66 RFE Transmission Fluid and Filters Change with Weld In Drain Plug Install

[SETEX 6.4]

Well with my truck having 61,380 miles I figured it's time for fluid and filters change on my 66 RFE transmission.
I also wanted to add a drain plug for easy of changing later. I welded a plug in.

I'm currently typing this up while waiting on RTV to dry because dummy me used the Permatex Automatic Transmission Gasket Maker #81180 and it states to wait 24 hours to fully cure before filling with fluids.
That will be 12:30 tomorrow. lol

I'm glad I decided to do this as the factory fill was quite dirty and dark. It didn't smell much different than the new fluid but it was dark.
I let it drain for about 3 hours with the filters out with the front of the truck slightly higher than the back.

After I had everything put back together I measured exactly how much fluid had come out. To my surprise it was 10 quarts. To my knowledge the transmission only holds 12 quarts total. I was only expecting 5 or 6 quarts to come out.
It's a good thing I bought 10 quarts of Super Tech ATF4 which was all they had at Walmart when I went about a week ago.. I figured I would have about 4 quarts left to put 2 quarts in my transfer case but I guess I will wait till tomorrow after I fill transmission so then I can go buy 2 more quarts for the transfer case.
Here are the pictures I took. The drain plug worked out great. I plan on draining what will come out every 10,000 miles and filling back up and then only cracking the case every 60,000 miles to change the filters.

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[SETEX 6.4]

More pictures.

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[SETEX 6.4]

More pictures.
What are your thoughts on about actually waiting the full 24 hours for RTV to cure?
Below is a picture of the front and back of the package of the RTV I used.
As of right now Im waiting.

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[R.L.K.]

Very nicely done Sir .
On the sealant , I'd say you'll be fine first thing in the morning [emoji1303]

I used the Mopar black sealant and just waited overnight and had no issues .

I would however get the xsmn fluid up to operational temp a couple times , let it cool to the cool hand touch on the pan and torque check the pan install bolts to ensure proper seating ...mine moved quite a bit ...but I installed a Mag-Hyteck pan with all new hardware .

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[SETEX 6.4]

Ok cool.
I was thinking first thing in the morning should be good enough as well.
Great point about the bolts. As of right now they are tourqed to 9 ft lbs which is just a tad above 102 inch lbs as the spec calls for.

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[SETEX 6.4]

Is the oil being that dark normal for 61,000 miles?

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[AFMoulton]

How much towing/heavy hauling have you done? It looks normal to me, as the last trans I did was at 70k and it looked about the same, still smelled new though.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[Motor Head]

Nicely done. Still on the border between welding in a drain plug or going with aftermarket cover. I was planning on doing a video on this in the future.

 

[Hemi395]

More pictures.
What are your thoughts on about actually waiting the full 24 hours for RTV to cure?
Below is a picture of the front and back of the package of the RTV I used.
As of right now Im waiting.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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I agree with R.L.K. There's a South Main Auto video where he does a fluid and filter change on a Dakota. He uses that same rtv and fills it right away so first thing in the morning will be fine.

 

[Hemi395]

Is the oil being that dark normal for 61,000 miles?

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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I would say it's normal for it to be that dark at 61k because your truck is a 2500. The trans is always working more than a 1500 because it weighs more. If it were me since you have the drain plug now, I would do a few drain and fills to "flush" it so to speak. Should be about 6 quarts from drain plug.

Your fluid is exactly why I think FCAs "normal" service interval of 120k is crazy.

Nice write-up by the way!! Where did you get that drain plug?

 

[SETEX 6.4]

How much towing/heavy hauling have you done? It looks normal to me, as the last trans I did was at 70k and it looked about the same, still smelled new though.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper Stt MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

I tow 3000 lbs of golf cart and trailer about 10 times a year. I tow 8000 lbs of lowboy and tractor about 2 times a year.
That's about it. I don't own a boat or an rv.
I just wanted a big mega cab thirsty 6.4 hemi powered beast of a truck.

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[SETEX 6.4]

Nicely done. Still on the border between welding in a drain plug or going with aftermarket cover. I was planning on doing a video on this in the future.

