Front Differential Drain and Fill Plug Tool Sizes

I have a 1998 TRD. The drain and fill plugs in my front differential appear to be larger than the 10mm hex (allen) key that I have. Before I make a long trip to purchase a 12mm hex key, I'd really appreciate it if somebody please verify that a 12mm will work and if not, then what size do I need??

 

I think the fill is 10mm and the drain is 12mm

 

Shit is hard as hell to get off. You will need an extention to get more torque. Also helps if you get some compressed air and spray it upside down on the plug to freeze it. I put an entire can on mine.

 

I think part of the japs revenge plan for us nukeing them involved the design of the front diff fill plug on the taco. Its an enormous pain to get off and even hard to do without stripping it out. Its almost easier to fill it through the vent tube!!

 

Tool size for the fill plug is ten millimeters, tool size for the drain plug is twelve millimeters. I've found various specs for the torque on the various drain and fill plugs, so I just torque everything to 30 pound-feet.

 

Where is the front fill plug? I see the drain plug, but can't seem to find the fill. May be all the mud caked everywhere

 

Fill is on the front of the diff. My drain plug has been stuck for years, twisted my Allen socket trying to remove it. So I use an oil extractor and just suck the oil out through the fill plug, then fill it back up.

 

I did mine after I bout my 2004 and it must have been tightened by Hercules himself. Fack was it ever tight, it started to strip (drain bolt) and then I said a few prayers and re grouped and bam it broke free. Had a large box end wrench for leverage over the end of my ratchet, it was bending the wrench.

Put synthetic in and hope you sell it before you need to do it again. What a pain, the trans, transfer case, and rear diff were sooooooo much easier!

 

i found a removal tool when Allen is strip out fill and drain is 10mm wide site is KAON.COM.AU this is amazing tool and a socket head replacement puog

 

i just did this on my 01 and both drain and fill were 10mm. seems like some people's trucks are 10 and 12.
10mm is commonly sold at parts stores but i had to go hunt for a 12mm and didn't even need it.

 

T55 fits better than 10mm (2001 Tacoma TRD). Once out I could see it really is a T55. I did get both out with a 10mm, but once out it clearly takes a T55. Wonder if that is why everyone complains about rounding problems? Plan on a long breaker bar (30"?).

 

I used a torx too when mine started to strip. Much better grip, had to hammer it in though.