Lower oil pan replacement

Hey everyone, I'm new here but have been reading threads as a guest for a while. So I have a 2006 Tundra double cab and have always done my own maintenance. My last oil change I had part of the threads come off where the plug goes. I did get the plug in, with a little determination, but I'm nearing my next change and I'm afraid the plug isn't gonna cooperate a second time. Has anyone replaced the lower oil pan and is it a do it yourself job?

 

2wd or 4wd will be the biggest determining factor on how easy it is I believe.

 

Yup. It’ll probably be a PIA. I believe there’s a crossmember in the way which means you have to raise the engine to get it out. If you have 4WD then you also have the front diff to move out of the way. I’m not looking at a diagram right now so can’t say definitively if that’s the case. Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in.
Usually, people will use a threadsert and a larger plug to replace it. Next oil change try cleaning the threads and re-tapping it. Might be able to save it.

 

Thanks for the responses. It's a 2wd and I was afraid you had to lift the engine. I may try the re-tapping option and try to get a few more oil changes out of it.

 

If you can get any sealing on the bad threads, maybe think about one of those quick change valves. They thread in, and never need to unscrew, they use a lever to open to drain after installation.

 

I'll look into that. The biggest problem is the threads aren't just bad, they were literally breaking off. Luckily it was only the first of them but who knows when I take the plug out again. I appreciate the responses and suggestions.

 

Tap to the next size up, and use an appropriate sized plug. This is such a common problem that auto parts stores sell kits to do the job. Something like this:

$25 Oil Drain Plug Tap Thread Repair Kit Oil Pan Screws Rethread Tool M15

https://www.amazon.com/Drain-Thread...t=&hvlocphy=1018868&hvtargid=pla-569387221862

That one's an M15, I don't know the size of the Tundra drain plug.

 

Thanks tvpierce, I didn't know about those. I'm due for an oil change this weekend so I'm gonna look that pan over good to see what my best option is. I really like doing my own maintenance and repairs.

 

What is everyone's opinion on valvomax drain plugs?

 

It looks good, low profile and a sealed dust cap as a secondary seal. I'm not clear exactly what they called an actuator is, that pushes the check valve ball off the seat to let the oil flow. But it looks well thought out. Should be fine from that aspect. If you can repair the threads and find a device like this to match the new threads in the pan, that should be a good fix, unless there are enough threads left in your pan now, but it sounds like a tap to the next size up is in your future. Sure beats having to jack up the motor to replace the pan though.
https://www.valvomax.com/

 

I'd never heard of them, so checked out the link posted by @chunk. Looks like a well thought out product, and appears to be well made. But IMHO, needlessly complex for a Tundra. I've had vehicles where the oil drain plug was hard to reach, or that the oil when draining didn't have a clear path to the drain pan. In those cases something like this makes sense. If I was going to use one though, I think I'd go with https://www.fumotousa.com/
Whatever you decide, you're still tapping up to the next size. The valve is just adds an extra convenience feature.

 

Y'all running the long nipples or the short nipples?

 

I've never been a fan of any of these quick oil change thingies, it always seemed a solution in search of a problem. I use a new Toyota drain plug washer every drain and don't over tighten the plug. No leaks or stripped hole, of course I've never let one of those oil change apes near it in 21 years, that's probably why I still have good threads in my oil pan.

 

id like to try playing with longer nipples, short nipples are probably less exciting.

i got a bellypan idea i'm working on, and am gonna want to have all my drains accessible with a small door for the filter. Recessed plugged valves would be cool. Take the plug off, and turn the valve to drain. Plug for safely.
1/4" square socket, because i have a 4" long 1/4" drive breaker bar. If its windy, or i wanna dump it into a small neck bottle, i could stuff a hose onto the plug threads.

Think i might use my '80 fords rear 10 gal tank where the spare tire hoist resides, and the step in the bellypan could keep a quick connect valve system safeish. Kinda wanna tuck some house batteries up in the bedsides...

 

Try some Mentos, supposedly it'll do the trick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4IoXDrAfs​