D-44 Drain Plug ... Not, maybe ....

[Hedgehog]

Way back in my CJ childhood it amazed me to find out that the much loved Dana 44 does not have a drain plug. Now that I'm rebuilding my second Dana 44 it does occur to me that it is possible to install a drain. Have you or someone you know added a drain to a differential housing? It doesn't really have to be a Dana 44 .

 

[mriplaybass]

I have never installed one on an axle differential, but I can see no reason why it can't be done. I might want to give some thought to how much this might weaken the cover if I didn't have a differential shield, especially the front diff. I guess I look at it like this, these are Jeeps that we drive. When it comes time to drain the oil and change it, I kind of want to see if everything in there is doing well, so I am going to take the cover off anyway.

 

[Torxhead]

I recently was helping a guy work on his '56 Willys Wagon and did notice drain holes and plugs on the bottom of the older Dana 44 and 25 axles. I think that the older Toyota FJ40 axles had them also, go figure. I do go for a visual diff inspection like Mriplaybass stated along with magnets on the diff plugs also.

 

[Posi]

Can easily drill a hole and weld in a bung. If you have a plummer friend he will have everything you need to make a large inspection/drain hole.
or
Moroso Weld-In Bungs 22732 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Axle_Hsg_Inspect_Hole_Kit_Inst/i_0_0_/_140188-1-KIT.aspx#.Vsndp9BSTa8

 

[Hedgehog]

Hadn't really considered adding a bung ring. That would help with my second consideration which was strength.

Another consideration would be where to place the hole. Logically it would be on the bottom. But much of anything hanging down on the bottom would be bad.