Hi All -

Just got my 08 SRT8.....now has 160 miles on it. It arrived this past Friday evening.

Like many of you, I took a look at the rear end diff cover and it looks like two guys in some basement in Jersey put it together (nothing against Jersey, lol).

It arrived rusted and the slop that they used to seal it up is one of the poorist jobs I've ever seen.

A few questions.....I have a TA Performance rear diff cover on my Chevelle and their products are VERY well made.

It appears that they might have a cover for our trucks.

Does anyone know if this will work (refer to model TA1814, the Dana 44 cover). Sure looks close.

http://www.taperformance.com/dana.htm

Also, what to use to refill the diff once drained?

Thanks,
Mark

Dana 44a. It's aluminum if I'm not mistaken... better off going to an autoparts store and getting "POR = Paint Over Rust" or similar product - worked well for me.

While you're back there, just take the rear end out and replace it with something decent. The axels are seriously underbuilt for this truck.

If your stock cover is aluminum, take it to a machine shop and have them polish it, then paint over it with clearcoat, thats what I'd do.

Hi All -

Just got my 08 SRT8.....now has 160 miles on it. It arrived this past Friday evening.

Like many of you, I took a look at the rear end diff cover and it looks like two guys in some basement in Jersey put it together (nothing against Jersey, lol).

It arrived rusted and the slop that they used to seal it up is one of the poorist jobs I've ever seen.

A few questions.....I have a TA Performance rear diff cover on my Chevelle and their products are VERY well made.

It appears that they might have a cover for our trucks.

Does anyone know if this will work (refer to model TA1814, the Dana 44 cover). Sure looks close.

http://www.taperformance.com/dana.htm

Also, what to use to refill the diff once drained?

Thanks,
Mark

The rust is pretty common on these rigs. However, I just had mine powder coated and I upgraded to royal purple at Bwoody Performance. You may want to give them a call.

Wow - interesting. I was also going for added fluid and load bolts to support the bearing caps.

Anyone know what fluid and/or additives to correctly refill??

Thanks.

The rust is pretty common on these rigs. However, I just had mine powder coated and I upgraded to royal purple at Bwoody Performance. You may want to give them a call.

Notice any difference in shifting or tranny whine noise after switching..Hurry up and post them pic'shttp://www.mdstreetscene.com/forum/images/smilies/2/Without_pics.gif

I prefer Mobil 1, that's what I used!...A search will provide many suggestions...This is one of the first things I did!

GC

Notice any difference in shifting or tranny whine noise after switching..Hurry up and post them pic'shttp://www.mdstreetscene.com/forum/images/smilies/2/Without_pics.gif

I know I need to get the pics up soon. No difference in noise although the fluid was really low.

What color did you opt for?

What color did you opt for?

Gloss Black.

I might have to look into this further,you got me thinking jeff

I might have to look into this further,you got me thinking jeff

It is like night and day difference. I am glad I had it done.

I prefer Mobil 1, that's what I used!...A search will provide many suggestions...This is one of the first things I did!

GC
Hey GC,
I am looking at switching the (PAINTED) 9" Ford to Royal Purple now that it is broken in.
You prefer Mobil 1????
Bill

I've decided to try and go for this. If anyone is interested in the results, let me know and I'll post some pics and instructions. Sorry, the the stock steel cover is crap. Ordering today.

-Mark


http://www.taperformance.com/dana.htm
Model TA1814

Hey!!!

I've used Mag-Hytec in many vehicles. They make an awesome product and been thinking of putting one on my Jeep. It holds more, draining & refilling is a snap with this cover. www.mag-hytec.com

Paul:cool:

Hey!!!

I've used Mag-Hytec in many vehicles. They make an awesome product and been thinking of putting one on my Jeep. It holds more, draining & refilling is a snap with this cover. www.mag-hytec.com

Paul:cool:


Yes Paul - no question, that is a high quality product and IMO, is superior to the TA Performance cover. I'm impressed that they use stainless bolts, as it should be. I tried to get stainless with the TA cover - no go, which I didn't understand. Also, when I called TA (and I'm also a repeat customer as I have one installed on my 12 bolt in my Chevelle), they were not overly nice and I had to push to get some tech questions answered. However, the TA covers do have load bearing support bolts, which does help.
The Mag-Hytec, no question, would look better on the Jeep - especially on a black one. ;)
There is a price difference....$159.00 vs $235.00 for the Mag.
Those transmission pans also look VERY cool...(no pun).

use full syn 75-140 no need for any adders either. we use royal purple and have nothing but great results. mobil1 is also good

use full syn 75-140 no need for any adders either. we use royal purple and have nothing but great results. mobil1 is also good

Mobil 1 is great as well as Royal Purple. You will not feel a difference, but the gears will run much cooler and smoother. I run Mobil 1 in my XJ with lockers and 4.56 gears. It actually quieted the gear noise and made the locker much smoother.

Yes, Royal Purple it is.......any thoughts if I should wait or go ahead and change the fluid out now with ~300 miles?

Yes, Royal Purple it is.......any thoughts if I should wait or go ahead and change the fluid out now with ~300 miles?

The more you change your fluids the better. It's up to you. Personally, I think it's cheep insurance.

The more you change your fluids the better. It's up to you. Personally, I think it's cheep insurance.

Totally agree.....thanks!

What about the front?? Thought or suggestions?

Thanks again!

Totally agree.....thanks!

What about the front?? Thought or suggestions?

Thanks again!

