Hey all this may be a silly question but I am trying to D/F my front diff in my 97' and the drain plug requires a 12mm alan/hex key.

The only thing I am worried about is finding one?!?! I have been to autozone, pep boys, checker, napa, 2 local tool shops and have yet to find a 12mm hex. For those of you that have done this yoruselves where abouts did you guys get your tools?

Thanks in advance,

austin

 

did you try home depot/lowes/sears? i would think they have a better selection than autozone or pepboys.

 

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00946667000

 

Wow, I guess I will have to be buying this from the internet then. The local sears did not have anything like that. Thanks guys!

 

You might also find it as a socket. I have a set of Craftsman hex sockets that go larger than 12mm, although I can't find them on Sears site.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...&bidsite=CRAFT

 

I would double check the size, I have the hex socket drain plugs on my '85 (some from a 3rd gen 4Runner) and they are 10mm:



You can also get an allen socket:



I find these easier to use in the larger sizes than the L-shaped keys.

 

My friend ran into that same problem for his 98, i think he ended up finding one at harbor freight tools.

 

Definitely double check the size, my 98 Taco takes a 10 mm on the front diff. I bought the allen socket at Advance Auto, trust me, you are going to need the extra leverage you will get out of the longer handle on the ratchet, I don't think I could have done it with a little allan wrench! That thing was on there TIGHT!

 

My '99 is also a 10mm. I found my allen socket at sears.

 

I got mine at Sears too. It was in stock.

 

it is a 10mm sized head... i currently have 7 of the bolts in the garage

 

Ok well let me update you all:

I fell like and idiot but when I went down there the botton drain bolt (which is 12mm on 96-98 4runnners) it was a little mangled. Ofcourse I am on a time limit so I decided to try and get her done anyway. Needless to say you all prolly know what happened... It is now stripped pretty badly and I think my only option now is to get it taken to a machine shop or something cause I just dont know how this sucker is gonna come out.

I think maybe if I had a socket type 13mm hex head I could hammer it in and get it loose, but otherwise it ain't comin out and Im pretty bummed. What do you all suggest I do now?

Next question is... if I can get this out I definitely don't want it back in: so... can I buy a newer drain plug from a 99+ that uses 10mm (or Taco plug) or something? I am wondering if they are all teh same sized holes and the only difference is really in the plug size itself. I would much rather get a 10mm drain plug and use it once this thing is out; I jsut have to figure out if I can get it out myself.

Thanks in advance!

 

One way to go is to find a short bolt that will jam into the socket on the drain plug (like 1/2" or so) and then have someone weld the bolts to the plug. Then you can use a socket on the bolt head to break it loose. Then you could take it with you to pick up a replacement plug of whatever size you choose.

 

i tried the welding on a nut to my fill plug on my tranny... all i did was break the weld... eventually i busted out the air chisel... came off in 10 seconds!

yes, the tacoma plug will work on your truck.... www.marlincrawler.com has them, however, its cheaper to source them from other places like www.1sttoyotaparts.com or www.trdparts4u.com

i got all 8 washers and drainplugs shipped to me for less than $20