Transmission drain plug install.

kozy · 11-04-2009, 11:42 AM

I'm doing the first fluid change on the auto in a couple weeks and I ordered a magnet and drain plug from Geno's when I got the filters.

I'd like to carefully drill a small hole in the pan (where I plan to put the new drain plug) BEFORE I drop it to drain some fluid and hopefully prevent a god awful mess.

Question is, where in the lowest part of the pan should the drain go? Are there any internals that hang low in the pan that the new plug and magnet might interfere with? Anyone got a pic or measurement?

Oh, I'm sure this is probably in a sticky somewhere but how much fluid does the 68RFE hold?

__________________
'07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

Last edited by kozy : 11-04-2009 at 11:45 AM.

***dad2bike*** · 11-04-2009, 12:30 PM

I would NOT in any way drill the pan while it is on. If the bit catches the consequences are really really bad. Take the few minutes and drain the pan in the conventional way. Use some patience and there is little mess. A large pan helps too.
The mess you get when that drill bit punches thru... Well, can you have somebody around with a camera, if you do drill????

__________________
Tom
2008 Quad-Cab,LB, 2500, 6.7L, 4X4, White/Kaki, Big-Horn, 3.73 Auto, AS flash, K&N Air Filter, no baffle, Testing in progress- step 4, Stealth DPF, Smarty sw3 PMT gauges. Mag-Hytec Pan & Diff covers.Toms smarty Journal ....... DIY Deletes How-To

Stealth is the WORD!

AsphaltCowboy · 11-04-2009, 12:36 PM

Take a plastic trash can lid and cut a 1" square hole in the middle of it and set it over your drain pan. This will give you enough surface area to catch most all of the fluid without the mess.

__________________
09 2500 QC 6.7L 68RFE Auto. 4:10, 2.5" HBS Leveling Kit, 1.5"-Add A-Leaf,17x9 Moto Metal Wheels, 35x12.50R17 Procomp Xterrain, Bushwacker Pocket Flares

kozy · 11-04-2009, 01:52 PM

I'm only talking an 1/8" hole and then leave it to drain for a while. If it were a bigger bit I'd be worried about it catching like they always do when going through something thin. I guess I could use the trash can lid trick. So what about location? Does anyone have any ideas as to where to put the new drain? Or are you all just more concerned with seeing me with a face full of ATF?

__________________
'07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

-lenny- · 11-04-2009, 03:45 PM

While the face full of ATF would be pretty darn funny, I would not feel good about drilling a hole in the pan while it is still on the truck. There is not a whole lot of space there. It doesn't make a huge mess when you take the pan off, you just need to be ready to catch the fluid. Once the pan is off the truck, I would think the bottom rear would be the best place for the plug. Just my thoughts...

__________________
08 MC 3500 68RFE
Mostly Stock

tkhan · 11-04-2009, 03:59 PM

I would put a small level on the bottom and see which way the fluid will flow where you plan to park your truck on the driveway. You could drill a hole, it is very unliley that you are going to damage anything. Just be gingerly, go slow and use a good sharp bit. But beware, the oil will not only run down but drip off sideways across the bottom of the pan.

I did not bother doing this, I just got a PML aluminum pan that has a side magnetic drain plug. Holds 4 more quarts and has cooling fins to help cool the oil down. Towing my 8000 trailer at 75 mph the temps never broke 161 degrees, when it was 90 degrees outside.

__________________
08-2500 QC-LWB - 4x4 - 68re, Smarty 67-ME, MP-8, ISSpro EV2 boost gauge, Edge Insight

kozy · 11-04-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -lenny-

While the face full of ATF would be pretty darn funny, I would not feel good about drilling a hole in the pan while it is still on the truck. There is not a whole lot of space there. It doesn't make a huge mess when you take the pan off, you just need to be ready to catch the fluid. Once the pan is off the truck, I would think the bottom rear would be the best place for the plug. Just my thoughts...

Thanks for the input, I figured there probably isn't alot of clearance between the pan and internals hence my concern with where to mount the drain. I've thought up a way to mount my large catch pan to my floor jack so I can jack it up close to the trans. and minimize the risk of making a huge bloody mess. I'll do that and then determine where to put the magnet and drain after the pan is cleaned up.

