Alternative to diff cover with drain plug

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 12:16 pm

I couldn't justify the expense of a cover with a drain plug right now, but when I changed the diff fluid I didn't want to go through that bull again. For what it is worth, there is a small magnet glued in the bottom of the diff in this same area from the factory. I used a magnetic plug. The 2 dimensional image doesn't do it justice, but the deepest part of the diff is actually the curved area at the top of the picture. This area is not going to drain with the Jeep at a normal angle.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:05 pm

Goglio704 wrote:

I couldn't justify the expense of a cover with a drain plug right now, but when I changed the diff fluid I didn't want to go through that bull again. For what it is worth, there is a small magnet glued in the bottom of the diff in this same area from the factory. I used a magnetic plug. The 2 dimensional image doesn't do it justice, but the deepest part of the diff is actually the curved area at the top of the picture. This area is not going to drain with the Jeep at a normal angle.

So you drilled and tapped the carrier case?

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:39 pm

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:46 pm

Goglio704 wrote:

Yup.

Cool...bet it was a PIA to do. :wink:

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:54 pm

Not too bad, plenty of oil available. Drilled it in four steps. Tapped 1/2"-20. I'm no machinist, but I've drilled and tapped holes in a lot of pretty expensive stuff before. It is different when it is your own money though. Was worried about getting it straight and would have liked a second person with an eye on the other axis, but it came out fine. Considered borrowing a mag drill from work, but would had to have fabbed a jig. Had and "aww screw it" moment and went for it. :wink:

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:04 pm

Must be nice to have the lift available to do that kind of stuff. I'm going over to a friends shop tomorrow and use his hoist to do the PML cover install. He is usually too busy or I have other things to do when he's not.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:09 pm

No lift here. I do have a floor jack and some good jackstands though. And a camera that will focus to 10 or 12 inches. :wink:

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:15 pm

Goglio704 wrote:

No lift here. I do have a floor jack and some good jackstands though. And a camera that will focus to 10 or 12 inches. :wink:

I have all those mentioned, but when I thought about doing it I just could not see me laying on my backside to do the job. Decided to get the PML cover instead and in process increase amount of gear oil for any trailor towing.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:21 pm

I don't mind the laying down too much - it is the getting up and down to get stuff that gets old to me. I would still like to get the PML cover one day, but I just can't get it bumped to the head of the line. Still need skids, and the Skink sliders are looking better all the time.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:23 pm

Goglio704 wrote:

I don't mind the laying down too much - it is the getting up and down to get stuff that gets old to me. I would still like to get the PML cover one day, but I just can't get it bumped to the head of the line. Still need skids, and the Skink sliders are looking better all the time.

Skink sliders???

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 2:32 pm

Kinda like a running board or step, but built stout to protect the rocker panels. I don't wheel much (yet) but my wife managed to cave in a rocker panel on her Toyota station wagon. :roll:

Jeep's not heavy enough yet. :wink:

Alternative to diff cover with drain plug

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