Drill the Diff covers

[Jocww]

For some bean counting reason Jeep didnt add a drain plug to the front of my D44. Anybody ever just drill and tap a their cover to make life easier? And no Im dont going to drill my housing for a drain plug.

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[bleda2002]

For some bean counting reason Jeep didnt add a drain plug to the front of my D44. Anybody ever just drill and tap a their cover to make life easier? And no Im dont going to drill my housing for a drain plug.

I'd weld a bung since the covers are thin

 

[ShadowsPapa]

For some bean counting reason Jeep didnt add a drain plug to the front of my D44. Anybody ever just drill and tap a their cover to make life easier? And no Im dont going to drill my housing for a drain plug.

Several threads about that. Took place sometime in the 2021 model year if I recall correctly. Do a search for drain plug and you'll likely get into those several threads and many dozens of posts.

 

[smlobx]

For some bean counting reason Jeep didnt add a drain plug to the front of my D44. Anybody ever just drill and tap a their cover to make life easier? And no Im dont going to drill my housing for a drain plug.

I think the reason that one wasn’t put in is that when you replace the fluid it’s a good thing to completely remove the fluid and wipe out the the housing to get any metal particles that may have settled.

AEV makes a nice cover that allows you to inspect the fluid and I’ll as necessary if you want.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/jl-differential-covers/

 

[whiteglad]

Motobilt and CavFab covers are plenty thick, 1/4 inch steel and are a great strength upgrade. I drilled and tapped mine for 1/8 NPT plugs. Just be careful as the plugs thread in easily unless they are getting cross-threaded because they are a fine thread. Permatex #2 works well on the threads.

 

[kevman65]

Yeah, don't drill the stock, stamped steel, thin covers.

Buy aftermarket heavy duty covers.

Drilling the stock cover and tapping it is asking for issues. Drilling and welding a threaded bung in would be fine.

 

[Jocww]

Yeah, don't drill the stock, stamped steel, thin covers.

Buy aftermarket heavy duty covers.

Drilling the stock cover and tapping it is asking for issues. Drilling and welding a threaded bung in would be fine.

Yea Ill prob just throw them on the tig table when I do the fluid change when I get a chance. Im at 20,500 so might as well do it now so I dont ahve to do it again in another 20k miles.

 

[Jocww]

I'd weld a bung since the covers are thin

What size bung are people using? I couldnt find that info.

Thanks

 

[Rusty PW]

What size bung are people using? I couldnt find that info.

Thanks

If you are going to tig weld. Use a piece of 1/4' thick, 5/8"x5/8" steel plate. Weld it, then drill and tap. Use a 1/4" pipe tap.

 

[Vtur]

I think the reason that one wasn’t put in is that when you replace the fluid it’s a good thing to completely remove the fluid and wipe out the the housing to get any metal particles that may have settled.

AEV makes a nice cover that allows you to inspect the fluid and I’ll as necessary if you want.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/jl-differential-covers/

Who would've thought that Jeep's really care ?. Imo, it's either cost saving or lifetime fill fluid like most manufactures claims these day.

 

[JTGuy]

I got the ARB red ones. The factory covers make better targets than covers.

 

[Vengeful One]

Who would've thought that Jeep's really care ?. Imo, it's either cost saving or lifetime fill fluid like most manufactures claims these day.

No, it’s because the drain plug was in a terrible spot and liked to piss the gear oil all over the trail when shown a picture of a rock. If you actually hit said rock it would still piss the oil all over the trail, but with the added joy of also becoming nearly impossible to tighten again.

The problem is that in removing the drain plug, they left the crater in the casting where the threads were machined, leaving the bottom of the housing in that spot fairly thin.

I have yet to have an issue with mine, personally, however I can see a Pro Rock 44 or similar in my future.

For now the ARB diff covers are holding up just fine for me. I also now have a drain plug and a dip stick, both with magnets to help keep the grit out of the oil.

 

[Vtur]

No, it’s because the drain plug was in a terrible spot and liked to piss the gear oil all over the trail when shown a picture of a rock. If you actually hit said rock it would still piss the oil all over the trail, but with the added joy of also becoming nearly impossible to tighten again.

The problem is that in removing the drain plug, they left the crater in the casting where the threads were machined, leaving the bottom of the housing in that spot fairly thin.

I have yet to have an issue with mine, personally, however I can see a Pro Rock 44 or similar in my future.

For now the ARB diff covers are holding up just fine for me. I also now have a drain plug and a dip stick, both with magnets to help keep the grit out of the oil.

Yes, I am aware of that, they can relocate it toward the rear of the diff similar to the rear right? But that's only if they wanted to.

 

[Stan H]

Mine still has the plugs in the diff. Housing. I like it alot

 

[Free2roam]

Dumb question. Are the front and rear covers interchangeable?

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