Anyone tried this method to replace Hemi Oil Pan on 4X4 ?

[MarineBSP]

Hi - My 2018 RAM 1500 CC 4X4 is at 120K miles and seven Minnesota winter salt seasons. Like many 5.7L Hemi owners in Northern states, I have a VERY rusty oil pan that needs replacing. I don't have a two-post lift, and I'm hoping to avoid dropping my diff and axles.

I came across this VIDEO, which is intriguing. He says it's a 2014, so it should have electric power steering. If you have followed this procedure, please comment !

It is a little "fiddly", but it appears that the YouTube creater made it work. I'm willing to give it a try, both because it appears to save a lot of work, but also because it will avoid extra stress on axle and driveline parts.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Wild one]

Hi - My 2018 RAM 1500 CC 4X4 is at 120K miles and seven Minnesota winter salt seasons. Like many 5.7L Hemi owners in Northern states, I have a VERY rusty oil pan that needs replacing. I don't have a two-post lift, and I'm hoping to avoid dropping my diff and axles.

I came across this VIDEO, which is intriguing. He says it's a 2014, so it should have electric power steering. If you have followed this procedure, please comment !

It is a little "fiddly", but it appears that the YouTube creater made it work. I'm willing to give it a try, both because it appears to save a lot of work, but also because it will avoid extra stress on axle and driveline parts.

Thanks for your input.

I don't know if it makes a differance,but he's doing it on a 2500,not a 1500. The diff might drop down far enough to replace the pan,by just unbolting the 7 bolts that hold it in place,leaving the axles in place, i've never tried it,but it might be an option to try.If you don't have long tube headers on the truck,the diff isn't all that hard to remove,as 4 bolts are easy to get at with an impact and swivel socket,the only ones that are a bit tough to get at,are the 3 on the top of the diff,but if you don't have headers,you should be able to get at them from the top,with a long extension and swivel socket.It's been close to 10 years since i had the front diff in and out a couple times on my old 4X4,but i think it was 13mm and 18mm or 21 mm sockets that i used,alzheimers has set in,and i forget if the big bolts were 18 or 21mm. I used a floorjack to R&R the diff and did it by myself on my driveway,and i was in my mid 50's back then,and it wasn't all that bad to remove it by myself.

 

[Ken226]

Yea, that seems like a perfectly viable method for removing it.

I'd have liked to see him reinstall it though.

Putting the tube and bolts inside the pan, positioning the pan will be easy, but gravity won't be available to assist in getting the tube and bolts back up into place. On the contrary, gravity will greatly increase the challenge and fun factor.

Let us know how it goes in the re-install, I'm curious to see how this works out. Too bad he didn't post the install portion of the video.

I'll ask how it went in the comments.

 

[White six four]

How rusty is yours? Got a picture? You being from Minnesota I assume your and mine (from wi) definition of rust is completely different then people down south. Some of them see a speck of rust on let's say a frame and think the whole truck is going to fall apart lol.

Anyways I bought my 16 used 5 or so years ago and the oil pan had some rust on it (10-15 quarter sized spots in various locations). I've kept it at bay by cleaning and hitting it with a coat or 2 of rustoleum rust reformer every spring. Just an option if it's not too far gone. At least with an oil pan the rust has to start on the outside unlike most body panels.

 

[MarineBSP]

Thanks for the replies - I won't be in the position to do this time-wise until late May, but I will likely try it to see how it goes. I figure that if I get stuck, I'll just have to finish it by dropping the diff.

I will post again when I actually give it a shot - probably be able to followup in June.

 

[Kraken]

Ima have to watch this.. my pan is also in a pretty ****** condition.

 

[MarineBSP]

Posting to bring closure to this thread. I was ready to do this job and try the "experiment", but life kept intervening, and I finally decided to call up my selling dealer (small town, reliable, straight shooters).

So I had them install the pan. I made an appointment ahead, and they got me in and out on the same day. I thought their charges were very fair, and my truck has a shiny new pan with no leaks ! I maintain several family vehicles, and this was one job too many. Gotta save time for being a grandpa !

 

[mdc1990zr1]

Posting to bring closure to this thread. I was ready to do this job and try the "experiment", but life kept intervening, and I finally decided to call up my selling dealer (small town, reliable, straight shooters).

So I had them install the pan. I made an appointment ahead, and they got me in and out on the same day. I thought their charges were very fair, and my truck has a shiny new pan with no leaks ! I maintain several family vehicles, and this was one job too many. Gotta save time for being a grandpa !

Now shoot it with a coat if fluid film