Upcoming ZF fluid/filter change, couple DIYer questions

[Kraken]

So yeah, in a month or so I'll be dropping the pan and doing a filter/fluid/(pan) replacement. I've read the official procedure, and watched a number of videos on it. Never though from someone who did not have a lift or a nice level concrete surface to work on/under.

I have dirt.. hard packed dirt but still dirt. So I wanted to ask if anyone here can gone through this job in a similar situation and how'd you get things level? Second, how'd you accurately check the trans temp? Dash summary page, scanner, AlfaODB?

And lastly, I've seen a couple disparaging remarks about Autotechnica but wanted to ask what are the thoughts on their aluminum pan w/replaceable filter? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12716777&cc=3310234&pt=8546&jsn=635


Just found the pic in this thread.. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/automatic-transmission-fluid-and-filter-change.189267/


So transmission pan body needs to be level. Smells like a series of concrete blocks, jackstands and chunks of 6x6

 

[EdGs]

If in the dirt, I would put a piece of plywood under the jack when you lift the rear end up.

Don't forget to block your front wheels first.

I used a piece of 4x6 on top of the lifting cup of the jack and lifted at the pumpkin.

I would also put a square of plywood under your jackstands for placing the stands under the rear axle.

Might be tricky getting the jackstands where the trans is completely level, maybe another plywood to take up the slack. Screw style jackstands would be cool, IMO. You should be able to get the stands close enough to the axle tube, at least enough that if your floor jack loosened, the truck would not lower very far.

Use a large piece of cardboard or tarp to lay on under the truck, so you are at least not laying in the dirt.

No experience with that pan, cannot help you there, sorry.

I had my wife calling out the transmission temp on the evic while I was under the truck.

Make sure you crack the fill plug loose BEFORE you drain the transmission (mine was super-tight I had to use a cheater to break it loose). DO NOT remove the fill plug completely until you drain the trans, or you will experience a couple quarts of fluid making a mess.

^^^^This^^^^, I have not personally experienced, but know of people who have.

Good luck with your service. May it go smoothly.

 

[Kraken]

Oh yeah no I'm super familiar with the ins and outs of supporting heavy vehicles in the dirt

Appreciate the fill plug tip, I would have likely not done that until it was in the air lol.

 

[EdGs]

Oh yeah no I'm super familiar with the ins and outs of supporting heavy vehicles in the dirt

Appreciate the fill plug tip, I would have likely not done that until it was in the air lol.

Yeah, crack it loose first for sure. Beats draining the trans and then have an issue getting the fill plug loose. Mine must've been put on by Hercules...lol.

I do know that those who use the aluminum pans made by PPE have used the bolt sleeves from the OE plastic pan. They keep the gasket in place and allow for an even seal.

Not sure if you need the sleeves for the Autotechnica pan you reference, but something to check out.

There was a member on here that used an aftermarket pan and had an isssue with it, perhaps not being deep enough and was restricting flow? Not exactly sure, and I don't know what brand of pan it was.

Hardest part of the process for me was getting my fat ass up and down while doing the procedure....lol.

My Ram is a '15 also, 2wd though.

 

[Kraken]

Yeah the only Ram + Autotecnica pan I've found online so far had a casting 'smudge' so it didn't seal right. There's always the chance of a QC problem.. but in the past decade or so I've never had a problem returning something to RockAuto.

I was aiming to get the Dorman with the replaceable filter but this is almost half the cost.. you can't not consider it.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

If you're wanting a solid aftermarket pan with replaceable filter capabilities, recommend PPE!
https://ppepower.com/en-ca/products...GYcSo-qhdWy-6GuQqs5LjBE-c9EjMY8-cEP6Phf98mzqN

If not, then only go with an OEM MOPAR filter assembly is a strong recommendation.

Use only OEM MOPAR or Valvoline MaxLife transmission fluids, period, and follow the "green sheet" on how to perform the fluid/filter change to a "T"!!!

Don't cheap out on your transmission service materials!

 

[Wild one]

Yeah the only Ram + Autotecnica pan I've found online so far had a casting 'smudge' so it didn't seal right. There's always the chance of a QC problem.. but in the past decade or so I've never had a problem returning something to RockAuto.

I was aiming to get the Dorman with the replaceable filter but this is almost half the cost.. you can't not consider it.

Transmission pans aren't the place to cheap out on. It might be okay,but i'd definitely look it over real close to make sure it can handle the abuse a transmission pan can encounter,like rocks/sticks etc flung up and hitting it

 

[EdGs]

I also did not see the filter for the Autotechnica pan on the RockAuto site, but I could have missed it.

Also noticed the OE pan has doubled in price, was $165 when I bought mine. Damn.

 

[Kraken]

Yeah **** all that ****. PPE want's too damn much for theirs.. I mean honestly at even the recommended change internal most of you normal people don't keep them long enough to come out ahead. I'm not saying it's a crap product but ***** me other than being larger to whole two more quarts.. the ROI for a normal driver is, a while.

