Diff covers with drain plug

[DrewsJT]

Do anyone know of a 44 advantek diff cover with a drain plug other than the apparent solid gold b&m one?
Thank you

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[Jaxmax]

ARB, nice cover with dipstick and drain plug, goes for about $190. Unless you have found they changed it…..Jack

 

[Hootbro]

aFe Power but they are made of solid gold also.

 

[rharr]

there are approximately 122 different cover mfrs to choose from, Just get your google fu on.

 

[Jaxmax]

I’m not sure if I would go with aluminum though. Cast iron or steel is I think tougher.

 

[DrewsJT]

I have for days. Most do not have drain plugs for the 14 bolt advantek. Thanks

 

[DrewsJT]

ARB, nice cover with dipstick and drain plug, goes for about $190. Unless you have found they changed it…..Jack

Thx. The 12 bolt advantek is a 17 week shipping lead

 

[ShadowsPapa]

How about making a drain plug in a heavy steel cover?

(I still prefer a cover with increased surface area to improve cooling - such as mild/small cooling fins)
I used to put drain plugs in other differential covers, transmission pans and so on. Pretty easy to braze a nut inside the cover and use an oil drain plug and gasket, or use a recessed pipe plug and weld or braze a pipe nut inside. (leaving less sticking out)

 

[DrewsJT]

I'm gonna order a weld in bung from summit racing and weld it in.
Thx everyone

 

[AustinL911]

I can't answer your question, but I am just curious. How often are you planning on changing your diff fluid and are you not also curious what the gears look like thereby necessitating pulling the cover anyways?

My personal plan is to change my fluid every 20-25k miles, and I'd like to know how my gears look at that same time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I can't answer your question, but I am just curious. How often are you planning on changing your diff fluid and are you not also curious what the gears look like thereby necessitating pulling the cover anyways?

My personal plan is to change my fluid every 20-25k miles, and I'd like to know how my gears look at that same time.

We want ways to pull the cover after most of the fluid has drained.
I drain 'em, then pull the cover. Less messy, easier. And it gives you a choice. Gear inspection isn't truly needed every fluid change - it's good to do, but I can see why some want to simply change 90% of the fluid and move on. Gears will look fine in almost every case. (I'm far more concerned about bearings in these)


I guess I can summarize in the word -> "options".

 

[DrewsJT]

I can't answer your question, but I am just curious. How often are you planning on changing your diff fluid and are you not also curious what the gears look like thereby necessitating pulling the cover anyways?

My personal plan is to change my fluid every 20-25k miles, and I'd like to know how my gears look at that same time.

I've spent my career working on industrial machines. If the fluid isn't contaminated the gears will outlive the motor. Baring a catastrophic failure then it doesn't matter

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I've spent my career working on industrial machines. If the fluid isn't contaminated the gears will outlive the motor. Baring a catastrophic failure then it doesn't matter

I am NOT doubting you - you're the expert at what you do. I'm merely asking a question for some insight and maybe clarification - nothing more so please don't take it as a "yeah, but...." thing. I'm by nature a very curious person........

In those industrial machines - what sorts or types of gears are used?
I've been around the equipment (my father worked in a factory for years and I've done multiple "tours" of automotive plants, John Deere and others) but haven't been inside anything larger than a Hart-Parr or Rumley or a Case steam tractor.

And in the end - I agree. For me it's not necessarily looking at gears - my main concern is bearings. I've got about 200,000 miles on the original gears in one of my cars - the bearings went south but the gears have perfect wear patterns. And these hypoid gears are "extreme pressure" gears that slide a lot during each contact. Good lube, they'll last forever unless something else fails or there's contamination.

 

[HVYMETL]

I have the Dana 44 Advantek axles on my JTRD... Both diff housings have plugs and they are magnetic. Simple to get to as well. (3/8" ratchet)

 

[Hootbro]

I have the Dana 44 Advantek axles on my JTRD... Both diff housings have plugs and they are magnetic. Simple to get to as well. (3/8" ratchet)

DANA phased out the drain plugs in both front/rear diffs starting in late 2021 models. Pretty much by 2022 with maybe a few stragglers, every new Gladiator after that has no factory drain plugs in the diffs. They made the fill plug magnetic.

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