i have the stock GM 10-bolt 7.5/7.65" rear diff and was wondering if i could add drain and fill plugs to the stock cover. does anyone make aftermarket diff covers with fill/drain plugs besides the $150+ ones from summit? and how do you adjust the carrier main cap support? can it cause damage if done incorrectly? and will this fit with a rear sway bar? sorry for all the questions lol.

here's the one i was talking about:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SME-8510400/

 

You could get the stock plug for the 9-bolt rear, drill the appropriate size hole in your 10-bolt cover & do that.

 

that might work. what plug is it? and whats the deal with the aftermarket cover? any reviews?

 

The cover comes with instructions for the main caps. No problem with sway fitment. Fit and finish is nice (a gasket works fine). The plugs are very convenient. Recommended. Mine below:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...s-dsc00144.jpg

JamesC

 

The fill plug is fine if you just want to add oil, but you MUST remove the original fill plug so that you will know when you have the oil at the proper level. The original fill plug is set at the right height so that oil will run out when the rear end is full. The after market covers have the fill plug too high and you will over fill the rear end if you fill it to the hole in the cover.

Why do you feel like you need these plugs? Do you plan on changing your oil often?

If you over tighten the preload bolts on the cover you will damage the differetnial bearings. Follow the instructions with the cover and it will be fine.

 

thanks guys. i want to be able to change the oil maybe once a year or so and i don't want to have to take off the cover every time. i know i don't have to change the oil that often, but i at least want the option. also, the aluminum covers give you 1/2 quart more capacity. i know exactly how much oil to put in, so i'm not worried about over filling it. i'm prob just going to invest in the aluminum cover eventually...gotta save up some extra $$ first.

 

even if the aluminum cover added a hundered quarts, you would still fill to just below the opening of the fill plug on the housing.

Keep an eye out, a lot of times the aluminum girdles pop on on ebay and on the classifieds here on TGO for a reasonable price.

 

much appreciated!