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I’m sitting at 41k miles on the "new-to-me" 2007 4.6 2wd SCAB (grabbed it at 37k, likely driven by a grandma who only used it to haul prize-winning petunias). I’m making my maintenance checklist and the rear diff service is staring me down.
Naturally, because I’m lazy and hate getting hit in the face with a "forbidden chocolate milk" shower every time I change the fluid, I want a cover with a drain plug so future me will thank current me.
I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole on that Banks fella...you know the one. He’s basically the Gordon Ramsay of gear oil, yelling about how the best covers need those fancy interior "guiding fins" to direct the flow (see Photo 1 for the high-end stuff I can't afford). Problem is, that cover costs more than my monthly grocery bill. My budget is firmly in the "Under $100 I hate for this truck to get the same cattitude like my cat - I am a peasant who exists to serve his fuzzy majesty.
So, I’m cruising Amazon at 1 AM and found this unit (Photo 2). It’s got fins! But... they only go up and down, none on either side-to-side action. It’s basically the "we have Banks at home" version.
My burning question for the Council of Wise Truck Guys: Are these basic vertical fins actually doing anything? Is "some fin" better than "no fin" (looking at you, Boring Stock Cover)? Or am I just buying a $80 paperweight that happens to hold oil?
Seeking your wise counsel before I buy this thing and find out the only thing it "directs" is money out of my wallet.
Roast me or toast me but here goes ...are all Ford 8.8 covers the same parts numbers or there's different types of 8.8 differentials and thus, covers?
The Banks $$$ thingy
My budget type...
Interior, up down fins only, no side action fins on
if those oil slinging fins were needed, Ford would have built their covers that way, I just wish Ford had put a drain plug in the OEM cover and we would not be having this conversation. Not sure about the 8.8 question. Good luck with your new cover of choice. Nice find btw on that low mileage gem.
I’m sitting at 41k miles on the "new-to-me" 2007 4.6 2wd SCAB (grabbed it at 37k, likely driven by a grandma who only used it to haul prize-winning petunias). I’m making my maintenance checklist and the rear diff service is staring me down.
Naturally, because I’m lazy and hate getting hit in the face with a "forbidden chocolate milk" shower every time I change the fluid, I want a cover with a drain plug so future me will thank current me.
I fell down the YouTube rabbit hole on that Banks fella...you know the one. He’s basically the Gordon Ramsay of gear oil, yelling about how the best covers need those fancy interior "guiding fins" to direct the flow (see Photo 1 for the high-end stuff I can't afford). Problem is, that cover costs more than my monthly grocery bill. My budget is firmly in the "Under $100 I hate for this truck to get the same cattitude like my cat - I am a peasant who exists to serve his fuzzy majesty.
So, I’m cruising Amazon at 1 AM and found this unit (Photo 2). It’s got fins! But... they only go up and down, none on either side-to-side action. It’s basically the "we have Banks at home" version.
My burning question for the Council of Wise Truck Guys: Are these basic vertical fins actually doing anything? Is "some fin" better than "no fin" (looking at you, Boring Stock Cover)? Or am I just buying a $80 paperweight that happens to hold oil?
Seeking your wise counsel before I buy this thing and find out the only thing it "directs" is money out of my wallet.
Roast me or toast me but here goes ...are all Ford 8.8 covers the same parts numbers or there's different types of 8.8 differentials and thus, covers?
The Banks $$$ thingy
My budget type...
Interior, up down fins only, no side action fins on Amazon, and all over eBay.
Exterior fins
no need for new cover or to get splashed in face draining fluid
watch and follow fordtechmakeuloco video on servicing rear diff.
I wanted a Banks diff cover for my 2004 F150 Lariat with the 9.75, and d-bag Banks doesn't offer one. They also didn't offer one for the 8.8.
Banks likes to talk a lot of crap, but then he doesn't offer much for the 2004-2008 F150.
X2 on watching Fordtechmakuloco video. When I did the rear service on my 05 F150 RCSB 2WD I put a large drain pan under the rear center section. Then I loosened all the bolts first, then removed the lower bolts & with a gasket scraper or a putty knife pry the cover loose so the fluid would drain. Once the fluid stopped then I removed the cover. No splash, no mess. IMHO there is no need for a different rear cover, the factory cover works fine. BTW Banks does not have one for an 04-08 F150.
The most important takeaway of the banks research is that you want a cover shaped like the original, not a square extended volume one as that just foams up the fluid.
That said, how often are you really changing diff fluid?
I would like one with a drain plug but decided to just get a lube locker gasket and spend and extra few minutes once every 5 years or so.
The most important takeaway of the banks research is that you want a cover shaped like the original, not a square extended volume one as that just foams up the fluid.
That said, how often are you really changing diff fluid?
I would like one with a drain plug but decided to just get a lube locker gasket and spend and extra few minutes once every 5 years or so.
i’ll be curious to hear how it goes on second use (after fluid change) with the LL. i was considering buying one, but was surprised when LL advised that it is (according to them) a single use gasket. interestingly, all/most of their 3rd party marketing seems to claim otherwise.
The most important takeaway of the banks research is that you want a cover shaped like the original, not a square extended volume one as that just foams up the fluid.
That said, how often are you really changing diff fluid?
I would like one with a drain plug but decided to just get a lube locker gasket and spend and extra few minutes once every 5 years or so.
Spot on. You just saved me about a cool hundred bucks and a potential foaming headache. Keeping the OEM shape and grabbing a Lube Locker is definitely the smarter, 'set it and forget it' move, for another 5 years. Thanks for the reality check!
2007 Scabby in need of diff. service
