Seeing as there isn't anything in the way of aftermarket front diff covers, and who wants to deal with cleaning up the flange surface in that tight space, or fighting that top nut, has anyone installed a drain plug into the diff housing?

I've done a few into transmissions, but after someone else had already located the ideal location and passed on their knowledge. Looking at some gear swap videos, looks like anywhere driver side of the center bottom bolt would be fine.

 

How often you changing your diff fluid?

I just got my new 2019, I’m not waiting 150k miles to change the transmission fluid.

I plan to do it every spring, don’t care what the book says.

Diff fluid I always did once every two years on cars in the past.

 

Can't say I personally would see the point. I've rarely if ever changed the diff fluids(mainly cause I buy used).

Current truck only has 50k, I'll do it at 70k or so, then maybe again at 150k and call it quits.

 

I'll probably change the front every other year because of condensation. I occasionally ford, checking after is a really good idea.

Not wanting this to de-rail into a conversation of the pros/cons of drain plugs. Anyone installed one?

 

I can't remember the guys username, but he installed the B&M diff cover the for the non super 8.8 on the front diff and said it fit perfectly

 

In the past I've used one of these to suck the grease out of the fill hole. Worked great and got enough grease out. Makes the process simple and no removing the cover.

 

I seem to remember that guys post too, but I thought he said the only way it fit was because he was lifted or something? I don't remember exactly, may need to find that thread again. I'd love to make the front diff more serviceable, but considering how I drive, it's very low priority for me.

 

I am aware I can pump it. Drain plug is cheaper as I've already got plugs, taps and drill bits, and it drains a lot faster.

I hope you aren't getting grease out of your diff, that would be, uh, interesting.

 

Are you planning to do this with the cover still on the diff or remove the cover and then Tap into the cover and create a port. I would be concerned with the metal shavings entering the diff if doing this without removing the cover. And if you are going to remove the cover which is a PIA, then it would be more economical just to find a better cover with more diff fluid capacity with a drain port already in it. Only if any such aftermarket product exists.

I am very much interested in this, I think any component that has any kind of fluid in it should be serviceable by having drain and fill ports. Nothing is a lifetime period....

I say this cause I had done this on my jeep JKU and there is so many different options available on that platform.

Sandan

 

Ha, I had grease on my mind because it always reminds me of a grease gun.