1st Gen 97 Tacoma Front Diff oil change - Drain plug isn't 10mm - What is it?

To all the 1st Gen 97 Tacoma owners who have changed their front diff oil and found that the drain plug isn't 10mm. Is it 12mm? If not, can you let me know what it is please?
Confused why they wouldn't have a 10mm for the drain like the fill. Also, 95% sure it's the drain plug.
Thanks for any info.

 

Never heard of a different size drain plug.

It might just be stripped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFnOejt3VIU

 

Neither have I.
It doesn't look stripped. It just looks like a larger size.
Thanks for the reply.

 

IIRC they could be 10 or 12 mm depending on the year

Mine was 12mm. Use a pick or small screw driver to make sure all the crud is scraped out so you can insert the allen all the way -- if not you are risk of stripping it out

https://adventuretaco.com/a-front-diff-drain-plug-that-doesnt-suck/

 

Thanks.
The video before @7:34 said it could be a 12mm. Great suggestion about cleaning out the crud. Much appreciate!
Feeling better about this.

 

12mm! I also suggest taking a propane torch to the plug for a few seconds. That plus a breaker bar made it pretty easy.

 

Also you can give the allen socket it a few light whacks with a hammer to make sure the key is seated in the hole well enough to crank on it. Thats what i did and it worked like a charm.

 

sweet jesus thank you for that Lexus plug PN

 

Thanks everyone. Mission accomplished!

 

On my 96 it was 10, but I ordered a replacement from dealer and it ended up being 12, so it seems they changed at some point. Just get the Lexus plug and call it a day, I have so much pain from getting that plug out on my various Tacoma’s over the years

 

Thanks for the reply. I never heard about a Lexus plug. Great info though.
I googled it and found this link:
https://adventuretaco.com/a-front-diff-drain-plug-that-doesnt-suck/
Great to know and thanks again for the info/suggestion.

 

Definitely change out the front plug to the Lexus one, I still need to do this. The hex key plugs are stupid easy to strip, especially if you don't clean the dirt out of them first.
I stripped my original one and had a hell of a time getting it off after that, ended up having to notch it with a Dremel and then I was able to hammer it counter clockwise to knock it loose. Some people end up having to weld a hex key into it to get it off. Don't know who's bright idea it was to make it a hex key plug but it was a dumb one on Toyota's part lol.

 

Just added the Lexus plug to the cart.
I got the hex out, but was very very concerned during the whole process.
Cheers