Dana 44 OEM Cover

Camdenst

Camdenst

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Hi yall,

I'm going back to an OEM rear cover for my Rubicon 44 and for some reason the fill seems so low. Did they make different versions and will it hold enough gear oil?

In true jeep project fashion, I noticed it after I noticed the rugged ridge JK diff skid because it blocked the fill.

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That fill height is all the Dana 44 needs. The spinning ring gear dips down into it deeply enough to REALLY throw a LOT of oil completely around inside the housing. Google the couple YouTube videos that shows just how much gear lube is being thrown around through a clear plexiglas diff cover, it's pretty impressive. And since you're not running a DC rear driveshaft the pinion angle hasn't been raised which would lower that fill hole height.
 
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I don’t know, that plug looks lower than the plug that was on the rear of my ‘06 OEM cover. I had one of those guards on at one time too, but it didn’t block the plug. These are the best pics I have of it on my phone.

The Teraflex cover on there now, the lower plug is lower than the OEM was. I just used the top plug to get two quarts in.

IMG_7949.jpeg


IMG_5026.jpeg


IMG_5024.jpeg
 
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hosejockey61 said:
The gas tank skid is what I'm seeing. My OEM skid rubs ever so slightly. I'm curious to see how close a rear Barnett cover would be.
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Barnett should be the same as factory stamped. Mine touches the skid at the top of the cover at full shock compression. But only because I pushed the axle back that far.
 
jjvw said:
Barnett should be the same as factory stamped. Mine touches the skid at the top of the cover at full shock compression. But only because I pushed the axle back that far.
Click to expand...

Yeah I get that, I was curious as you said if the ramp would make contact or not. At full bump is yours making a significant contact or just touching?
 
hosejockey61 said:
Yeah I get that, I was curious as you said if the ramp would make contact or not. At full bump is yours making a significant contact or just touching?
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I haven't cycled the rear since the Barnett when on. But judging by the scars, I would expect the top shelf of the ramp to stop about 2" below the Savvy gas tank skid.
 
jjvw said:
I haven't cycled the rear since the Barnett when on. But judging by the scars, I would expect the top shelf of the ramp to stop about 2" below the Savvy gas tank skid.
Click to expand...

Ah, I misread your previous post. My 3/16" cover rubs on a sliding motion as yours probably does. Same thing with pushing the axle back. I thought you had already cycled with the Barnett cover. I would not anticipate any issues with the pinion being clocked up. That ramp would have done you good when you were stuck on trough trail when you broke your front shaft.
 
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Camdenst said:
I'm going back to an OEM rear cover for my Rubicon 44 and for some reason the fill seems so low. Did they make different versions and will it hold enough gear oil?
Click to expand...

I agree that looks low compared to others.
I see both types on Google images that 'say' TJ.
Either way, if your diff is tilted back, you may need to get creative to get the fluid level up to the bottom of the axle shafts.
That is where the oil level sits when stock.
 
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