Personally, I would say the same holds true to the front and the transfer case. It's a small investment for the longevity of the parts.

Personally, I would say the same holds true to the front and the transfer case. It's a small investment for the longevity of the parts.

Thanks again Darrin - words to live by.

-Mark

Yes Paul - no question, that is a high quality product and IMO, is superior to the TA Performance cover. I'm impressed that they use stainless bolts, as it should be. I tried to get stainless with the TA cover - no go, which I didn't understand. Also, when I called TA (and I'm also a repeat customer as I have one installed on my 12 bolt in my Chevelle), they were not overly nice and I had to push to get some tech questions answered. However, the TA covers do have load bearing support bolts, which does help.
The Mag-Hytec, no question, would look better on the Jeep - especially on a black one. ;)
There is a price difference....$159.00 vs $235.00 for the Mag.
Those transmission pans also look VERY cool...(no pun).

I don't know if you're aware of the other options...

ARB ... I'm not crazy about the red, it appears it can add torsional strength (their claim) to the rear housing. Not sure if it would achieve the desired outcome.. it does have some nice features. Watch the video... bottom of page.

http://arb.com.au/arb-differential-cover.php

I don't know if you're aware of the other options...

ARB ... I'm not crazy about the red, it appears it can add torsional strength (their claim) to the rear housing. Not sure if it would achieve the desired outcome.. it does have some nice features. Watch the video... bottom of page.

http://arb.com.au/arb-differential-cover.php

Unfortunately, we don't have a standard Dana 44. I don't think there is anything made to date to fit our application.

Unfortunately, we don't have a standard Dana 44. I don't think there is anything made to date to fit our application.

Yea, I'm not sure if its the same housing or not .. I searched and couldn't find any data or pics of the rear bolt pattern or shape -- someone needs to do some leg work and compare the two without spending a bunch of money.

It appeared FDNY-L107 had a solution with TA Performance but I'm assuming that PN he posted is for a standard D44.

Yea, I'm not sure if its the same housing or not .. I searched and couldn't find any data or pics of the rear bolt pattern or shape -- someone needs to do some leg work and compare the two without spending a bunch of money.

It appeared FDNY-L107 had a solution with TA Performance but I'm assuming that PN he posted is for a standard D44.

I know for a fact that Builder Bill went down this path to hit a dead end. That's why he went with a Ford 9".

http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10583

I ordered the TA Cover already. Did anyone else on this board already try their cover?

What is the difference (cover dimensions), between a reg Dana 44 and ours?

I'm confused here. TA Performance and I went through the dimensions and we're good (I hope). We have a match at least on paper, no clearance issues.

OKay, so I'm missing something here. Thanks.

Picture of the TA Cover attached.

Let us know and post pics.

Will do. Should know within a few days. Thanks.

What is the difference (cover dimensions), between a reg Dana 44 and ours?


From that website candyman posted .. section: "Products Under Development."

Dana Super 44/226 Rear Differential Cover
Fits 1999 and newer Jeep Grand Cherokee and GC SRT8 and other Chrysler and Dodge models such as the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum.

Cover has10 bolts. Pictured here is a traditional Dana 44 rear differential cover on the left, sitting next to a stock cover from a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

This image shows our existing Dana 44 differential cover (P/N 9516) compared to the cover off a 2004 Grand Cherokee.

http://www.yourcovers.com/diff_cover_images/DanaM44vs9516.jpg

That's not our cover (pictured on the left) - at least it is not mine on my 08. At least I don't think so. The depth dimensions on the TA cover vs the one on the left are not the same either - two different designs. I'll post a pic of my stock cover - pretty easy to see.

Here's my stock cover - pretty clear that it looks like the stock one pictured above and not the aftermarket one. If you look at the TA cover, you can see that they match in design.

Crap - now that I'm taking a closer look, appears you guys are right. They don't appear to match.
I'll check when I get it......but I think I'm screwed.

Crap - now that I'm taking a closer look, appears you guys are right. They don't appear to match.
I'll check when I get it......but I think I'm screwed.

Return it, they lied to you... they probably don't know what a DS44 is. And that PN in their catalog is a standard D44. Note the years of vehicles it fits -- they've been selling this for years.

PS - the D44 pic is on the left... DS44 on the right as indicated above.

Return it, they lied to you... they probably don't know what a DS44 is. And that PN in their catalog is a standard D44. Note the years of vehicles it fits -- they've been selling this for years.

PS - the D44 pic is on the left... DS44 on the right as indicated above.

Yeah, that's the plan. Damn, I'm disappointed. I believe the folks on this board know more about this truck then the folks that built them!

I'm assuming that's the proper "fill to" hole on the stock cover? I know there is a drain plug at the bottom of the diff itself. I'm at least going to change the oil with some Royal Purple. At least I will not have to return that!

Thanks.

Mark:

Hey!! I was just wondering the pictures you posted of the rear, Is this your actual SRT pictured? If it is, I can't believe how it looks for only having a couple of hundred miles on it. I have 26k on my '06 and it doesn't look nothing like that. What's up with that??

Paul:cool:

Yeah - I know!.....the Jeep's not even a week old with 200 miles and it looks like its been through a war back there. I don't have anything to compare it too, so I don't know how everyone else is looking like....but really. Like I stated at the beginning, two guys from Jersey slapped this together (again, nothing against Jersey!).
:)

Amsoil "Severe Gear" synthetic 75-140 is also an excellent
choice for our SRT8 Diffs.
Craig