Does anybody know the hex key sizes for the drain and fill plug on the 6-speed manual? I have tried all my standards, so they must be metric.

 

They are metric.....14 and 17 if I remember right. I made a tool for the drain plug out of a bolt and two nuts. Lock them down with loctite and then grind down the edges till it fits nicely.

 

I just found that same info on Wikipedia. I'll see if I can find those sizes.

Thanks.

 

The drain is 17mm you will have to make a custom tool, or remove the exhaust. I bought a 17mm tool (the old school L shaped kind, not a socket), and then cut off the last 3/4 of an inch with a hack saw. Put that in the plug, and then turn it with a 17mm ratcheting wrench (flat wrench, no curve).

Works pretty good.

 

It will dump tranny fluid all over the exhaust cross over, just spray it down with some brake/parts cleaner so it doesn't smoke.

 

Couple thoughts on tkamp's suggestions:

1. A cutoff tool is a bit quicker to cut that Allen wrench. That tool steel is hard!

2. A bit of aluminum foil on the exhaust crossover can help control the mess of draining fluid.

 

I agree.

A few years ago when I made mine I didn't own a vice to hold it, or a tool that would accept a cut off wheel. And, I can attest to just how hard that steel it, it was a chore, but sometimes you have to work with what you have.

Hadn't thought about aluminum foil. I'll have to keep that in mind for next time!

 

Thanks for all the tips.

 

You may not need a special tool. I bought a set of large socket hex tools from harbor freight. It fits the trans drain plug with no issues. I think it was 17mm. I keep it in the back of the Jeep at all times so I'll never misplace it. I think I used a 3" extension on the socket. Just the right clearance near the exhaust.

 

I'm tying to figure how this works. There's only about an inch gap between the crossover and the drain bolt. How do you fit a socket, extension and wrench into that space?