How to fix drain protector (18 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