Rear Diff cover
 

What rear diff cover do you guys recommend? My XJ is stock with the 8.25 rear end. I’m about to remove the diff cover and service it. I’m not wanting to go back with the factory cover. It leaks around the fill hole and doesn’t have a drain plug. I kinda want to go back with cover that has a drain plug. I just don’t want to break the bank over a new one. I’m kinda leaning towards the G2. Any body on here currently using this product?

I went with the Solid covers on both of my axles, they are the cheapest I found at only $65 a piece and they are very well made.
https://www.solidaxle.com/productcar...p?idCategory=9

Thing that always confuses me on aftermarket one is the location of the fill hole. Why does not ever look like it is in the same position as a factory one?
And if that is the case how do you know what level you are at in there?
Filling it dry is one thing. You can look up the spec for the amount needed.
But what about just checking it when you do an oil change?

You still fill them all the way to the fill hole, it just takes a little more oil.

And this is OK? Assuming you are vented properly I am guessing it is not a problem but........

Buy a new plug for your existing cover and install a lubelocker gasket. I think you can get new rubber fill plugs for about 8 bucks. You can always cut some threads in there and install a short threaded plug too. This would be the most budget way over buying a new cover.

A new fill plug cured my leak. They do get worn out with age for sure.


This one says D35 but fits the 8.25 just fine.

Thanks for the input guys!! What fluid are y’all using in the rear diff?

I while back I swapped my diffs to synthetic in my '00 XJ. Valvoline VV975.

https://www.valvoline.com/our-produc...hetic-gear-oil

8.25 rear and a LP D30. The rear is an open one. I wished I had known about the Lube Locker gaskets at that time cause I would have used them.
I used this:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7651944

I use 85w140 in mine because it keeps the lockers quiet, I believe 80w90 is factory spec.

I keep a gallon of Supertech 80w90 on the shelf and use that. Change on a schedule halfish way between severe and normal.

Factory is 80w90 with 75w-140 recommend for severe duty use such as regular towing.

I should clarify that the manual recommends 75w140 for the rear axle during severe duty it doesnt mention using it in the front diff though i doubt you'd cause any damage by running it.

Not all covers are made the same, especially the 8.25. The solid cover though solid is clunky and not great looking imo on the 8.25. You shouldn't fill all diff covers to the fill because you'll end up pissing oil out the breathers due to too much oil. I'm a huge fan and can't recommend Ruffstuff covers enough. My solid d30 cover has taken a beating over many years but the 8.25 is such a better product for the 8.25 both in looks, fit, and overall strength (stamped steel is stronger than cast).
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cc10c57315.jpg

See now that is what I was thinking about the fill hole looking like it was not in the same position as factory. So the Ruffstuff covers have the 8.25 hole in about the same place as a factory one? Can't really tell from the picture. The D30 one looks a little high.

This is a good watch on diff covers.. Even though it's not aluminium for heat transfer. I ponied up for the ARB cover, as it resembles the stock cover the closest.

I'm sure the Ruff Stuff one works fine but it comes with a bare finish and you have to pay extra for the bolts. The Solid cover is half the price and comes powder coated, and with new bolts. It looks good to in my opinion but looks aren't the most important thing to me.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0613e80907.jpg

No they aren't and honestly I used a gift card to buy the cover off Ruffstuff but the quality is top notch. I've heard a lot of 8.25 covers needing bolt holes enlarged on the Solid covers due to bad fitments. I plan on shaving the 1/2" lip off the bottom of the 8.25 and the Ruffstuff looks to take very little excessive space down there compared to others. When I fill up my diff covers I fill them to the factory amount, then add until my finger touches it by just angling it inside the cover though the fill hole.