Diff shaving, why not?

[Slideways]

Everyone fits bigger tyres in order to get more ground clearance, for example 33" to 35". This only gives you ONE inch of extra height, which is better than nothing.

But since its such a big expense for such a small gain, it got me thinking why more people don't 'shave' the diff heads to gain a bit more clearance? Surely you could get a minimum of 0.5" maybe even 1" depending on the design of the diff housing?

Is there a reason behind it? Cost? Strength? Legality?

Just thought I'd put it out there.

[turoa]

Its not a new thing to do,people have been doing it for ages, but generally only bother with it if the housings are already getting stripped down for some reason cause its not something that can be done in place. The max you can really gain is than 15mm without pointing the pinion upwards (as the bolting surface of the head is still in the way). The main gain you get out of it is making the bottom nice and slidy, but people kinda ruin when they go and weld the drain plugs back on underneath

[Slideways]

Its not a new thing to do,people have been doing it for ages, but generally only bother with it if the housings are already getting stripped down for some reason cause its not something that can be done in place. The max you can really gain is than 15mm without pointing the pinion upwards (as the bolting surface of the head is still in the way). The main gain you get out of it is making the bottom nice and slidy, but people kinda ruin when they go and weld the drain plugs back on underneath

Yeah definitely not a new idea, I just don't see it much and wondered why. Still 15mm is pretty good.

[Clint]

Known in some circles as a 'Brazilian' diff

You can replace one of the lower flange studs with a bolt & use that as the drain, it should be close to the lowest point if you've done a good shave. It's also well worth gusseting up the diff housings at the same time, a little bit of steel here & there can add lots of strength.

Cheers
Clint

[rokhound]

You mean like this........




I am just in the process of forming another new housing for the front as there were a couple of bits I didn't like with the first one. I got an extra 30 odd mm of clearance (that's 1 1/4")

[pruggerdore]

Known in some circles as a 'Brazilian' diff

You can replace one of the lower flange studs with a bolt & use that as the drain, it should be close to the lowest point if you've done a good shave. It's also well worth gusseting up the diff housings at the same time, a little bit of steel here & there can add lots of strength.

Cheers
Clint

yes the bolt hole as a drain works for oil but it kind of sucks when it comes to flushing the crap out from a broken cv/diff. found that out the hard way.
wouldnt be without my shaved diffs tho.

[Slideways]

You mean like this........




I am just in the process of forming another new housing for the front as there were a couple of bits I didn't like with the first one. I got an extra 30 odd mm of clearance (that's 1 1/4")

Very cool, 1 1/4"? Thats heaps! What was this on and did you do anything special to get that much extra clearance?