Upgrades for the Front Differential fill/drain bolt plugs?

I managed to get my fill bolt loose without much marring, but I can tell I'm going to end up mangling my drain plug when extracting it. Ordered a couple new OEM parts for cheap but wouldn't mind some nicer replacements.

Normally I'd use GoldPlugs but they only offer a oil pan drain plug, and I'm going with Fumoto for that. Any other brands or links anyone else could share that they've used or liked?

 

There’s an Aussie company KAON that sell replacement plugs that won’t strip but they are pricey

 

Are there fumoto valves available for the front diff drain threads?

 

I’ve done mine a couple times without issue - what makes you think it won’t come off clean? Hit it with a torch first if you’re worried.

 

I welded a socket onto the diff drain plug, I'd say that's about the best upgrade possible

 

My truck's a 2016, I've only owned it since August this year, so I'm unsure when the last change was, but good odds that it's been a few years. The hole's not stripped on the plug bolt, but it's marred, and I couldn't get it to turn even with a good breaker bar and using my leg laying on my back holding onto the tow hooks, lol. Have another OEM one on the way but wouldn't mind using something better for next time. I'm going straight to

TEKTON 1/2" Drive Impact Screwdriver Set (7-Piece) | 2910

my impact and hammer next, see if I can't get it to come loose before I get desperate. My impact setup's removed some pretty gnarly retention screws from rusty rotors when doing brake changes, but I'd really rather avoid this struggle in the future.

 

With the magnet on the drain plug, I wouldn't go for a Fumoto on differentials myself.

 

This is what I plan on doing next Diff oil change, seems like a no brainer.



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

 

Brilliant, this is great. I've gone for the KAON drain plug, but I'll grab that 90341-18060 fill plug replacement for certain, thanks very much!

 

Good point didn't think about that.

 

I noticed that it important on the front differential fill plug that you get your allen wrench seated all the way.

 

Yeah I'm not a huge fan of the design in a location where small holes like that gather debris. Problem solved with replacement upgrades on the way, even cancelled my OEM replacement set order now that I've got better ones coming.

 

Isn’t there a much stouter Lexus plug that people put on their front diffs? I thought I remembered reading about it somewhere on here…

Edited to quote:

 

It's been linked in this thread!

 

Just realized that’s what @TILLY posted.

 

I just discovered I got over-eager and have two new fill plugs coming, the drain plug's been replaced now with the Lexus part and is great stuff. So if anyone else needs a new fill plug upgrade, let me know, got a spare here.

 

Ill be doing my fluids soon did you get the one linked above?

 

Sure did, two of the 90341-18060 fill plugs on the way.

 

Changing the fluids in mine in a couple weeks. Id take that extra one off your hands!

 

Alrighty, I'll drop you a note when I get them and we'll work it out

 

Sent you a message, received the second fill plug already. If you don't want it let me know and I'll see if anyone else is interested!

 

Confirmed I have one of these fill plugs available if anyone wants it, asking $15 via verified PayPal to get it to your door. My local Lexus/Toyota dealership wanted that much just in shipping to their local parts counter, and the cheapest on eBay is $34, but anyway let me know if you stumble across this thread and need it.

 

I’ll take it. PM Me your PayPal

 

I've done mine 3 times, with the right tool, there is no issue. Also, I torque them to spec.

 

Well well, I ended up with a second drain bolt too, anyone need a nice Kaon?

 

FML. 1.5 years and 29k miles later, went to change front diff, and the Lexus part stripped like cheese. I don't weld so I'll have my local shop extract the motherf'r. Back to the Toyota 10mm hex, sigh. My deep 6-point impact 14mm fit nice and snug, but the part just wasn't up to the task at all.

Fill plug came loose just as easily this time around too, lolz. Guess it's something to do with our salty roads around here.

 

Well that sucks, you're the first one I've heard of having a problem with the Lexus plug. That plugs pretty beefy, did it round out?

 

That sucks. I'd guess the salt is right.

On my LX, I had to use my foot on a pry bar after heating the front diff drain plug to get it off. It hadn't ever been taken off in 149k miles. It wasn't until I put a camping torch on it for longer than I thought prudent that it finally broke loose. I was POSITIVE it was going to strip anyway.

The torch worked on the flare nuts on the LX's brakes lines, too.

 

Very nearly, it clearly wasn't going to get any looser and my tools are just taking chunks of metal out of it. I'll snap a photo of it later.

Best I can figure, I got sold a fake part, cause this is pretty bad, hot garbage. I heated a few cycles and can't get leverage underneath to smack it with a chisel so I'll let someone with a lift get at it.