fordums version
normal version: you should just add a drain plug
But where is the fun in that??
As for pulling the cover each time to inspect the gears and bearings, I have no problem with that.
Don't mind doing it on my present truck, with the 10.25 Sterling. I am going to add one of those locker gaskets next time though.
But it just got old with the 9 inch. Pulling both rear axles with brake plates, driveshaft and then the third member just to change the oil was just more fun than a normal man should have.........
I remember one day, I was under the truck unbolting the third member, when some idiot decided to open the main door.
Wind came howling in and blew sand everywhere.
Of course, I had not wrapped the rear axle bearings with anything, and they were nice and gritty.
I came screaming out from under the truck on the creeper to tell him to close the door, hit one of the brake plates and knocked it off the hanger. It promptly fell down and kinked the line at the T.
Didn't need the truck that day, so I just turned out the lights and went home.
When things like that start happening all at once, you don't want to be under the truck manhandling a third member or doing much of anything else.
As for damaging the drain area, I did worry a little about that, but the 1/2 plate steel combined with the countersunk plug seemed to handle it OK.
Of course, I never drove over big rocks. I did have to use my pocketknife a couple of times over the years to dig wood out of the Allen socket so I could get the wrench in, but never any damage.