I searched and found mention of 16 qts. of fluid for this trans. Is that right? And how much can I expect to actually get out/replace if I can't drain anything out of the TC? Lastly, is there a reusable gasket on the oem pan or do I have to RTV it?

Thanks for all the input, appreciate it.

__________________
'07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

tkhan · 11-04-2009, 05:19 PM

I I added 13 quarts with the 4 extra quart pan. They dont use gaskets anymore, just clean and apply RTV.

__________________
08-2500 QC-LWB - 4x4 - 68re, Smarty 67-ME, MP-8, ISSpro EV2 boost gauge, Edge Insight

kozy · 11-04-2009, 05:50 PM

Right on, thanks.

__________________
'07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

feduptrucking · 11-06-2009, 03:14 PM

dont forget your tranny filters while there, also do not overtighten pan bolts or you will strip threads and have leaks, use a torque wrench for good measure.

-lenny- · 11-07-2009, 03:00 AM

When I put my Mag Hytec tranny cover on, the instructions said to torque the fasteners to between 7 and 9 foot pounds. I put blue loctite on them, and re torqued after a couple days of driving. No leaks, no problems.

__________________
08 MC 3500 68RFE
Mostly Stock

DWRDodge6.7 · 11-07-2009, 12:11 PM

If you do not want to step up for an after market pan, get yourself a B&M drain plug kit or a Mopar replacement drain plug for a 4.0 L Jeep, or a 5.2L or 5.9 L V8 and a nut that fits the plug threads.
If you use the B&M it is a sandwich deal. Just follow the instructions,after removing your oil pan.
I used the second option, removed the oil pan, drilled a hole slightly bigger than the Mopar drain plug and welded the nut to the inside of the pan lined up with the hole, of course. The hole is located near the rear centre of the pan. Install the drain plug from the outside of the pan and you're good to go. I've used this setup on several transmissions for over 20 years.
You could use any bolt and a gasket but the Mopar plug has a built in gasket.

__________________
'07 Dodge 2500 QC SLT TRX4 Offroad 4x4 SB 6.7 Auto my DD. '08 Jeep GC Laredo Active QDII 3.0 L Diesel my wife's DD. '65 Dodge Polara 880 Convertible 383 hp Automatic. '98 Jeep ZJ. '98 Jeep XJ.

11-04-2009, 11:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
kozy Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Mcmurray / Cold Lake AB Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts kozy's Truck Pics	Transmission drain plug install. I'm doing the first fluid change on the auto in a couple weeks and I ordered a magnet and drain plug from Geno's when I got the filters. I'd like to carefully drill a small hole in the pan (where I plan to put the new drain plug) BEFORE I drop it to drain some fluid and hopefully prevent a god awful mess. Question is, where in the lowest part of the pan should the drain go? Are there any internals that hang low in the pan that the new plug and magnet might interfere with? Anyone got a pic or measurement? Oh, I'm sure this is probably in a sticky somewhere but how much fluid does the 68RFE hold? __________________ '07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me. Last edited by kozy : 11-04-2009 at 11:45 AM.

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11-04-2009, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
*dad2bike* For a good time- Smarty Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 5,399 Thanks: 270 Thanked 431 Times in 295 Posts dad2bike's Truck Pics	I would NOT in any way drill the pan while it is on. If the bit catches the consequences are really really bad. Take the few minutes and drain the pan in the conventional way. Use some patience and there is little mess. A large pan helps too. The mess you get when that drill bit punches thru... Well, can you have somebody around with a camera, if you do drill???? __________________ Tom 2008 Quad-Cab,LB, 2500, 6.7L, 4X4, White/Kaki, Big-Horn, 3.73 Auto, AS flash, K&N Air Filter, no baffle, Testing in progress- step 4, Stealth DPF, Smarty sw3 PMT gauges. Mag-Hytec Pan & Diff covers.Toms smarty Journal ....... DIY Deletes How-To Stealth is the WORD!

