Is the oil drain plug in the middle of the pan? What size is it if thats not it where is it?

 

Yep it's in the middle - don't believe you need a socket at all, just a 3/8 ratchet... Can't remember off the top of my head - only did one oil change on this truck.

 

3/8" ratchet is correct

 

tips on the filter?

 

genos sells a filter cup for use with a rachet and long extension.

i am able to stick my arm between the wheel well liner and frame and start to loosen it that way, then from underneath, spin it off.

 

Thanks folks got it all done. Went with Valvoline Premium and a Mobil 1 filter good luck to the goat with a better filter and fresh oil. MPG's here I come

 

If this is it's first oil change then let the dealer do it as the factory oil filters can be a bear to get off. As for oil filters I only use Fleetguard Stratapore so that Dodge can't complain if the filter takes a dump and screws something up inside of the engine.

 

1 tip for changing the filter is that after you get it lose slide a 1gal Ziplock bag over it then unscrew. This will stop the oil from running all over as you remove it

 

Same thing for the fuel filter. Put a bag beside the canister and drop the filter and cap into the bag. Leave the cap on as you're going to have to fool with it anyway with the new filter.

Be sure to torque the drain plug to the proper value. Over torquing is known to fracture the drain plug shoulder.

Genos has a heavy duty plug thats nice!

 

I know a guy that had his turbo fail on his 06 with 25k on it and he had it bone stock. DC denied his warranty because he had a oil filter not on their list. Somewhere floating around is the TSB about the approved oil filters. They will do absolutely anything to get out of paying for a warranty claim.

 

IIRC Dodge put out that TSB back in 2001 as Fram filters were causing a lot problems as they couldn't take the high oil pressure from a diesel engine.

 

I wouldn't use Fram for much of anything.

 

If you pull the drain plug then go do something else and let the oil drain for about 20 or 30 minutes, the oil will drain out of the filter housing and you will get no spillage when you take the filter off .

 

I just did that last night. It pulls a good inch of oil out of the top of the filter. Makes it real easy to get the filter out w/o spilling all over yourself.