Front Diff oil change

I just changed my front diff oil,and the transfer case oil for the first time since my truck was new 83000 miles. (too long I know) I have a 2011 4WD double cab long bed. I read a lot of information on this forum, which is an invaluable and awesome site, all the stories about the front diff drain plugs being a 10mm allen head and how they easily strip out, well mine were corroded to the point the allen wrench would not go in, so with a bit of liguid wrench and soak time I was able to get the wrench in, I tapped on the fill and drain plug 5 or 6 times with a fair amount of force and the fill plug came loose without to much trouble, the drain plug required a little more soak time and clean out, but it also loosened up without a problem. So thank you to all that lend their knowledge and tips,and tricks on this forum that gave me the confidence to do this job my self and save some money. Toyota wanted $115.00 per oil change times 3 is $345.00

 

That's awesome that you managed to remove those.

Little advise, always remove the fill plug first. Just in case you drain the drain bolt, and cant undo the fill. Then you will be in a pickle.

Have you heard about the lexus drain and fill plug? its a regular bolt that has a 12mm end that you fit a socket over.

 

Very good advice.

 

I always put Teflon tape on mine and never have a problem with them seizing. In all fairness though, my truck is a cream puff.

 

Two cents here. Get a extremely high quality 10 mm such as Snap On. It's Pricey and you will likely only use it for that purpose, but it's worth it and it will last forever. I've rounded out lesser quality brands. And make sure it's well seated.

 

No issues here either with oem plug, but I change the fluid every 50K, with synthetic fluid, and put anti seize on the threads. Also, I live in southern CA, so undercarriage has virtually no rust.

 

Nice to hear a story where everything works out from start to finish! When I bought mine, I ended up playing with a chisel and hammer only to find out that, despite so many other things NOT being done, the front diff had been...

 

This is the plug I bought to replace the drain plug with Toyota
90341-24016.

 

Here is all the info for drain plugs:
Differentials and Transfer Case Part #s & Info | Tacoma World

 

Thanks for this information. I will be purchasing these.

 

Welcome aboard matey and glad it all worked out

 

I got the one from Kaon. It’s stupid expensive for a drain plug like 30 bucks but I needed the removal tool anyway and I wanted all the plugs to match with the 24 mm head and that’s the only one I could find. The tool worked perfectly if anyone has a plug that’s rounded out. Why Toyota put a 24 in every other gearbox including the mt and then stuck that one stupid 10mm hex in there I’ll never know but always trust the engineers right? I have one of those Lexus plugs floating around somewhere that I never installed. If I can find it I’ll mail it to one of you guys that want one free of charge.