4×4 Diff Breather Kits: What They Are and How to Choose the Ideal One
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If you’re planning on taking your 4×4 for a stroll off the beaten trail, there are a few affordable, reasonable modifications that can go a long way in helping you preserve it. One of these modifications is the 4×4 diff breather kit. Diff breathers are designed to allow moisture and oil vapours to escape from the differential. In doing so, they prevent these components from being submerged in water when driving through wet conditions or climbing steep terrain- which could lead to costly repairs.
Importance of Diff Breathers
The problem with most vehicles is that as time goes on and parts are replaced, the original diff breather isn’t always replaced too. This can result in an ineffective modification that doesn’t do its job of helping keep your 4×4’s differential dry.
A diff breather kit is a very simple modification and doesn’t require any special tools or skills to install. It comes with everything you need including the metal tubing, clamps and seals. The only thing you have to do is cut your existing diff breather and then fit the new tubing in its place.
Diff breathers are suitable for most vehicles on the market today and fit into the drain plug hole of the differential. They’re made from durable steel that will last a lifetime and is finished in a black oxide coating that prevents corrosion.
This modification is great for those who want to preserve their 4×4’s differential and keep it well-lubricated, especially when driving through deep water or climbing steep terrain. The breather kit comes with everything you need including the metal tubing, clamps and seals. It has been designed to fit most vehicles on the market today so if you’ve got a Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen or Subaru then this modification will be suitable for your vehicle.
Besides replacing the differential breather, you might want to consider replacing the driveline breather as well. This modification will help keep your vehicle’s gearbox and transfer case dry when driving through deep water or climbing steep terrain. It can also prevent these components from being submerged in water – which could lead to costly repairs.
How to Choose a Replacement Breather Kit
When choosing a 4×4 diff breather kit, it’s important to take a couple of factors into consideration, including:
Price: How much you’re willing to spend on this modification will largely depend on the quality of the materials you use and the complexity of the design. If you’re willing to spend more, you can expect to end up with a higher-quality, more complex design.
Durability: The lifespan of the product and whether it will last as long as your vehicle’s differential are important considerations when choosing a differential breather.
Ease of Installation: You want to be able to install this modification yourself without any help from a mechanic. If it’s too complex then you may have to pay for someone else to do it for you – which can add to the overall cost of owning and using your vehicle.
Compatibility: You’ll want to make sure that the modification you’re considering will fit onto your vehicle without any issues. This may require some research on your part, or even talking to a professional about the best way to make the modification work for your specific vehicle.
Best Australian-Made Breather Kits
HKB Diff Breathers
HKB is one of the premium manufacturers of diff breathers and they’re known for their durability, quality design and ease of installation. They have been manufacturing these products in Australia since 1993 and their products are used by all major manufacturers including Ford, Holden, Toyota and Nissan. They offer a wide range of differential breathers that include:
The HKB DBB-A is suitable for most vehicles on the market today and fits into the drain plug hole of the differential. It’s made from stainless steel so it will last a lifetime and is finished in a black oxide coating that prevents corrosion. It has been designed with the following features:
Blackhawk Diff Breathers
Blackhawk are the leading manufacturer of diff breathers and they offer a wide range of products including: The ‘Standard’ Range which is designed for most vehicles on the market today and fits into the drain plug hole of the differential. It’s made from high-grade stainless steel so it will last a lifetime and has been finished in black oxide coating that prevents corrosion. It has been designed with the following features:
The ‘Heavy Duty’ Range is ideal for 4x4s that are used for off-road driving and features a special double seal system that has been designed to prevent oil leaks. It’s made from extra strong steel with a black oxide coating to help prevent corrosion. This range of products comes in several different sizes and you can choose between a single or dual-outlet version depending on your vehicle’s needs.
The ‘Premium’ Range is ideal for those who want to make sure their differential stays well lubricated when driving through deep water or climbing steep terrain. It’s made from high-grade stainless steel with a black oxide coating to help prevent corrosion.