Differential drains

[Utah Willie]

Can anyone tell me why I should not braze a plug setup into my differentials to facilitate oil changes? I figure a suitable nut brazed onto a drilled hole with a steel and fiber washer on a plug to hold in the lube oil and a ring to one side to allow a safety wire to be attached, ala aircraft bolts and nuts, would do the job but I don't see anything about that in any of the threads so I have a hunch it may be a lame idea. #ad

 

[Alan Reagan]

I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just have to be careful on the internal clearance with the ring gear where you put the plug.

 

[John]

Two 4 bys ago I more or less did the same thing in the front differential. I spotfaced the bottom of the differential housing and drilled and tapped for an 1/8-27 NPT drain plug ("set screw" style). I went with the 1/8-27 as I didn't want to compromise the integrity of the housing anymore than I had to. Besides, warm/hot gear oil would still easily drain out.

I did much the same thing on my Ram however, I purchased a "bare", steel (OE style) front diff. cover and drilled a hole at the lowest possible (realistic) point. I had my VDO pyrometer bung (which isn't used in the Ram application) machined (reduced in length and counterbored to press fit into the drilled hole). The bung was TIG welded on the back side (only) and a powder coat finish was applied. Stainless steel Allen head bolts and washers were used to mount the cover (to match my Mag-Hytec rear diff. cover) and stainless steel hex head plugs were utilized at the drain and fill plug locations.

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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & DD trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, Jordan Research Ultima 2020 trailer brake controller, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, "special" Brite-Box, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass w. trick billet block adapter and Aeroquip Teflon-s/s hoses, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP s/s fuel hoses, tricked out Cummins valve cover, tricked out Banks High-Ram and 14 cm2 (wastegated) turbine housing, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

COMING ATTRACTIONS: break out those sun glasses! Plus, BLACKOUT gets a "BIG GULP"

NRA Life (Patron) member

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Thats a great idea to do, wont hurt anything. B&M automotive makes a drain plug kit that does not require welding or Brazing if you dont have access to that equipment. Anybody who has ever been showered in gear oil when the cover popped off will attest to how nice a drain plug would be!.

 

[Bill Lins]

I put the B&M plug kit on my stock cover @ the first diff. service- works great with no problems.

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Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Don't know about the Dana 60 up front, but the Dana 80 out back will leave a fair bit of oil, if the plug is in the cover. May not matter to you, but someting to think about.

Shelby

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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 12310 miles as of 05-01-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[EricBu12]

Got the Mag-hytec cover.
Drain plug w/magnetic center
Dipstick for level checking w/magnetic tip
double the fluid capacity for cooler gears
port for putting a temp probe in
O-ring seal that holds over 110 PSI

What else could you ask for?
Eric

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2001 QC 2500 4x4 bronze W/two tone Driftwood, 24valve HO 6sp. Blue chip 4-wire box, mag hytec dif. cover, BD stage 1 injectors. Westin side bars, fender flares, Rancho RSX off-road shocks, Spray on bedliner, sweet tooth grill, Leer shell Painted to match with LED marker lights, Bf Goodrich AT Tires. Bed rug inside shell W/aux marine deep cycle batt for lights, etc. M Brolins' CB mount.
Name of rig is "big bronze Brute"