Dodge Front Differential Cover
8"/205mm Ring Gear, 12 Bolt
For Ram 1500, Dakota, Durango

P/N 11046

PRODUCT IN DEVELOPMENT. PROTOTPYE PARTS. If you are interested in installing a prototype cover, please contact us for more information. Email us at yourcovers@pmli.com or call (310) 671-4345.

Volume: 0.25 qt. over stock, approximately

Dimensions: Click here for dimensions. Check for clearance with wheels straight, left and right and at limits of suspension.

Pricing: will be similar to rear cover ($195 for natural cast finish, $245 for black powder coat with shaved fins). Vent will be additional.

For this differential cover design, PML included a tiny bit of extra capacity, some fins, a fill and level check hole, boss for a temperature sensor, and a drain hole. Aluminum construction and fins will provide cooling and the drain plug will make easier oil changes. It will accommodate a vent in the top boss. Other configurations are possible.

Dodge does not provide any information to us on what vehicles have this front differential and we rely on our customers to let us know the configuration on their truck or SUV. This project is the result of the many Dakota, Durango, and Ram 1500 owners contacting us and providing information. Thank you all for your help. More input is always welcome.

Applications for this cover include:

• Dodge Ram 1500 4WD, around 2001 to 2011
• Dodge Dakota 4WD, 1997 or 1998 to 2004 and possibly 2005 to 2011
• Dodge Durango 4WD, 1997 or 1998 to 2004 and possibly 2005 to 2011
• Some models of Mitsubishi trucks and SUVs

This differential cover has oil fill/level check and drain holes for easier oil changes.

PML makes a rear end cover for these Ram trucks. Please see our Dodge 9¼" 12 bolt cover.

This part has an undrilled boss for a temperature sensor. The option to have PML drill and tap the boss will need to be ordered over the phone, not on-line.

Be sure to check that you have the 12 Bolt Dodge 8"/205mm differential. Some vehicles have a similar cover.

Image at left shows a 10 Bolt Dana cover from a 1997 Dakota. This is very similar in shape to the 12 Bolt Dodge 8"/205mm cover.

Clearance Issues and Installations

PML designed this heavy duty front end cover for 2002 to 2011 4WD Ram 1500, Durango and Dakota. Our design allows for:

1. Clearance. When the steering linkage moves, there is little clearance for a larger cover.
2. Access. The front 8 inch stock differential cover is hard to access, making fluid changes difficult. This cover includes a magnetic drain plug for easy maintenance.

Installations

We have parts out for testing on a Ram 1500 trucks, Dakotas and Durangos.

2001 Dakota PML Differential Cover Installation

The image below show this PML differential cover installed on a 2001 Dodge Dakota 4WD 4.7. Our thanks to Troy for installing the cover and providing feedback and pictures.

Troy had to remove the steering rack mounting nut and push back the bolt into the frame in order to get the old cover off and the new cover on (first picture). The steering rack mounting bolt and the fins are 1/8" apart but he does not believe that this will be an issue on as there is no way for the steering rack to move as it is bolted to the frame as is the front differential. Vent is attached to the rubber hose as shown in the middle picture.

Image at left shows PML cover and stock cover.

After verifying the fit, Troy ground off the top of one fin to allow more clearance for the steering rack mounting bolt and then powder coated the cover a custom smooth, shiny black.

2003 Ram 1500 5.9 PML Differential Cover Installation

These pictures show Gary's 2003 Ram 1500 5.9 4x4 front end with a prototype PML differential cover installed. Gary was unable to get an allen wrench in the head of the top bolt to tighten with the power steering gearbox being so close. Other than that, everything went smoothly. The capacity with stock cover was 1.75 quarts and with the PML cover his capacity was 1.9 quarts.

The middle image shows the hard to access top bolt next to the vent fitting. The images on the right show the truck, stock cover on top and the PML cover installed on the bottom. Our thanks to Gary for his feedback and pictures.

Gary has also a PML 618 transmission pan and rear differential on his truck.

2005 Ram 1500 PML Differential Cover Installation

Scot installed a prototype PML front differential cover on his 2005 Ram 1500 4x4 front end. He provide images and notes on his installation. Our thanks to Scot for his feedback and help.

The first image shows the space between the steering and the stock cover. The middle image shows vent tube removed from the stock cover. The last image shows the PML cover installed.

Scot's installation notes:
Due to space restrictions, Scot was unable to remove the top right bolt with a socket and ratchet, so it was necessary to use a wrench. This posed no inconvenience in the procedure. Once all surfaces were cleaned, he did a dry fit with the new cover to see what would be the clearest path to mate the surfaces without getting sealant all over. The cover was easily placed without any interference. He put a ¼" bead of Permatex RTV sealant around and between each bolt hole, prepped all the bolts with washers, and put a little Loctite blue on the threads.

2004 Durango 5.7 Hemi AWD PML Differential Cover Installation

Mike at M.P.R. installed this differential cover on a 2004 Durango with 5.7 Hemi engine, AWD. The cover fit fine as shown on the left. But when the Durango ran for a while, fluid was forced out of the top of the vent. The fluid made a mess and losing fluid is never good. M.P.R. specializes in custom performance modifications and he suggested some changes based on his experience, so we are reviewing the vent design. Our thanks to Mike for all his help.

For a larger picture, please click one of the above images. A separate window will open showing a bigger picture. (The larger pictures take a minute to display.)

PML Differential Cover Features:

• Increased oil capacity for cooler temperatures
• Sand-cast aluminum with raised fins
• 3/16-inch thick wall construction to add strength to differential housing
• 3/8-inch thick gasket flange will not bend when bolts are tightened
• Machined gasket surface for a secure seal using RTV or factory reusable gasket
• Oil changes without removing the cover
• All hardware provided, including magnetic drain plug

Learn more about finishes and construction of PML parts.