Installed the Ford Performance differential cover and made my diff skid fit.

[Sitruc_btb]

Got around to changing the diff fluids and transfer case fluid the other day. My FP rear diff cover came in so I installed that at work earlier. I've been running the Next Venture diff skid, and I notched some of the areas to make it fit correctly on the FP cover. Since I was changing gear oils, may as well add a cover with a drain bolt. Still have to remove the skid for a drain and fill, but no big deal.

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[CarGuy]

Got around to changing the diff fluids and transfer case fluid the other day. My FP rear diff cover came in so I installed that at work earlier. I've been running the Next Venture diff skid, and I notched some of the areas to make it fit correctly on the FP cover. Since I was changing gear oils, may as well add a cover with a drain bolt. Still have to remove the skid for a drain and fill, but no big deal.

Which gasket did you end up using - the reusable that was on the old cover or the new one that came with the FP cover?

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Which gasket did you end up using - the reusable that was on the old cover or the new one that came with the FP cover?

I used the original gasket from the old cover. I know there's a 12 page thread debating all of that, but it sounds like less of a hassle to just use the original rather than adding some liquid gasket along with the supplied gasket.

 

[CarGuy]

I used the original gasket from the old cover. I know there's a 12 page thread debating all of that, but it sounds like less of a hassle to just use the original rather than adding some liquid gasket along with the supplied gasket.

Did the supplied bolts look long enough with the reusable gasket? I have the FP cover and plan on installing it as soon as it warms up a bit. Thanks.

 

[Ducati1098]

Did the supplied bolts look long enough with the reusable gasket? I have the FP cover and plan on installing it as soon as it warms up a bit. Thanks.

They're perfectly fine. I used the supplied bolts with the factory reusable gasket. Probably 20k miles of beating the shit out of it and haven't had a single issue.

 

[CarGuy]

They're perfectly fine. I used the supplied bolts with the factory reusable gasket. Probably 20k miles of beating the shit out of it and haven't had a single issue.

Thank you.

 

[Beach_Bum]

Did the supplied bolts look long enough with the reusable gasket? I have the FP cover and plan on installing it as soon as it warms up a bit. Thanks.

As a point of reference, the bolts supplied with the FP cover are the same size that come with the factory cover. The OEM rubber gasket is almost the same size as the fiber gasket that comes with the FP cover. One might be able to measure in microns the slight difference.

Reusing the old bolts or the new bolts doesn't matter as they are the same. Using the OEM rubber gasket vs. the fiber gasket is a matter of convenience. The rubber can be reused. The issue of thread engagement on the mega-thread is making a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

Did the supplied bolts look long enough with the reusable gasket? I have the FP cover and plan on installing it as soon as it warms up a bit. Thanks.

Old bolts, new bolts, all the same size. The gaskets are real close in width, and the FP cover is a bit thicker, so sure we may lose a couple threads engagement, but like someone on that thread said, the differential isn't pressurized, and there's no load on the cover.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

Got around to changing the diff fluids and transfer case fluid the other day. My FP rear diff cover came in so I installed that at work earlier. I've been running the Next Venture diff skid, and I notched some of the areas to make it fit correctly on the FP cover. Since I was changing gear oils, may as well add a cover with a drain bolt. Still have to remove the skid for a drain and fill, but no big deal.

If the differential cover only had the Ford logo, without the lengthy "Ford Performance" wording, it would look sharp.

 

[Valhalla]

I thought going with a stronger diff cover (at least off highway) eliminated the need (and clearance reduction) of a diff skid?

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I thought going with a stronger diff cover (at least off highway) eliminated the need (and clearance reduction) of a diff skid?

Typically, I go with an aluminum diff cover (e.g. Mag Hytec) for added fluid capacity and enhanced heat dissipation. Oddly, the Bronco cover does not add fluid capacity.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

If the differential cover only had the Ford logo, without the lengthy "Ford Performance" wording, it would look sharp.

Yeah I'm not too fond of the bold logo. Wanted it more for the drain bolt.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

I thought going with a stronger diff cover (at least off highway) eliminated the need (and clearance reduction) of a diff skid?

Quite possibly, but the nvm skid protects the pinion as well. I took a chance, not sure if the two were compatible. After removing a bit of metal from the skid, it fits underneath the cover, so I'll roll with it.

 

[Valhalla]

cool

 

[Cormeister]

I’ve been back and forth on ordering this. I’d like it for the drain plug, and don’t mind it having the logos, though they do really stand out more than I prefer. Any reason this couldn’t be powder coated in matte black? Wasn’t sure if that would affect where the drain plugs insert.

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