LUVTruck.com

Okay, here's what happened. Unscrewed the drain plug on the transmission and drained out all the oil. When I tried to remove the filler plug, it was frozen solid and then I proceeded to strip it to all hell. I noticed that there is a smaller plug up towards the top of the tranny, can I put the oil in there? If not, what next? Thanks, RF

i had the same problem with mine and I filled it through the shifter hole on top.. two 12mm bolts and pour it in...

Roadshow, that is exactly what I just did!! I was sitting there thinking what a pain in the ass removing the tranny was going to be and then a redneck lightblub light above my head. It was almost too easy, I swear, the damn filler plug must have been JB welded in or something. Now onto the diff......RF

When I saw the title of this post I thought to myself: "STEP 1, Get the filler plug out first, make sure you can get oil back in before you drain any out"

Since you are already past that step , I'd go with Bob's recommendation. Filling from the top is so much easier than filling with a hand pump in that dumb side hole.

For getting that fill plug out, before it is stripped I recommend getting a six point socket that fits it right (22mm?) and a nice long flex handle/breaker bar. As you know, it is tight in there and likes to strip off the head. After it is stripped, the biggest dang pipe wrench you can get under the truck with, or grind/file two flat parallel sides on the remains of the plug and get the biggest crescent wrench you can find (a 24 incher works wonders) and turn it out. It is not uncommon on a LUV for that fill plug to be buggered up when you get it, and also pretty typical for it to have been in there for at least 3-4X the recommended service interval on the trans fluid.

Just another FYI to everyone, same step 1 goes for the diffs, make sure the fill plug comes out before you drain it. Probably even more critical there as you don't have much for other options to refill it like on the trans.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

You are right 800xl, my first thought when the filler plug stripped was "WOW, now there is no oil in my tranny and I cant fill it back up!" After I got done with the tranny by filling it in at the shifter, I went back to my diff...this time I did get the filler first, but wouldn't you know it, somebody else had been at the drain plug and stripped it out. Thanks for the tip about filing two edges and then using a pipe wrench, I have a big SOB that might just do the trick. Man, this forum is a lifesaver, RF.

Hey, I've been right there myself. I rode my bike to the store to buy a 24 inch breaker bar for the fill plug on my Trooper. I drained the trans and then realized I could not break the fill plug loose.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

If you got enough room in there you might give the plug a few smacks, it might help knock it loose...

_________________
Looking for that special LUV.

Two other suggestions come to mind. 1. Try tightening first just enuf to break it loose before loosening. 2. Clamp on visegrips as tight as you can get them and then put a cheater pipe over the knurled adjustment lock knob for extra leverage.

Anyone know where we can buy replacement plugs? My tranny fill plug and my diff drain plug are pretty much done. Once I get them out I would like to replace them, along with putting some anti-seize on the threads! Thanks, RF.

Don't forget the PB Blaster too. That stuff sinks but it works pretty good.

_________________
OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

PB Blaster had nothing on these bolts, sprayed it and let it sit for hours, still no give. These things are welded on, I swear. Reminds me of when I rebuilt my old Luv's engine and broke 3 of the head bolts off in the head. RF

Hahaha, I think the only bolts that hold on tighter than the tranny and diff filler plugs are the crankshaft pulley bolt and the head bolt between the #2 and #3 Cylinders on the exhaust side. I drilled the top off that head bolt on the last one I took apart.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good