differential cooling

[swampflyer]

Just curious! has anyone installed a diff cooler in their rear diff to keep the electronics from deteriorating from the heat. I saw a few online. Also the Eaton locker does not have the sensor on the inside of the diff from what I can determine. I know the aluminum diff covers dissipate heat better than steel or iron but not practical for off road use. I have read that the reports on diff fluid and it seems regular diff fluid (not synthetic) carries the heat away from the gears to the cover for dissipation better than the synthetic measured temp at the gears vs the cover. It just seems to me instead of updating to different covers (volume) and axle assemblies it would be a lot cheaper to install a diff cooler in the rear diff. Installing the popular arb diff cover might be pretty but an iron skillet holds heat a long time. Less diff fluid gets hotter quicker and cools down quicker where more fluid takes longer to get hot and longer to cool down. Just throwing this out for the more knowledgeable to chime in and maybe learn something.

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[Vinman]

Do you have a link to the diff cooler you have in mind?

 

[GATORB8]

You mean like a remote mount radiator style cooler?

If it's the sensor your concerned about, I believe it's not the heat, but the whole not potted issue that does it.

 

[swampflyer]

Do you have a link to the diff cooler you have in mind?

No I just was browsing on the internet and typed in diff coolers.

 

[azwjowner]

Driving slightly slower is probably the single most effective way to keep your gear oil cool.

 

[swampflyer]

You mean like a remote mount radiator style cooler?

If it's the sensor your concerned about, I believe it's not the heat, but the whole not potted issue that does it.

That seems to be what’s out there sorta like a small little radiator.
Can’t understand why they would put the sensor in the oil. It’s just their design I guess. The Eaton looks like it might be a better design but I’m no authority on lockers.

 

[GATORB8]

That seems to be what’s out there sorta like a small little radiator.
Can’t understand why they would put the sensor in the oil. It’s just their design I guess. The Eaton looks like it might be a better design but I’m no authority on lockers.

You can make the stock one operate without the sensor with Z Automotive’s ZLocker.

Unlike an IRS, the rear diff moves with the axle, be some serious fab to mount, protect, and pump a cooler.

 

[swampflyer]

You can make the stock one operate without the sensor with Z Automotive’s ZLocker.

Unlike an IRS, the rear diff moves with the axle, be some serious fab to mount, protect, and pump a cooler.

Saw some examples on line, looks like it’s being done especially the racers.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Just curious! has anyone installed a diff cooler in their rear diff to keep the electronics from deteriorating from the heat. I saw a few online. Also the Eaton locker does not have the sensor on the inside of the diff from what I can determine. I know the aluminum diff covers dissipate heat better than steel or iron but not practical for off road use. I have read that the reports on diff fluid and it seems regular diff fluid (not synthetic) carries the heat away from the gears to the cover for dissipation better than the synthetic measured temp at the gears vs the cover. It just seems to me instead of updating to different covers (volume) and axle assemblies it would be a lot cheaper to install a diff cooler in the rear diff. Installing the popular arb diff cover might be pretty but an iron skillet holds heat a long time. Less diff fluid gets hotter quicker and cools down quicker where more fluid takes longer to get hot and longer to cool down. Just throwing this out for the more knowledgeable to chime in and maybe learn something.

Diff cooler, where would I find one? Gymkhanas, Sebring, Indy 500, Daytona, Baja 1000 and just about any place where cars are running above 100MPH for 24 hrs at a time.

Here is the age-old gauge for determining if your axle is too hot...is it too hot to handle, IOW put your hand on your axle pumpkin and if you cannot keep it there for more than 30 sec it is too hot! Gonna be hard to do.

I put in a brand new Dynatrac ProRock 60 with 4:88 and pulled out and drove 1244 mi non-stop in I 10, stopping every 100 mi and putting my hand on that pumpkin, NOT HOT ever.

You may want to dwell on this:

The operating temperature range for axle oil typically falls between 90°C (194°F)and 140°C (284°F) Actual temperature can vary based on factors such as the vehicle’s load,-towing, gear ratio, and driving conditions

Normal operating temperature for vehicles with large tires, undersized differentials, or while towing is 200°F to 250°F


That said its your Jeep your money and your bragging rights and unless you are putting 44s on all 4 corners with base axles I would not worry about it...

 

[swampflyer]

Diff cooler, where would I find one? Gymkhanas, Sebring, Indy 500, Daytona, Baja 1000 and just about any place where cars are running above 100MPH for 24 hrs at a time.

Here is the age-old gauge for determining if your axle is too hot...is it too hot to handle, IOW put your hand on your axle pumpkin and if you cannot keep it there for more than 30 sec it is too hot! Gonna be hard to do.

I put in a brand new Dynatrac ProRock 60 with 4:88 and pulled out and drove 1244 mi non-stop in I 10, stopping every 100 mi and putting my hand on that pumpkin, NOT HOT ever.

You may want to dwell on this:

The operating temperature range for axle oil typically falls between 90°C (194°F)and 140°C (284°F) Actual temperature can vary based on factors such as the vehicle’s load,-towing, gear ratio, and driving conditions

Normal operating temperature for vehicles with large tires, undersized differentials, or while towing is 200°F to 250°F
If I want something I don’t pay to much attention to cost if it will work

That said its your Jeep your money and your bragging rights and unless you are putting 44s on all 4 corners with base axles I would not worry about it...

Thanks for the information. No big tires for me I like what came on it. I just don’t like the uncertainty of the factory locker sensor inside the diff in oil and reported failures of gears etc due to possibly heat. Been thinking of a fusion 60 with air locker or Eaton e locker. Most of my driving is at speed with occasional off roading on the weekends. Diff sensor replaced once under warranty. Lockers were used only once. Bummer.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks for the information. No big tires for me I like what came on it. I just don’t like the uncertainty of the factory locker sensor inside the diff in oil and reported failures of gears etc due to possibly heat. Been thinking of a fusion 60 with air locker or Eaton e locker. Most of my driving is at speed with occasional off roading on the weekends. Diff sensor replaced once under warranty. Lockers were used only once. Bummer.

Check Shawn's potting instructions, should prevent failures. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/locker-position-sensor-potting-dana-44.59581/

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