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Yeah, royal PITA!! I spent 3 hours just trying to get that one plug open. WD-40, the hammer method, and a 3ft HD socket wrench being torqued by my 3-ton floor jack finally broke it free. Super lucky that it didn’t strip cause I don’t have a welder. I’m definitely gonna buy the Lexus plug for the next change.The front diff drain is notorious for being locked up and the head stripping out due to the small internal 10mm hex (Allen) design. Make sure you have a new drain plug on hand, or better yet the Lexus part posted elsewhere on this board. It has a 14mm external hex. Yes this happens on totally rust free trucks.
Also bookmark some threads on how others got theirs loose. Hammer and chisel can work if you are very careful. Personally I prefer welding a nut to the head where the heat helps loosen up whatever makes them stick.
I know Toyota sources these gear boxes and axles from suppliers, but it would have been a handy engineering exercise to use the same plug and gasket on all drain and fill plugs. Simple to do when writing the specifications for the assemblies. The chief engineer should have demanded it.
BTW, I used Red Line MT-LV in the transfer case. Early indications are very good. Might be in my head, but don’t think I’ve ever seen the center diff or 4Lo engage so quickly and effortlessly. Time will tell, but I’m hoping I’ll stop getting the occasional stuck center diff that’s plagued me in the past.
I agree. I would have gone with the OE fluid, but the dealer couldn’t get it and I couldn’t find anywhere online.