Drain plug in a 8 3/4

[JR]

Would there be any big problem that you can think of with installing a welded in drain plug in the bottom of the housing? Not the very bottom but the bottom of the smooth part on the back, just to make it a little less messy when removing the 3rd member.

 

[rumblefish360]

No, and yes. Becareful were you put it, thats it. I'd hate to see ring gear contact. OUCH!

 

[JR]

It would be off to the side enough where that shouldn't be a problem, I was just thinking about any flexing/stress that it would put on the housing. The car is a daily driver that gets romped on pretty good.

 

[Ace]

Here's how I did mine:

http://66.17.171.114/PhotoAlbum/Cars/Pics/duster_21.jpg

I swap out the center section and re-use the oil at least two or three time a year, so the drain plug makes that chore a little quicker and less messy.

 

[rumblefish360]

Hey ACE, thats preety cool. The brace's cut outs are for the shocks?

 

[Ace]

Yep. And the lugs on top are the fittings for the end links of this custom-fit frame-hung sway bar:

http://66.17.171.114/PhotoAlbum/Cars/Pics/duster_26.jpg

The rear setup on this car is totally unique and quite killer, as far as I know.

 

[rumblefish360]

WOW! Nice work ACE. I seen the tabs there in the last picture. I was thinking panhard bar or something. (?)

 

[Ace]

I can't take credit for most of the work. I had a guy who runs a speed shop in Denver here do the narrowing/tubing, which is the hard part that requires a jig to get it straight, which I don't have. I did the rest of it.