Dan, I made mention of the difference in fill plug elevations here in the original thread that Duane started. As to proper fill level, I showed that just a few posts up. Neither the early or late Explorer/Mountaineer cover fill plug meets the elevation as dictated by the front housing fill plug.
And as to ring gear diameters being different, they should all be 8.8" regardless of ratio. Just the tooth count on either the ring or pinion changes with ratio.
The fill height will be the same regardless of the cover used, be it stamped steel/aluminum, or cast aluminum as used here.
Tob
Thanks again, Dan.
The correct level, regardless of cover, is dictated by the axle housing itself. The fill plug on any cover I've used, be it the old SVO, new 'short' FRPP, old/new Explorer, never seem to match the plug at the front of the cast housing on an 8.8" housing. Close, but not the same.
Sid, I'll get with the program - pronto!
Tob