I didn't have to do that. But I do have a 4" suspension lift. (Yes, I
have a D44 rear.) I did have to use an interesting assortment of
socket extensions on a couple of the bolts, but nothing crazy.

"CRWLR" <CRWLRJEFF@YAHOO.COM> wrote in message news:<107g89k7gcp7gca@corp.supernews.com>...
> > I tried taking the rear diff cover off but could not manage to get my
> hands
> > around the top bolts. Its a stock height currently and the gas tank was
> > the biggest culprit.
>
>
> The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts. Lift the vehicle
> and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as far as possible.

 

I'd want to take the cover off anyhow when changing the diff fluid to see
what crap is in there ..

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

I'd want to take the cover off anyhow when changing the diff fluid to see
what crap is in there ..

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

I'd want to take the cover off anyhow when changing the diff fluid to see
what crap is in there ..

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

I'd want to take the cover off anyhow when changing the diff fluid to see
what crap is in there ..

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

Bob;
You have solved the mystery -- mine is an '03 Rubi and it too has
drain plugs, both front & rear. Like TW says "it must be a Jeep thing".
Bob

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

Bob;
You have solved the mystery -- mine is an '03 Rubi and it too has
drain plugs, both front & rear. Like TW says "it must be a Jeep thing".
Bob

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

Bob;
You have solved the mystery -- mine is an '03 Rubi and it too has
drain plugs, both front & rear. Like TW says "it must be a Jeep thing".
Bob

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

Bob;
You have solved the mystery -- mine is an '03 Rubi and it too has
drain plugs, both front & rear. Like TW says "it must be a Jeep thing".
Bob

"Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
news:47b769ae.0404111901.7125a03@posting.google.co m...
> I think the newer D44s from the factory have that drain plug (my
> friend's '03 Rubi has that plug, too). However, the older TJs (like my
> '97 Sahara) with a factory D44 don't have any way of draining besides
> either a suction pump or removing the pumpkin cover.
>
> "Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no>...
> > TW;
> > If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the
bottom of
> > the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
the
> > fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If
your
> > Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
> > Bob
> >
> > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > news:c5bda4$4kv$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > >
> > > "Cherokee-LTD" <spammenot@home.com> wrote in message
> > > news:hgaec.85882$Bk31.31561@twister01.bloor.is.net .cable.rogers.com...
> > > >
> > > > "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n z> wrote in message
> > > > news:c5b9f9$1kg$2@news.wave.co.nz...
> > > > : "Handywired" <handywired@aol.com> wrote in message
> > > > : news:20040411014142.00534.00000147@mb-m29.aol.com...
> > > > : > >
> > > > : > > The rear axles must hang to gain access to those top bolts.
Lift
> > the
> > > > : > > vehicle and support the frame so that the axle hangs down as
far
> > as
> > > > : > > possible.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Nah! I got mine off without doing that.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > Unless his axle/differential is different than my D35c... in
which
> > case
> > I
> > > > : > am wrong <g>.
> > > > : >
> > > > : > -jeff
> > > > :
> > > > : Mine is Dana 44, thus the problem. Its pumpkin is bigger in size.
> > > > :
> > > > Okay, now you're just bragging LOL
> > > > -Brian
> > > >
> > >
> > > Nah, they are all the same (bigger) size in NZ ;-). Just got lucky
with
> > > that or else that would have been another upgrade in the pipeline. I
have
> > > put a ------sheet together to budget for everything and its being
coded
> > > based on priority (high / moderate / low) and timeframe desired (6 /
12 /
> > > 18 months). I think the very first one would be switching to Old Man
Emu
> > > suspension, then 32 inch mud terrains. I think I have mentally
prepared
> > my
> > > wife that its a life long process of continuous improvement, so she
should
> > > be brave and not question my sanity so frequently and regularly.
> > >
> > > TW
> > >

 

On Mon, 12 Apr 2004 11:28:38 +1200, "TW" <a t t w @ w a v e . c o . n
z> wrote:

>"Robert Brace" <rlbrace@shaw.ca> wrote in message
>news:JNdec.75780$Pk3.18882@pd7tw1no...
>> TW;
>> If you have a Dana 44 rear, don't you have a drain plug in the bottom
>of
>> the pumpkin back from the pinion flange? If you want to simply replace
>the
>> fluid without dealing with the cover, this should do it for you. If your
>> Dana44 is the same as my Dana44?
>> Bob
>>
>
>It is a Dana 44, but no drain plugs. We live in a strange world. It might
>be another Jeep thing!
>

Look on the top. Being in New Zealand, maybe they installed the rear
end upside down? ;-)

--
Old Crow
'82 Shovelhead FLT 92" 'Pearl'
'95 Jeep YJ Rio Grande
ASE Certified Master Auto Tech + L1
TOMKAT, BS#133, SENS, MAMBM, DOF#51