dson wrote:
What is the purpose of the diff breather? Is it neccessary for offraod situations?
If you are driving through water which covers the diff, it's a good idea to extend the breather.
If you look at your Samurai diff (the big round part). you will see something that looks similar to a valve cover from a bicycle wheel. That is the diff breather. This allows the the diff to vent when it runs. As the diff is turning it gets hot, and the air inside expands. As the hot air expands the valve lifts and allows the hot air to escape.
Now if this were to happen when driving through water, water would get in the diff, and after a while it will cause your diff to sieze, if left unattended.
To avoid this, you normally take of the valve cover, put on a piece of hose (about 6ft) clamp it on, and run it into the cab, as high as you can basically.