Photos of 05 aluminum diff cover install

[gr8titan]

Couldn't wait for the brake bracket so I fabricated one and installed the 05 finned aluminum diff cover. Pics of the install and some comparative shots of the bolt and cover sizes:

[GETSOMZ28]

Is there an increase in fluid capacity with the aluminum cover?

[Squid]

You didn't by chance take a picture of the the gears?

[gr8titan]

Series of photos of the 05 pumpkin install
Gear shots for Squid!!

[Squid]

Originally Posted by gr8titan

Seiries of photos of the 05 pumpkin install

Your the man!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks bud.

[gr8titan]

More photos of the 05 aluminum diff cover install. Looking at the internal volume, there is not much difference that can be eyeballed but the parts guy says that the 05 fill capacity is 2 1/8 qt if that means anything as I do not know offhand the 04 fill capacity. But talking about size. look at above photos and compare the thickness of the 2 pumpkins. There is a massive difference.

[Quad T]

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

Is there an increase in fluid capacity with the aluminum cover?

I keep wondering the same thing, sure looks like it does...

[smoketitan]

gr8 you are simply badass bro

cant wait to get mine---suupposedly on friday

howlong di the install take??

and did yours not come wiht the support brace you had to fabricate??

adn what synthetic oil did you use?

[Squid]

The Manual says the 04 holds 3-3/4 pints or a 1/4 pint shy of 2 quarts.

[krh2]

Great documentation! Appreciate it. Now if the rest of us could get our covers.

[hunka27]

whats the point of this mod? what are the benefits? thanks

[dooboy2112]

Originally Posted by hunka27

whats the point of this mod? what are the benefits? thanks

Better cooling for the rear end.

[gr8titan]

Originally Posted by hunka27

whats the point of this mod? what are the benefits? thanks

Dooboy2112 is correct.
This differential cover design has external fins going vertical. These fins are there for this cooling process:

The thick aluminum cover absorbs the heat from the oil then transfers the absorbed heat by the process of conduction to the fins. The fins which are externally located, in turn, is cooled by the sorrounding atmospheric air thereby this process provides a continuous cycle of heat loss/cooling effect to the gear oil.

So why is it so important to have cooler gear oil? Heat destroys the lubricating quality of oil. These pictures can paint a thousand words and my Titan has only 5K miles:

[gr8titan]

Originally Posted by smoketitan

gr8 you are simply badass bro

cant wait to get mine---suupposedly on friday

howlong di the install take??

and did yours not come wiht the support brace you had to fabricate??

adn what synthetic oil did you use?

Smoke,
The $5 bracket has been on back order for more than 4 weeks. I have everything else so I figured I could install the pumpkin now while the weather is OK then install the OEM bracket when it arrives. I just won't be held hostage with this backorder BS. Including the fabrication, it took me less than an hour because I had to make sure that the areas to be gasketed are CLEAN! Used Nissan synthetic 75-140 gear oil and with the truck's rear on a ramp, it took 2 quarts plus 1/4 from the third quart before it started to fill over. Assuming that the Nissan mechanic that told me 2+1/8 qt is almost correct and that the 04 capacity is 1+3/4 qt, then there is an increase of almost 1/2 quart based on my 2+1/4 qt fill (with my Titan's rear tires on a ramp)

This is also good news because more oil capacity means greater cooling efficiency.

[juma]

I guess, no magnet in either of the covers to grab grit and metal stuff. to bad. they shoulda put one in it.

juma