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

[Dusty]

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
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

The factory fill on a 66RE is 17.6 quarts which includes the torque converter. You will never get all 17 quarts out of it unless you perform a power flush or fluid transfer. In a typical driveway drain I've seen anywhere from 6 to 12 quarts. You must've let it drip for quite a while.

Disregard the color of ATF series fluids. ATF is dyed red (as most transmission fluids are) and Chrysler service manuals since at least 2003 have a statement as such. Although yours looked pretty dark in the pictures, I can tell you ATF+ degrades in color over miles in the RE, RH and RFE series trannys. Engineers tell me that moisture is the primary general cause of discoloration.

What is far more important is the smell. A burnt odor is a sign of clutch or transmission overheating. A small degree of gray silt in the pan is normal. This is material from the clutches, the more miles the more you'll see.

I use the Mopar MS-GF-44D Gear & Axle RTV (82300234AB). In 70 degree weather it sets up 10-15 minutes and can take fluid as soon as the pan is reinstalled and tightened.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 004898 miles.

 

[Erikk]

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

I noticed on Dorman website they have two different pans for the 66. One is up to 2009, then from 10-current. Which did you have?
Also does it not bolt up or is it just shaped wrong?
I was about to get one till I read your comment. Thanks

 

[Hemi395]

I noticed on Dorman website they have two different pans for the 66. One is up to 2009, then from 10-current. Which did you have?
Also does it not bolt up or is it just shaped wrong?
I was about to get one till I read your comment. Thanks

It bolted up fine but it wasn't formed right around the spin on filter. It hit the bottom of the filter enough to slightly dent the filter. Might have been just my pan but still...

 

[BlownGP]

It bolted up fine but it wasn't formed right around the spin on filter. It hit the bottom of the filter enough to slightly dent the filter. Might have been just my pan but still...

I have no problem with the Dorman. It's been on almost 4 years now.

 

[HammerHead]

The factory fill on a 66RE is 17.6 quarts which includes the torque converter. You will never get all 17 quarts out of it unless you perform a power flush or fluid transfer. In a typical driveway drain I've seen anywhere from 6 to 12 quarts. You must've let it drip for quite a while.

Disregard the color of ATF series fluids. ATF is dyed red (as most transmission fluids are) and Chrysler service manuals since at least 2003 have a statement as such. Although yours looked pretty dark in the pictures, I can tell you ATF+ degrades in color over miles in the RE, RH and RFE series trannys. Engineers tell me that moisture is the primary general cause of discoloration.

What is far more important is the smell. A burnt odor is a sign of clutch or transmission overheating. A small degree of gray silt in the pan is normal. This is material from the clutches, the more miles the more you'll see.

I use the Mopar MS-GF-44D Gear & Axle RTV (82300234AB). In 70 degree weather it sets up 10-15 minutes and can take fluid as soon as the pan is reinstalled and tightened.

Best regards,
Dusty

2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Now at: 004898 miles.

17.6 Quarts on initial factory fill? I thought the 66RFE had a full capacity of 12 quarts?

 

[68PowerWagon]

Instead of having to weld in a plug wouldn't a Universal Drain Plug Kit work?

 

[nwallen78]

I know this is an old thread but is RTV better than a replacement gasket that comes with the kit you can get online?

 

[GsRAM]

I cannot comment on that because after some research, I elected to use all mopar OEM filters and I bought a lubelocker gasket. The lubelocker to this day, some 4 months plus since I did all of the work, is still bone dry.

If you go with a kit like wix, and it's a rubber, one time use gasket, that also may be ok. But I suggest the lubelocker. Just my thoughts....

 

[buckeyexx]

I know this is an old thread but is RTV better than a replacement gasket that comes with the kit you can get online?

There is no problem using a rubber gasket. I just changed mine and that is what I used. Much easier in my opinion. Just clean the old silicon off the pan before using. So far so good and haven’t had a problem in the past with them. The problem you will have is getting just the gasket because from what I found it usually comes with a kit and I don’t like using the filters in the kit. I use the rubber gasket only and then get oem filters. I went to oriellys and got mine because they have a kit with a rubber gasket and the pancake filter but I just don’t use the filter. Just make sure to torque the pan bolts correctly and shouldn’t have an issue.

 

[HEMIMANN]

There is no problem using a rubber gasket. I just changed mine and that is what I used. Much easier in my opinion. Just clean the old silicon off the pan before using. So far so good and haven’t had a problem in the past with them. The problem you will have is getting just the gasket because from what I found it usually comes with a kit and I don’t like using the filters in the kit. I use the rubber gasket only and then get oem filters. I went to oriellys and got mine because they have a kit with a rubber gasket and the pancake filter but I just don’t use the filter. Just make sure to torque the pan bolts correctly and shouldn’t have an issue.

You can get just the gasket from Summit Racing. Not sure about Rock Auto.

 

[GsRAM]

You can get just the gasket from Summit Racing. Not sure about Rock Auto.

Yep, that's where I purchased the lube locker

 

[buckeyexx]

You guys are right. Not sure how I missed that because that’s where I ordered my oem filters and didn’t even see the gaskets offered. I would have ordered the lube locker myself at the same time if I had looked a little harder.

 

[Wildcatcody]

What is the best transmission fluid to use? Can you guys recommend a good rear diff cover replacement so I can get a little more fluid and cooler temps?

2017 ram 2500, 6.4 Hemi, 35x12.50 tires, 5.13 axle ratios

 

[HEMIMANN]

What is your definition of "best"? Cheapest? Best performance? These criteria are mutually exclusive.

Bank's Cool Cover for differentials is superb.