2011 Ram 1500 oil pan bolts.

[Billy bond]

Hello everyone I read this forum regularly just trying to get an education on my truck.
There is tons of useful information in this forum.
I have a 2011 Ram 1500 that I use for snow plowing. My oil pan is rotting and I don't want to wait for it to start leaking. I have been reading many of the posts about changing the pan, I think Ive got the basic idea. My question is about the oil pan bolts, the bolt heads on mine are really crappy and want to change them. I have been thinking about changing them using stainless steel bolts M6 x 1.0 x25mm long with stainless steel washers. Does anyone think that is bad idea? I remember using stainless bolts on an intake and exhaust manifold on my 1970's muscle car back in the day. I seem to remember they would loosen up after a little while. An old time engine builder told me the stainless bolts stretch over time with the heat and somewhat high torque.
I was thinking with the low bolt torque on the pan the stainless bolt should be good.
I would buy the original bolts but everything under my truck rots so fast. MY engine block had big chunks of rust falling off in my driveway, i had to wire brush the block off good and coat it with POR 15. that seems to be holding up pretty good. My trans pan rotted and leaked so i replaced it with a Dorman pan which seemed good quality but has some surface rust already.
So I purchased a Dorman oil pan along with the Fel Pro gasket/windage tray. I am sending it to our paint shop to prime, paint and bake before I install it.
I am going to wait until winter is over because I can't afford to lay it up for a couple of days during the winter.
Sorry for the long winded post but I wanted to give as much info as possible.
Thank you in advance for any advise

 

[Wild one]

Hello everyone I read this forum regularly just trying to get an education on my truck.
There is tons of useful information in this forum.
I have a 2011 Ram 1500 that I use for snow plowing. My oil pan is rotting and I don't want to wait for it to start leaking. I have been reading many of the posts about changing the pan, I think Ive got the basic idea. My question is about the oil pan bolts, the bolt heads on mine are really crappy and want to change them. I have been thinking about changing them using stainless steel bolts M6 x 1.0 x25mm long with stainless steel washers. Does anyone think that is bad idea? I remember using stainless bolts on an intake and exhaust manifold on my 1970's muscle car back in the day. I seem to remember they would loosen up after a little while. An old time engine builder told me the stainless bolts stretch over time with the heat and somewhat high torque.
I was thinking with the low bolt torque on the pan the stainless bolt should be good.
I would buy the original bolts but everything under my truck rots so fast. MY engine block had big chunks of rust falling off in my driveway, i had to wire brush the block off good and coat it with POR 15. that seems to be holding up pretty good. My trans pan rotted and leaked so i replaced it with a Dorman pan which seemed good quality but has some surface rust already.
So I purchased a Dorman oil pan along with the Fel Pro gasket/windage tray. I am sending it to our paint shop to prime, paint and bake before I install it.
I am going to wait until winter is over because I can't afford to lay it up for a couple of days during the winter.
Sorry for the long winded post but I wanted to give as much info as possible.
Thank you in advance for any advise

The original bolts have lasted close to 15 years,you can use stainless,but it's probably over kill. If you get another 15 years out of a mild steel bolt,you'll have probably sent the truck off to the wrecking yard by then.
I think i'd be more worried about the bolts coming out the front diff when you remove it,to replace the oil pan

 

[Billy bond]

The original bolts have lasted close to 15 years,you can use stainless,but it's probably over kill. If you get another 15 years out of a mild steel bolt,you'll have probably sent the truck off to the wrecking yard by then.
I think i'd be more worried about the bolts coming out the front diff when you remove it,to replace the oil pan

Thank you for your reply. I guess you are right. I have only owned the truck for 5 yrs and the oil pan and bolts were really nice. That was one of the things I check when purchasing it. The oil pan was rotting on my ford expedition and Bronco also. I think the snow plowing really speeds up the rusting on my trucks. Thank you

 

[js12278]

Your best protection against rust is Fluid Film or Woolwax. They’re both lanolin products. If you’ve already got chunks dropping it’s likely too late. I coated my 18 Ram 1500 5 years ago and there’s zero rust underneath any where on the chassis. I coat the frame inside and out with Woolwax Black and spray Fluid Film inside all the door and tailgate panels and pillar posts.
These products are self healing.
I can say that a coating in fall and touch up in spring will stop rust in its tracks.

 

[Billy bond]

Your best protection against rust is Fluid Film or Woolwax. They’re both lanolin products. If you’ve already got chunks dropping it’s likely too late. I coated my 18 Ram 1500 5 years ago and there’s zero rust underneath any where on the chassis. I coat the frame inside and out with Woolwax Black and spray Fluid Film inside all the door and tailgate panels and pillar posts.
These products are self healing.
I can say that a coating in fall and touch up in spring will stop rust in its tracks.

Thank you for your reply! I will do that after the install.