I just couldn't see spending upwards of $300 for a pan when now I basically have the same thing for $20.
Sure I don't have the added cooling ability and fluid capacity of the MH but o didn't really see where I needed those two extra things. My transmission has never gone over about 172 degrees.
All together with drain plug, fluid, rtv, filters, brake cleaner and rags I'm in this for about $130

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[SETEX 6.4]

I would say it's normal for it to be that dark at 61k because your truck is a 2500. The trans is always working more than a 1500 because it weighs more. If it were me since you have the drain plug now, I would do a few drain and fills to "flush" it so to speak. Should be about 6 quarts from drain plug.

Your fluid is exactly why I think FCAs "normal" service interval of 120k is crazy.

Nice write-up by the way!! Where did you get that drain plug?

Thanks.
I do plan on flushing it a couple times then doing 10,000 mile interval flushes and then filter changes every 60,000.
I ordered this plug.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163319789599

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[McBroom]

More pictures.
What are your thoughts on about actually waiting the full 24 hours for RTV to cure?
Below is a picture of the front and back of the package of the RTV I used.
As of right now Im waiting.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Don’t drink the grape kool-aid


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[McBroom]

Is the oil being that dark normal for 61,000 miles?

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Yes


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[HammerHead]

Nice write up, I like the drain plug idea. Next time you prop the pan get the Gray RTV from the dealership, it cures in a few hours.

 

[SETEX 6.4]

Nice write up, I like the drain plug idea. Next time you prop the pan get the Gray RTV from the dealership, it cures in a few hours.

Thanks.
Yes I plan to get that next time.
I like to learn things the hard way.

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[GsRAM]

Looks good/ good work.

Why didn't you clean and paint the entire pan and not just the area you welded the plug in? A little bit more prep time and paint would give you a professional looking job.

I surprised the fluid was that dark at 61k

This is an example of why I service trans, diffs and xfer case every 30k on my vehicles.

I typically only use the Wal-Mart fluids in my lawnmowers. I would have purchased the mopar ATF. Wally world stuff is ok but on a transmission as expensive as these are I'd spend the extra cash for the mopar fluid. Just my .02.

Does the 66rfe not have a reusable rubber trans pan gasket?

 

[HammerHead]

Looks good/ good work.

Why didn't you clean and paint the entire pan and not just the area you welded the plug in? A little bit more prep time and paint would give you a professional looking job.

I surprised the fluid was that dark at 61k

This is an example of why I service trans, diffs and xfer case every 30k on my vehicles.

I typically only use the Wal-Mart fluids in my lawnmowers. I would have purchased the mopar ATF. Wally world stuff is ok but on a transmission as expensive as these are I'd spend the extra cash for the mopar fluid. Just my .02.

Does the 66rfe not have a reusable rubber trans pan gasket?

Yep 30k for me too on trans, diffs and t-case.

 

[SETEX 6.4]

Looks good/ good work.

Why didn't you clean and paint the entire pan and not just the area you welded the plug in? A little bit more prep time and paint would give you a professional looking job.

I surprised the fluid was that dark at 61k

This is an example of why I service trans, diffs and xfer case every 30k on my vehicles.

I typically only use the Wal-Mart fluids in my lawnmowers. I would have purchased the mopar ATF. Wally world stuff is ok but on a transmission as expensive as these are I'd spend the extra cash for the mopar fluid. Just my .02.

Does the 66rfe not have a reusable rubber trans pan gasket?

I didn't repaint the entire pan because it's already painted black. I'm not looking to park my truck at a truck show and have mirrors slid underneath to show off the drivetrain. I was only looking to protect the bare metal that I exposed. In a week the fresh paint I sprayed will be covered with road grime and look like the rest of the pan.

I've done my research on the ATF4 fluids.
The SuperTech is the same ATF as any others like Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil1, Pennzoil, Mopar, etc. And SuperTech is on the approved list from Chrysler. Only difference in the fluid is you don't have to pay for all the other brands advertising. So, why pay more?
Sure it's not Redline or Amsoil, which by the way are not on Chrysler's approved list but I just don't see the need to run RL or AO fluids at $12.50 qt when I plan to drain and refill so often now.
Them not being on the list doesn't mean they don't meet the spec of Chrysler, they far exceed the spec and to my knowledge that's why they are not on the approved list. From what I've researched the only way an oil can be on the approved Chrysler list is if the transmission fluid meets the spec exactly, meaning basically all the fluids are the same if they are on the list. So as I stated above, why pay more for the name and advertising?

No the 66RFE does NOT have a reusable gasket. It was sealed with RTV from the factory line.

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