Coolant drain plug

[KathysToyota]

Hello
I am working on a 2008 4Runner. Has 24K on the odo, winter is on it's way and I was looking at the coolant. Time to flush! Was done last year and the red is starting to fade a bit. Now, here's my problem. Where is the radiator drain plug? It took me a bit to find the oil drain plug, but I did find it.
There are skid plates under the engine, do these need to come off?
On other vehicles I've worked on the plug has been a hex key (jeep liberty), a philips head screwdriver (ford van & nissan altima) and a side facing valve (saturn sl1).
What does the thing need to turn and do I need to pack a special tool (ie long screwdriver, metric hex, etc).
A bit of more info, I can't work on the vehicle at home (I live in a condo complex, condo nazis say 'no no no' to vehicle maintenance. I have to pack tools, fluids, beer, etc and head to a friend's house.
Thanks for the info, I will share in the future as I learn more about the vehicle.

[TrailDust]

to Toyota Nation!

Here's a past thread with information about that.

[nim]

rad drain plug is a white plastic item at the lower left of the rad as viewed from driver's seat. you might be able to unscrew it from above but you'll almost be face down in the engine bay! put a piece of plastic vinyl tubing through access hole in splash shield to guide fluid into catch pan. if all else fails, remove front splash shield. remove rear two bolts first (which releases tension), then remove front two bolts and tilt shield out toward front of vehicle. there are two tangs at front of shield that insert into frame. i've located right engine block drain, view it through right wheelwell with flashlight past rubber splashshield. it can be opened through wheelwell with a 10mm socket and a bunch of extensions taped together. again, guide some vinyl tubing through wheelwell and attach it to draincock from engine bay with a long needlenose and route tube to your drainpan. the block drain is brass, don't overtighten it. i haven't done this yet but have figured out this method to use. good luck to you. haynes says capacity is 10.7 qts. you might not drain this amount but be safe and have three gallons of replacement coolant handy. use toyota super long life 50/50 pink. don't forget to drain the coolant reservoir and fill it to full line so your engine can pull the level down after a few drive cycles.

[KathysToyota]

Many thanks, the color description is very helpful! Looks like it's time to get some extentions...at least longer ones...

[KathysToyota]

Thanks buddy....very helpful. We haven't had this vehicle very long and it's still a bit of a mystery to me as to maintenance and where everything is...

[coontai]

seems very premature for a flush to me...

[luker2400]

Does anyone know the size of the white radiator drain plug? I can't find a hex key to fit it and need to buy one.