. Is it thick enough to allow for a tapped hole without the risk of stripping out the threads?
No, it is not. A bung would have to be welded to the OEM cover
O.K. I'll be the guinea pig. Drill a 7/16 hole in the boss in the lower passengers side boss and tap 1/4-18 NPT. If I were to do it again I would start on the centre of the boss and angle the hole 5 degrees toward the front. I went straight in and the hole breaks out at the front/top first making it a little difficult to complete the hole with a hand held drill. There is a thick enough wall section to guide the drill so if you're **** and want to go straight in it can be done.. If I was a top mechanic, I'm not. I would remove the cover and ensure all of the machining swarf was removed. I didn't. I put a plastic plug with a hole in it in the fill port and periodically added more oil then applied compressed air to the fill port which carried the chips out. You will find that this also scours additional oil from the case beyond the amount that will drain by gravity. Good luck. This was done on my 2013 F-150. If you screw it up I am not at fault. See the attached photos. Bob
Last edited by Bob Turnbull; Aug 11, 2020 at 08:40 AM.
Since this thread I installed a rear Spicer cover, cost me $126, is the same as the Raptor cover but the plate says Spicer instead of Ford.
Thick and damn heavy. The stamped steel covers are flimsy in comparison, even though they have some heft and seem up to the task.
Took a bit of care and three bolts to get the re-useable gasket to stay put while lining up the cover. Doing the front will require removal of the rack with those heavy, flexy gaskets. The effort required to install install an aftermarket cover Vs a plug, I no longer see the value if not working the truck at competition levels.
