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

[SETEX 6.4]

Well I added fluid this morning right at about 8:30. Thats 20 hours that I let the RTV cure of the recommended 24.

When I did the pan drop and drain and filter change I measured the amount of fluid I took out. I measured 9.5 qts but rounded that up to 10 because of the amount I spilt and had soaked up into towels, etc.

This morning when I filled it cold I added 8 qts started the truck up and cycled through the gears a couple times. Leaving it running and in neutral I checked the level.
It was between the cold and the hot measuring holes.
So I then took an easy 10 mile or so drive to get truck and trans up to opperating temperature. In my trucks case that is 165 trans temp.
When I got home I cycled the gears left it in neutral and checked fluid level. It was just above the cold full hole.
I added a quart and again cycled gears leaving in park and checked again.
This time it was between the low and full holes hot. I added another half and checked again and it was right at the full hot hole.

So I ended up adding 9.5 qts of the pretty much 10 I took out. I left the extra half qt with funnel in my truck and I will keep checking every day to see if it settles down more and I need to add that extra half.

I checked the pan and new drain plug for leaks after I had the fluid full and everything looks great. No wet spots or anything.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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[Hemi395]

That's great man you got most of the fluid changed, I think it only hold 12 quarts total...

 

[SETEX 6.4]

That's what I've read too. 12 qts total capacity.
I figure most of what didn't come out was what was left in the cooler and lines trapped by the stupid thermal block.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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[Hemi395]

If you can bypass that thermal block your trans will run MUCH cooler. The only thing that is good for is a miniscule fuel economy boost...

 

[AFMoulton]

Doesn’t the torque converter keep some fluid sealed in it too?


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

 

[reloaderguy]

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

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Dorman makes a replacement pan with drain plug. The 545RFE, 65RFE, 66RFE, and 68RFE all use the same pan.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-67246-265-817.aspx

 

[SETEX 6.4]

If you can bypass that thermal block your trans will run MUCH cooler. The only thing that is good for is a miniscule fuel economy boost...

I agree. It's only maybe needed up north were it gets cold.

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

Doesn’t the torque converter keep some fluid sealed in it too?


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

Yes I would think so but being I drained all but 2 to 2.5 qts out of the transmission, it couldn't have been very much.

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

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.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Where did you get the blue can at? I need one. Does it suck fluid out as well as pump it in??


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

 

[SETEX 6.4]

Dorman makes a replacement pan with drain plug. The 545RFE, 65RFE, 66RFE, and 68RFE all use the same pan.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-67246-265-817.aspx

I saw the Dorman pan but could not find it in stock anywhere.

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

Where did you get the blue can at? I need one. Does it suck fluid out as well as pump it in??


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

Not sure. My grandfather bought it for me several years ago.
No it only sucks fluid out.

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

I saw the Dorman pan but could not find it in stock anywhere.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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I used the link with no results for my truck.


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

 

[Hemi395]

I agree. It's only maybe needed up north were it gets cold.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Yeah that and it was the precursor to the 8 speed thermal management system. I don't have one on my 65rfe and i live in the Northeast. Mine take a while to hit 100* in the winter but in the summer while towing my camper it hovers around 150* which I'm extremely happy with.

I can't believe they put that on a 2500, so stupid.....

 

[Hemi395]

Stay away from the Dormin pan. I had one and it wasn't formed right around the spin on filter....

 

[reloaderguy]

I used the link with no results for my truck.


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

The RFE transmissions all use the same pan going back to around 2002. The link I provided was the correct part number despite not listing the fit.

 

[Hemi395]

FYI here's a list of Chrysler approved ATF+4 brands

https://www.centerforqa.com/chrysler-brands/

 

[SETEX 6.4]

Been driving around some today and transmission is nice and smooth. Seems to pull a little harder too. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me but I'm happy.
Super Tech ATF+4 for the win.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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[Hemi395]

Been driving around some today and transmission is nice and smooth. Seems to pull a little harder too. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me but I'm happy.
Super Tech ATF+4 for the win.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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I don't think it's you. I noticed when I changed mine the first time at 22k it shifted smoother and quicker. You had 3 times the mileage on your old fluid. Just imagine leaving it for 120k......

 

[SETEX 6.4]

It just feels healthier lol if that's a way to describe it.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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[Hemi395]

It just feels healthier lol if that's a way to describe it.

2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 6.4 Hemi 4:10 Gears Ram Boxes 35x12.50R18 on Factory Wheels
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Yup I know exactly what you mean!