I am doing an AP2(2007) diff swap into an AP1 right now and noticed that the AP2(2007) diff had a plastic breather box attached to the back of it with a rubber tube running from the diff to the box. Can the AP2 diff be installed into the AP1 with this breather box? Seems like there is very little space if none to do so. Also is it possible to just ziptie the tube to cap it and eliminate the breather box?

 

Please post pictures of that breather box.

I'm not sure but I think that's not OEM.

 

You most likely have an 08 CR differential.

08 CR Diff mount

You will need #2 to mount it correctly in an Ap1

I wouldn't cap off the breather.

 

Wow, that is quite interesting! I wonder what exactly this does?

 

Ah yes thats the breather box I am referring to! However I just read up that they started appearing on 06 and up diffs. Wouldnt fluid only go into that box if the diff overfilled only? I would imagine fluid wouldn't just leak into the box from regular driving?

 

Seems that 2006-08 have the breather box for the diff. Prolly there to equalize pressure to the atmosphere.

 

Thanks for the pictures!

Most likely an enviromental thing.
It will catch & collect the oil vapor so it does not escape into the enviroment.
The old style diff vent is a just metal cap over a short tube (kinda), I've never seen any trace of oil coming out.

All gearboxes / diffs have breathers to avoid pressure build-up going from ambient to +80C
I guess our gearbox vents through the shifter linkage tubes.

In the 4x4 world the vents have long rubber tubes that go up the chassis to avoid water getting sucked IN the diff when you drive through water.