Mag Hytec transmissions pan/dif cover

[Doc Mayhem]

Wanted to hear people's thoughts on Mag-Hytec pans and dif covers. I have a 2006 Dodge Ram cummins auto and am looking at getting the double deep trans pan and the differential cover for the rear. Is the increased capacity worth the loss of ground clearance under the tranny. It looks like it still wouldn't hang lower than the oil pan sump and most of the off road driving I do is unimproved fire road type stuff, not hard core offroading. Or is it just bling?

Thanks
-Doc

 

[shortbus4x4]

They do help on the cooling some especially if towing. Just be aware that they don't bend very much before cracking into pieces, unlike your stock steel covers which will deform quite a bit before cracking. For pavement pounding they are fine, if you ever go offroad I wouldn't run one on the differentials. Transmission is pretty protected so I would run one there without worrying too much about it.

 

[Rot Box]

Or is it just bling?

They are anything but bling :sombrero: The trans pans especially make a huge improvement in cooling and I think the clearance loss is worth it imo, but I use my trucks to tow often...

 

[PAToyota]

For towing, I'd definitely recommend them. For off-road, not so much.

 

[ntsqd]

The common fault of being easily cracked that is often laid on cast aluminum's doorstep really depends on the quality of the casting. Hit any hard enough and it will crack. Some take a lot more to crack than others. No experience with this particular product, so no idea about them. A thick cast aluminum trans pan will be stiffer than the steel pan. For pan sealing that would be a bonus, and it may help stiffen the trans case - which usually isn't a bad thing.

 

[Regcabguy]

I was told that the one I had on the '98.5 would help stiffen up the transmission body somewhat. I had the single deep one and it didn't hang down at all. The ease of changing fluid is a plus,but kits are available to install a drain on the stock pan. Trouble I had was that the bolts wouldn't hold their torque. I went with thread sealer to cure that problem. If I had another auto,I'd just drill out the stocker for a plug.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

My buddy had one on his Super Duty. Marked decrease in tranny temp. He solved his worries about meeting up with rocks by fabbing a skid plate. :sombrero:

 

[KLAKEBRONCO]

Overpriced if you ask me. Especially the diff covers, as there are much better options.

I like the SOLID covers. Cast iron covers that won't break, will seal better than stock, and should stiffen the case quite a bit over the stamped covers.

The fabbed steel covers are beefy too, but I've seen a few have constant leak issues.

 

[chasespeed]

I had them on my S/D, both trans, and rear diff.

Dropped the temps of the trans.... especially when towing... Already had an aftermarket larger cooler. No sealing issues.... BUT, I wouldnt pay retail for one of them either.... well, maybe the trans pan, held a lot more tranny fluid than stock...

Chase

 

[milo12]

As most have said, great on highway to keep temps down when towing.

No way for use in serious off road driving. They are cast aluminum and will break way too easily.

I have Rock Crusher diff covers front and rear. they are incredibly solid cast iron, thick covers. No way will one ever break and leave you stranded. If you hit that hard you will have way more problems, like a doctor bill.

http://www.shoprockcrusherdiffs.com/products.asp?cat=14

Damn, I just checked the link and it looks like everything is out of stock. Sorry, maybe a vendor may have some stock.

 

[KLAKEBRONCO]

As most have said, great on highway to keep temps down when towing.

No way for use in serious off road driving. They are cast aluminum and will break way too easily.

I have Rock Crusher diff covers front and rear. they are incredibly solid cast iron, thick covers. No way will one ever break and leave you stranded. If you hit that hard you will have way more problems, like a doctor bill.

http://www.shoprockcrusherdiffs.com/products.asp?cat=14

Damn, I just checked the link and it looks like everything is out of stock. Sorry, maybe a vendor may have some stock.

Those are the same as the SOLID covers. Most places were selling them for most diffs for $65.
I got mine from EMS Offroad for $65

 

[alelogman]

I think I'll check ebay for some used engines

 

[TurboChris]

I had a hard time justifying the cost. The majority IMO of added cooling from these comes from the increased fluid capacity. On my F250 I went with generic aftermarket polished covers....added a quart of extra fluid each, looked great and only about $70 or $80 each...

 

[poriggity]

Mag Hytec is AWESOME stuff.. Yes, there is a bit of bling, but the function, IMHO outweighs the bling.

 

[goodtimes]

My '99 had them on it when I bought it. I don't know that I would have spent the $$$ to put them on it myself. Drain plugs are a great feature -- but anyone that can weld can put a drain plug in the OEM covers (just weld a 2" square piece of 3/16 or 1/4 plate to a low spot, then drill/tap for what ever plug you choose).

For the type of travel I do in my Dodge, breaking them isn't a concern as I more clearance than I need -- I just don't get out on that rough of trails anymore now that I am Jeepless . . .