Switching all fill/drain plugs to 10m hex?

wondering if anyone had done this on a 2nd gen. Went to do my trann, difs and transfer case and all my 24mm are stripping even w/ PB blaster. looks like you could switch all the plugs to 10mm hex like the front dif.

saw this for older trucks on you tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIbb7XfYiHE

 

Why not just replace it with a new oem bolt? I'd think a hex has a better chance of stripping than a standard bolt head.

 

the stock bolt heads are very shallow and tend to get dinged by rocks and such wile driving, hex came out no problem and cant get off any of the others

 

Hi Sam, greetings from Whitefish. I think All Pro has a low profile hex replacement for the rear diff. Maybe ask them about tranny, etc...

 

Most likely has to do with the soft steel used to create the external hex (like AISI 1018) - versus the broached internal fit. Difficult to find "Socket Head" type fasteners that aren't at least SAE Gr 5 or Metric 8.8 material so they will have over twice the yield strength.

Also difficult to "mis-wrench" the internal hex as opposed to the external .......

 

For only a few bucks for the plug and washer, you might as well try it out and tell us how it goes!

 

I pop the shallow heads on the larger bolts once or twice with a hand held impact driver/socket and a hammer. I do like the OPs idea.

 

im gonna try it, can't hurt for 18 bucks for all six. and im gonna get a 6point 24mm and breaker to get the old crap ones out.

as the video shows im going to also check the depth in the cases since the hex bolts are a bit longer.

 

Worked on every plug except the transfer case drain plug was a little close to the gears for comfort, probably would have fit but didn't feel the need to risk it. I replaced it with the magnetic drain plug from the rear dif since toyota didn't see the need for a magnet on the transfer case. Gonna use the spare i bought to replace the fill plug on the front with a magnet so i have dual magnets all around!
Cost me $22 bucks for 6 plugs and washers.

 

Good find!

 

I agree, & once that hex is stripped you are in deep "do-do" However I do have a couple of Motorcycles which utilize hex bolts & I like it on them. I think with the proper torque, & given the proper attention both will work well, anytime something is neglected you can expect problems. Good Idea! I can see the advantage. jmop

 

What size bolts are they? I can't watch the video at work, but are these just bolts I could just order from McMaster-Carr?

 

plus the head are very shallow and its way easier to fit a hex socket than a 24mm impact on a breaker bar to get at the transmission fill plug. the only way i could see stripping the hex is using the wrong size like a standard not metric or a 9mm. From a few changes by the stealership i imagine, my 24mm were chewed to crap.

also stock plugs are $4-6 and these are $1.95

stock plug http://www.toyotapart.com/90341-18057.html

stock hex plug http://www.toyotapart.com/90341-24014.html

new hex plug http://www.toyotapart.com/90341-18021.html

steel gasket http://www.toyotapart.com/12157-10010.html

aluminum gasket http://www.toyotapart.com/90430-18008.html