How to fix drain protector (12 Viewers)

[COS80]

I just discovered that my rear axle drain plug got unscrewed, presumably on Tin Cup Pass last weekend. I'm grateful that it only lost 7 oz. of fluid. The protective ring has taken several hits, and it clearly needs to be replaced, but how? Torch off, weld in pipe?

 

[Marvelicious]

I don't know the diameter offhand and I'm way too lazy right now to go outside with a pair of calipers, but... if you could find a piece of pipe or tube that's ID is close to the OD of the original ring, why not double up? New ring around old ring.

 

[COS80]

Good idea. It is something like 1 7/8" OD. I'm not confident in that, but my neck's shot for today.

 

[Rifleman]

When you do this repair you might want to think about ordering some factory Toyota Allen head drain plugs from Kurt at CRUISERTEQ.COM that sit a little lower in that ring then the old style hex plugs do, plus they come with a Magnet. At only $6.25 a piece that's a hell of a deal.

Magnetic Drain & Fill Plug With Gasket - Fits 1958+ Land Cruiser Applications (See Guide Below) (OP18021)

Magnetic Drain & Fill Plug With Gasket - Fits 1958+ Land Cruiser Applications (See Guide Below) (OP18021)

cruiserteq.com

 

[COS80]

Good tip, thanks.

Anyone know what the Toyota p/n is? I'll be placing a parts order soon, and I could just add it to that.

 

[baldilocks]

It looks like you could use some weld on differential armor. You could weld on a double layer of 1/4” thick plate around the area of the drain plug essentially forming a skid ramp around the plug with would be recessed nicely. I did this on my 80 probably ten years ago. Since that time I’ve ground them down built it back up with weld deposits.

 

[COS80]

It looks like you could use some weld on differential armor. You could weld on a double layer of 1/4” thick plate around the area of the drain plug essentially forming a skid ramp around the plug with would be recessed nicely. I did this on my 80 probably ten years ago. Since that time I’ve ground them down built it back up with weld deposits.

That's actually a really good idea. Did you make yours from scratch or did you use one of the prefab/weld-on kits?

 

[baldilocks]

That's actually a really good idea. Did you make yours from scratch or did you use one of the prefab/weld-on kits?

I used the nose bash plate for the front diff from Rough Stuff. And made my own
concotion for the under side. Same for the rear.

 

[jfz80]

Good tip, thanks.

Anyone know what the Toyota p/n is? I'll be placing a parts order soon, and I could just add it to that.

I have my doubts that’s a serviceable part/item from Toyota but you could give this one a go from @cruiserpatch

Toyota solid axle differential drain plug armor weld-on protective rin

The drain plugs on Toyota's solid axles take a beating when off-roaded heavily. Protect your plugs with the Cruiser Patch weld-on drain plug ring cut from 1/2" steel here in the USA. Includes: Cruiser Patch differential drain plug protector (1x) Fitment details: Fits all Toyota solid axle...

www.cruiserpatch.com

 

[COS80]

I have my doubts that’s a serviceable part/item from Toyota but you could give this one a go from @cruiserpatch

Toyota solid axle differential drain plug armor weld-on protective rin

The drain plugs on Toyota's solid axles take a beating when off-roaded heavily. Protect your plugs with the Cruiser Patch weld-on drain plug ring cut from 1/2" steel here in the USA. Includes: Cruiser Patch differential drain plug protector (1x) Fitment details: Fits all Toyota solid axle...

www.cruiserpatch.com

I meant the plug. I already have a ring cut and ready to go.

 

[Marvelicious]

I believe the plug is 90341-18021, but doesn't include the washer. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's the same thread pattern for most if not all the drain plugs - diffs, t-case, etc...

 

[COS80]

I believe the plug is 90341-18021, but doesn't include the washer. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's the same thread pattern for most if not all the drain plugs - diffs, t-case, etc...

I have a whole bag of washers. I learned that lesson pretty quick.

 

[cts]

The ring around my rear diff fill plug was scraped up and the previous owner had already put in one of the Allen head drain plugs. These weld-on protective rings are a nice discovery and I'll add those to both diffs.

The problem I'm having is that I can't get a good seal with the drain plug. It was leaking after I replaced the diff oil, so I drained the oil, took a closer look, and discovered that the mating surface on the diff housing was rough. I assume that the prior hit to the stock drain plug had gouged the surface. I tried using a new copper washer that had slightly more surface area and was likely a little softer than the stock washer, but its still leaking. Any ideas on what to try next? I considered putting a little RTV on the back of the washer, but I'm worried it would be tough to remove the next time I change the diff oil.

 

[COS80]

Welding and grinding is probably the best fix for that.

 

[jonheld]

Both of my diff drain plugs had been ground down to almost nothing. Even the face of the allen head was almost paper thin.
I had my local hot rod shop grind off what was left of the old rings and weld in a thin piece of chromoly pipe for both.
All cleaned up with new plugs and crush washers.

Front diff with an added ramp.

Rear diff

 

[cruiserpatch]

I’ve worn my rear plug protector down several times. I just weld on a new ring when necessary

I use the 10mm allen head plugs as some have mentioned here. They’re easier to remove since you don’t need space to get a socket around them.

(photos of damage in product listing below)

OEM Toyota Low-Profile Magnetic Differential Plug Kit (10mm Allen)

*One kit required for one vehicle. Anytime you re-gear your truck or start breaking components (such as gears, axle shafts, etc) simple preventative measures can be taken to improve the lifespan of your driveline components. Adding magnetic diff fill plugs will recover more shavings than a plain...

www.cruiserpatch.com

 

[alia176]

i did this on my front housing. I made this on a lathe but a thick wall pipe with the right ID can be slipped over what you have now then weld it up. Assuming yours hasn't mushroomed itself! Just grind smoothish the mushroomed part, get the pipe piece and use a BFH to install before welding!

 

[LC4LIFE]

This has been used before. It can be used on the front with a bit of a big hammer too.

Toyota 9.5" Landcruiser Diff Armor

Heavy duty differential armor made specifically to fit the 9.5" Toyota Landcruiser axle. This is not repurposed 8" diff armor, it is cut and formed specifically to fit the Toyota heavy-duty 9.5" axles found on most older Land Cruisers. Includes one of each pieces as pictured. This is enough to...

moto-farkles.myshopify.com

this one too -

Toyota 8 inch Front Axle Bottom Skid Plate

ballisticfabrication.com

 

[COS80]

Wow,.only $75? I'm doing that.