Did a search and there is plenty on aftermarket rear diff covers, but I was wondering if anyone has taken a stock 9.75" cover and drilled/tapped a drain hole in it? I've contemplated getting a cover from a wrecker and attempting the mod, but I don't know if the cover is thick enough and don't really want to go to the trouble if it wouldn't work. Any one try this out?

 

you would probably have to braze a nut on the other side...

 

How many times do you plan to drain the diff there Ricky Bobby?

 

I've known someone with a built rock/mud jeep that would drain and refill the fluid any time he submerged the axles. Other than that I'd say it's over kill.

 

It's messier to pull the cover off, but you get to see more when you do. If there's some carnage in there, you probably will miss it if you are using a drain plug. The dirtiest, ****tiest remnants of the oil will remain in there as well.

I like the inspection factor of pulling the cover.

 

Mud truck is different haha, assume OP's truck doesn't look like this... I could be wrong though. Yeah If not submerging the axles every weekend no need for drain plug. Especially on a OE diff cover. The billet covers with drain plugs have the plugs in a little pockets that's as low as they can get with the plug if that makes sense. Like someone said you'll be leaving behind tons of crud..