If someone wants to do the work on their own, it is a matter of getting a right tool and get it done. Just giving a hint and give the person a chance to get it done, I do believe it is the right way to help those who wants to help themselves.

 

We all have our own opinions bud.

 

Some great tips! Thanks! Yeah another +1 for removing the fill plug first! That would save a lot of heartache if the drain plug wont budge.

I finally found a socket I think will work. It's a Lowe's Kobalt Extreme Access 15/16 - 24mm spline socket. It is very short (1 11/16" tall). A 7/8 open end wrench fits on it nicely. The socket part is only 1" tall. The open end wrench fits over the 11/16 section. It was around $5.00. They had very little stock of kit/sets and wow are they pricey, so I grabbed just the single. I have enough socket sets anyway...

I haven't done it yet, but might today or tomorrow. I need to do the rear diff too (each take 1 qt if anyone doesn't know). I'll post an update when it's complete (if I can get the filler and drain plugs loose).

Yeah the dealer option would have been easy, but I like to do this stuff myself. I enjoy the challenge and I like to use Amsoil gear oil. I really like their gear oil.

 

I finally found a socket I think will work. It's a Lowe's Kobalt Extreme Access 15/16 - 24mm spline socket. It is very short (1 11/16" tall). A 7/8 open end wrench fits on it nicely. It was around $5.00.
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Yep the Lowe's socket with 7/8 wrench worked GREAT! Glad I finally got around to changing it. The OEM gear lube is THICK as molasses. It was pretty dirty too and a substantial amount of metal filings on the massive rear plug mag; hope to pick up an MPG or two by switching front and rear diffs to synthetic.

 

Good for you, Cafasco.
Non-synthetic oil should do you good for another few years.

 

24 mm combination wrench (cost more than a socket)

 

the spline socket is the answer

 

Thanks for the feedback on the socket as I could use a couple of these for various other jobs. I used to buy individual Craftsman sockets and cut the length down as needed. Buying a $5-7 Kobalt brand socket is both faster AND less expensive.

 

Anyone know if this is still available at lowes? Trying to get the job done and the nearest lowes is 40 minutes away. Website was no help.

 

Why does this need to be done? Is this needed to do the transmission fluid replacement?

 

Transfer case and rear differential gear oil change.

 

Went to lowes the other day. It does not appear that kobalt makes the xtreme access 24mm socket anymore. Please let me know if I am wrong, I would love to be wrong about this. Certainly envious of cafasco and anyone that was able to get that socket.

For now, I'm going to be sawing down a regular socket, per KLF, thanks for the idea.

 

Looks like you can order it on online. Plug in zip code, choose store, then pick ship to store or home.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/kobalt-xtre...SABEgKZ8vD_BwE

 

I bought a crow foot and 24mm wrench which both didn't fit, almost stripping the drain bolt.

Finally got this 24mm low profile, combined with a habor freight pittsburgh pro flex ratchet which worked like a charm! Was able to get enough room/leverage to take the drain bolt off. Mine was super rusted.

as someone else mentioned, get the right tools for the right job!

 

Shoot, wish I saw this before I decided to hacksaw a regular socket. I even looked at that one. It seemed shallow enough, just wasn't sure it would be strong enough <made for oil filters> for the torque of a rusted bolt.

Thanks for the reply, happy to hear that product worked!