Artec Hardcore Diff Cover for Ford 8.8

The Artec Hardcore Diff Cover for the Ford 8.8 trades a stamped-steel factory cover for a heavy, cast nodular-iron housing built to take direct rock hits without deforming. It fits both standard and reverse-rotation 8.8 axles, so it works whether your 8.8 lives under a Ford or has been swapped under a Jeep, and it shields the ring gear, carrier, and locker from the impacts that crack thin OE covers on the trail.

Key Features

• Cast from high-strength nodular iron with thick walls for serious impact resistance
• Fits both standard and reverse-rotation Ford 8.8 differentials
• Durable powder-coat finish over the casting to fight corrosion
• Magnetic drain plug and magnetic fill plug to trap metal shavings and simplify gear-oil service
• Supplied with high-strength steel fasteners
• Protects ring-and-pinion, carrier, and locker from trail impacts

Fitment & Compatibility

Fits the Ford 8.8 differential in both standard and reverse-rotation configurations. The Ford 8.8 is common under vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Ranger and is a popular rear-axle swap in the Jeep world, and this cover bolts to the 8.8 housing regardless of the vehicle it sits under. If you are building an 8.8 for hard use, pair it with the Artec 8.8 Modular Truss to keep the housing from flexing under load.

Specifications

What's in the Box

• Nodular-iron differential cover
• Magnetic drain plug and magnetic fill plug
• High-strength steel mounting fasteners

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this fit standard and reverse-rotation 8.8 axles?
Yes. This cover is designed to fit both standard and reverse-rotation Ford 8.8 differentials, so it works on factory Ford applications and on 8.8 axles swapped into other rigs.

What is it made of?
It is cast from high-strength nodular iron with thick walls and a powder-coat finish, so it resists rock strikes far better than the thin stamped-steel factory cover.

Does it come with a gasket or do I use sealant?
The cover installs with the included high-strength fasteners and seals against the housing with RTV or a reusable gasket. Confirm you have all hardware and the drain plug before installing, and torque the bolts in a star pattern.

Will it help with ground clearance and gear temps?
The nodular-iron mass adds a small amount of thermal capacity for gear oil, and the smooth, rounded profile helps the housing slide over obstacles instead of catching a sharp factory cover edge.