11-04-2009, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
AsphaltCowboy Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts AsphaltCowboy's Truck Pics	Take a plastic trash can lid and cut a 1" square hole in the middle of it and set it over your drain pan. This will give you enough surface area to catch most all of the fluid without the mess. __________________ 09 2500 QC 6.7L 68RFE Auto. 4:10, 2.5" HBS Leveling Kit, 1.5"-Add A-Leaf,17x9 Moto Metal Wheels, 35x12.50R17 Procomp Xterrain, Bushwacker Pocket Flares

11-04-2009, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
kozy Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Mcmurray / Cold Lake AB Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts kozy's Truck Pics	I'm only talking an 1/8" hole and then leave it to drain for a while. If it were a bigger bit I'd be worried about it catching like they always do when going through something thin. I guess I could use the trash can lid trick. So what about location? Does anyone have any ideas as to where to put the new drain? Or are you all just more concerned with seeing me with a face full of ATF? __________________ '07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

11-04-2009, 03:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
-lenny- Diesel Freak Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brooks Alberta Posts: 724 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts -lenny-'s Truck Pics	While the face full of ATF would be pretty darn funny, I would not feel good about drilling a hole in the pan while it is still on the truck. There is not a whole lot of space there. It doesn't make a huge mess when you take the pan off, you just need to be ready to catch the fluid. Once the pan is off the truck, I would think the bottom rear would be the best place for the plug. Just my thoughts... __________________ 08 MC 3500 68RFE Mostly Stock

11-04-2009, 03:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
tkhan Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 190 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts tkhan's Truck Pics	I would put a small level on the bottom and see which way the fluid will flow where you plan to park your truck on the driveway. You could drill a hole, it is very unliley that you are going to damage anything. Just be gingerly, go slow and use a good sharp bit. But beware, the oil will not only run down but drip off sideways across the bottom of the pan. I did not bother doing this, I just got a PML aluminum pan that has a side magnetic drain plug. Holds 4 more quarts and has cooling fins to help cool the oil down. Towing my 8000 trailer at 75 mph the temps never broke 161 degrees, when it was 90 degrees outside. __________________ 08-2500 QC-LWB - 4x4 - 68re, Smarty 67-ME, MP-8, ISSpro EV2 boost gauge, Edge Insight

11-04-2009, 05:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
tkhan Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 190 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts tkhan's Truck Pics	I I added 13 quarts with the 4 extra quart pan. They dont use gaskets anymore, just clean and apply RTV. __________________ 08-2500 QC-LWB - 4x4 - 68re, Smarty 67-ME, MP-8, ISSpro EV2 boost gauge, Edge Insight

11-04-2009, 05:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
kozy Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Mcmurray / Cold Lake AB Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts kozy's Truck Pics	Right on, thanks. __________________ '07.5 6.7L 3500 Quad Cab SLT. 295/70 Open Country M/T's, Edge w/attitude, Quad boost fooler, True Flow XDI, Levelled by HBS, Deleted by me.

11-06-2009, 03:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
feduptrucking Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: prattville,alabama Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts feduptrucking's Truck Pics	dont forget your tranny filters while there, also do not overtighten pan bolts or you will strip threads and have leaks, use a torque wrench for good measure.

11-07-2009, 03:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
-lenny- Diesel Freak Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brooks Alberta Posts: 724 Thanks: 10 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts -lenny-'s Truck Pics	When I put my Mag Hytec tranny cover on, the instructions said to torque the fasteners to between 7 and 9 foot pounds. I put blue loctite on them, and re torqued after a couple days of driving. No leaks, no problems. __________________ 08 MC 3500 68RFE Mostly Stock

11-07-2009, 12:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
DWRDodge6.7 Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Albert Posts: 158 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts DWRDodge6.7's Truck Pics	If you do not want to step up for an after market pan, get yourself a B&M drain plug kit or a Mopar replacement drain plug for a 4.0 L Jeep, or a 5.2L or 5.9 L V8 and a nut that fits the plug threads. If you use the B&M it is a sandwich deal. Just follow the instructions,after removing your oil pan. I used the second option, removed the oil pan, drilled a hole slightly bigger than the Mopar drain plug and welded the nut to the inside of the pan lined up with the hole, of course. The hole is located near the rear centre of the pan. Install the drain plug from the outside of the pan and you're good to go. I've used this setup on several transmissions for over 20 years. You could use any bolt and a gasket but the Mopar plug has a built in gasket. __________________ '07 Dodge 2500 QC SLT TRX4 Offroad 4x4 SB 6.7 Auto my DD. '08 Jeep GC Laredo Active QDII 3.0 L Diesel my wife's DD. '65 Dodge Polara 880 Convertible 383 hp Automatic. '98 Jeep ZJ. '98 Jeep XJ.