What year did they stop putting filler plugs in the diff heads and start putting them on the casing?

Here's the story.
I bought an 88 rangie off a guy for parts. Bought on an online auction site (not ebay).
When the vehicle turns up, it's been stripped of anything remotely valuable or useful, the power steering, steering damper, even the diffheads have been swapped with ones soo old they have filler plugs in the neck.

We're due in court sometime in the next few weeks, so some info on what period these diff heads are from could be quite useful.

Don't know the answer, but all the series IIA and SIII LR's I have owned have filler plugs in BOTH the axle housing and cast diff casing.

My 1980 RR has a filler plug in the third member housing, my 1987 RR does not. What is the gear ratio? That will tell you for sure if it is series or RR. You can use the earlier type without a problem.

-Jeff

I have a mid 80's RRC center section that has the fill plug in it. Also have a front axle that came out of a mid 80's 90 that has the plug in it. My 1970 IIa doesn't.

Pete

My 1980 RR has a filler plug in the third member housing, my 1987 RR does not. What is the gear ratio? That will tell you for sure if it is series or RR. You can use the earlier type without a problem.

-Jeff

My 85 doesn't have the filler plug in the neck either. My Haynes manual shows a two door with the filler in both places (neck and axle housing), but doesn't mention the model year.

The remains are stored 200km away, I haven't checked the diff ratio yet (I'm assuming they're 3.54 RR diff heads), but next chance I get I'll jack up a wheel and count the spins.

Anyone got a diffhead dating between 80-85?

According to the manuals, major changes were made to the RRC between 84 and 85. I would guess 84 and earlier have the fill plugs in the diff. I know my 80 two door does.

Yep, 83 - 85 were the weird years for Rover diffs...

Drain in 3rd member = Series based Rover "Banjo" housing, i.e. <83.