see post 31 on this thread....

 

Got it. LOL.

 

Got some things done on the XJ.
Removed rear shocks and painted them.
Added Zone Off Road rear bar pin eliminators.
Cleaned the rear exhaust heat shield.
Painted axles and leaf springs.
This is why you don't run stupid boot covers on shocks.

 

Looks great.
Wondering where you have been.
Does that ARB cover have a dipstick?
Oh by the way thanks for the insight into the Coil Mod.
Finally got it done over the past weekend.
Followed your lead.
Well for the most part. LOL.

 

Thanks Ralph!
Yes the ARB has a drainplug and a dipstick.
Good stuff on the coilpack mod, takes no time to check plugs now!

 

That is the thing that confuses me about aftermarket diff covers.
The fill hole always looks higher. So when you first do the mod you put in the appropriate amount. But how do you check the level after that?
Regular cover if it just dribbles out a little you are good. I am somebody who checks the level at each oil change. Even if I see no visible signs of leaks.
I would do one but it would just be for a look. But seeing how I can't determine the level in most of them doesn't make sense to me. And if you don't get a drain plug out of the deal what is the sense.
I guess you could fashion a dipstick of sorts to use. LOL.
But not only do I find that cover pretty bad *** looking the dipstick and drain plug to me are the real selling points. MLOL.
Now to justify $170 just for a look. EMLOL.

 

All you do is line up the old and new diff covers face down... I used a laser level and marked on the dip stick where the bottom of the fill plug was on the old one....
This will get you very close....
After the ARB was on and filled... I found it easier to use a white piece of plastic... check the level on the inside and then pull it out and check where it is on the outside...
(The white piece of plastic is easier to read than the dip stick, for accuracy..)
Makes it a hell of a lot easier to check the condition of the fluids... both the drain plug and dipstick are magnetized...

 

I could see how the dipstick could be a little hard read.
I figured you would just refill. 2.2 quarts I believe and mark the dipstick with the level.
But if I understand you correctly you bring up a good point.
Since the shape of the cover could be different enough to effect the level do you want the level it is at to be the same or do you just throw in the specified amount that the specs say?
That makes sense in my head but not sure I am typing it clearly. LOL.

 

The best thing to do is take some tape and pull it straight across the axle where the OLD diff cover's drain plug is.... That is the money line.... about where the bottom of the axle tube meets the housing.
That is where my fluid level is with the ARB on.... I think it was less than 2 quarts but I could be wrong...

 

Yeah this brings up things that never even occurred to me.
Care more about the level of the fluid in the diff then the amount.
So since you think you used less then 2 quarts and I believe capacity to be 2.2 quarts
seem reasonable to assume that the ARB cover is "shallower".
This is what bugs me about certain aftermarket upgrades, What is really correct?
What you did seems to be what you should do though.

 

IMO, ARB is the best... when the ring gear is pushing oil up and off of the cover, the flat diff covers do not allow gear oil to disperse to the bearings and pinion properly. The ring "channel" in the diff cover that the ARB has is similar to the stock cover. The channel forces oil outwards towards the bearings and to the pinion gear. For off road use those other diff covers are fine... I drive my XJ mostly on the roads and for long distances.

All I know is the stock cover does not hold up against a hidden disc plow covered in grass and weeds at my friends farm... not doing that again...

 

See now that works for me too.
Just a DD and doing it for a look.
Took some poking around but I finally found a website selling them that showed some shots of the inside.
Not a complete shot but enough for me to think I understand what you are talking about. LOL.

 

Added B&M 70268 Supercool transmission cooler. Plummed it in after the radiator. Also added B&M 80212 transmission temp guage kit. Plummed that in to the transmission line coming out of the transmission.
Copied what many have done before...
drill 2 inch hole... make a disconnect harness so you can take out the center console later... pretty straight forward... I plummed into the cigar lighter and an orange wire (dimmer switch) came out pretty slick.

 

Looks to be running right above 160. Pic of dimmer switch on dim and bright....

 

Cleaned up under the Jeep. Looks pretty good for 20 yrs old! Removed two badges....