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Upgrades for the Front Differential fill/drain bolt plugs?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by MedCityMoto, Nov 25, 2022.

  1. Nov 25, 2022 at 5:21 AM
    #1
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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?
     
  2. Nov 25, 2022 at 6:34 AM
    #2
    bfunke

    bfunke Tundra Curmudgeon

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    There’s an Aussie company KAON that sell replacement plugs that won’t strip but they are pricey
     
    texasrho83 likes this.
  3. Nov 25, 2022 at 7:37 AM
    #3
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Are there fumoto valves available for the front diff drain threads?
     
    MedCityMoto[OP] and BTBAKER like this.
  4. Nov 25, 2022 at 7:58 AM
    #4
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140 / 2.5 gen plebe

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    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.
     
  5. Nov 25, 2022 at 8:04 AM
    #5
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I welded a socket onto the diff drain plug, I'd say that's about the best upgrade possible :D
     
    Terndrerrr, Snaz, bulldog93 and 3 others like this.
  6. Nov 25, 2022 at 10:27 AM
    #6
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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 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.
     
  7. Nov 25, 2022 at 10:35 AM
    #7
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    With the magnet on the drain plug, I wouldn't go for a Fumoto on differentials myself.
     
  8. Nov 25, 2022 at 10:41 AM
    #8
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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  9. Nov 25, 2022 at 11:05 AM
    #9
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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  10. Nov 25, 2022 at 12:51 PM
    #10
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    Good point didn't think about that.
     
  11. Nov 26, 2022 at 4:28 AM
    #11
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper Not a new member

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    I noticed that it important on the front differential fill plug that you get your allen wrench seated all the way.
     
  12. Nov 26, 2022 at 5:03 AM
    #12
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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.
     
  13. Nov 26, 2022 at 7:35 AM
    #13
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr 933000 miles to go

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    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:
     
  14. Nov 26, 2022 at 7:36 AM
    #14
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    It's been linked in this thread!
     
    GODZILLA and Terndrerrr[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Nov 26, 2022 at 7:38 AM
    #15
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr 933000 miles to go

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    Just realized that’s what @TILLY posted. :thumbsup:
     
  16. Dec 8, 2022 at 12:47 PM
    #16
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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.
     
    RustyShackle323 likes this.
  17. Dec 8, 2022 at 12:56 PM
    #17
    reywcms

    reywcms New Member

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    Too many mods to come

    Ill be doing my fluids soon did you get the one linked above?
     
  18. Dec 8, 2022 at 3:41 PM
    #18
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    Sure did, two of the 90341-18060 fill plugs on the way.
     
  19. Dec 8, 2022 at 3:46 PM
    #19
    RustyShackle323

    RustyShackle323 New Member

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    Changing the fluids in mine in a couple weeks. Id take that extra one off your hands!
     
  20. Dec 8, 2022 at 3:47 PM
    #20
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    Alrighty, I'll drop you a note when I get them and we'll work it out
     
  21. Dec 13, 2022 at 9:43 PM
    #21
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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!
     
  22. Dec 14, 2022 at 6:26 AM
    #22
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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.
     
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  23. Dec 14, 2022 at 2:20 PM
    #23
    gabex35

    gabex35 2020 Limited 4x4 with mods coming...

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    I’ll take it. PM Me your PayPal
     
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  24. Dec 14, 2022 at 2:32 PM
    #24
    matictundra

    matictundra New Member

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    I've done mine 3 times, with the right tool, there is no issue. Also, I torque them to spec.
     
  25. Dec 27, 2022 at 8:54 PM
    #25
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    Well well, I ended up with a second drain bolt too, anyone need a nice Kaon?
     
  26. Dec 27, 2022 at 8:55 PM
    #26
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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  27. Mar 14, 2024 at 4:34 PM
    #27
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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.
     
  28. Mar 14, 2024 at 5:28 PM
    #28
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    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?
     
  29. Mar 14, 2024 at 5:29 PM
    #29
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr 933000 miles to go

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    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.
     
  30. Mar 14, 2024 at 6:22 PM
    #30
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto [OP] SciTech Nerd

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    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.
     
    TILLY[QUOTED] likes this.

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