 

[Kraken]

Transmission pans aren't the place to cheap out on. It might be okay,but i'd definitely look it over real close to make sure it can handle the abuse a transmission pan can encounter,like rocks/sticks etc flung up and hitting it

You are not wrong at all.. but you think plastic is tougher against those road hazards than aluminum?

Some of ya'll are assuming a persons trying to be cheap on this topic when that's the case. It's not a cheap versus Mr. Moneybags thing, this is being fiscally responsible. Especially our Orange oligarch is gonna start a trade war.

 

[Kraken]

Not trying to start a fight here.. I seriously expected that someone or ones (plural lol) had at least tried that Autotecnica pan. I mean c'mon, it sure as hell shouldn't cost $300 bucks to injection mold a plastic friggin trans pan.

 

[Wild one]

Not trying to start a fight here.. I seriously expected that someone or ones (plural lol) had at least tried that Autotecnica pan. I mean c'mon, it sure as hell shouldn't cost $300 bucks to injection mold a plastic friggin trans pan.

You were already on the thread about the pan you're looking at,and you would of seen the issues guys had with it.
Your call on what you want to use,but a lightweight/thin aluminium pan isn't what i'd use,the 8 speeds are expensive to replace,and trying to be cheap and save a few bucks on the pan,just might end up costing you several thousand if you fry the tranny.Do what you want though,as it's your truck and money

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Not trying to start a fight here.. I seriously expected that someone or ones (plural lol) had at least tried that Autotecnica pan. I mean c'mon, it sure as hell shouldn't cost $300 bucks to injection mold a plastic friggin trans pan.

My friend, I, and us all, hear you!

However, you are being provided real world, experienced advice from Members that have dealt with this first hand! You came here asking advice on a premiere global forum for Ram Trucks, perhaps take this advice and alter your thinking?!

You have a 2015 (per your sig/tag info), and perhaps you'll want to keep it for years to come?

Perhaps accept that for a bit more cost for the OEM factory filter/pan kit and either the MOPAR or MaxLife fluids, that this is the best way to go for the longevity, dependability and reliability of your transmission overall.

Perhaps not push the minute savings of going against known positively proven products vs ones that have had verifiable issues.

Perhaps consider that utilizing lesser quality filter assembly's and fluids that have not ever proven themselves to be worthwhile products to consider may pose long term and/or detrimental consequences to your transmission overall.

Heck, if you want to do it, have at it, Brother!
It's your rig

But trying to illicit a response other than what seasoned Members are trying to impart currently is futile

You Do You!!! Just, respectfully saying, please don't try and bring lesser ideology into the mix here, it won't work!

 

[EdGs]

But, look at it this way:

OE plastic pan is $306, PPE aluminum pan is $300 also, or thereabout.

You can reuse the bolts and use the sleeves from the OE pan, and you need a gasket, but the cost isn't that much more. You get 2 extra qts. capacity, too.

PPE might have a standard capacity pan, too. Been a while since I looked.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

But, look at it this way:

OE plastic pan is $306, PPE aluminum pan is $300 also, or thereabout.

You can reuse the bolts and use the sleeves from the OE pan, and you need a gasket, but the cost isn't that much more. You get 2 extra qts. capacity, too.

PPE might have a standard capacity pan, too. Been a while since I looked.

@Kraken - ^^^^^^ This is sound advice!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EdGs]

Yep, 2 pans available, 1 qt. extra for $329.99 - $349.99, or 2 qts. extra for $319.99 - $339.99 Replacement filters for $29.99.

If the OE is $306 at RockAuto, might as well spend $20 - $40 more and get a known high quality pan.

Then, only spend $30 extra for a new filter for every fluid change after that.

 

[Kraken]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to go with the Dorman pan, stumbled onto some folks saying the Autotecnica once installed interfered with shifting into (or out of) park. At least with the Dorman I've got the replaceable filter, and while the PPE is nice having to buy a gasket from somewhere is ridiculous.

 

[ToxicFire]

If you're wanting a solid aftermarket pan with replaceable filter capabilities, recommend PPE!
https://ppepower.com/en-ca/products...GYcSo-qhdWy-6GuQqs5LjBE-c9EjMY8-cEP6Phf98mzqN

If not, then only go with an OEM MOPAR filter assembly is a strong recommendation.

Use only OEM MOPAR or Valvoline MaxLife transmission fluids, period, and follow the "green sheet" on how to perform the fluid/filter change to a "T"!!!

Don't cheap out on your transmission service materials!

Do you have this green sheet info? im going to be doing this in a month or well getting help to and if theres a info sheet on exactly the steps that would be great.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Do you have this green sheet info? im going to be doing this in a month or well getting help to and if theres a info sheet on exactly the steps that would be great.

"Green Sheet"

 

[mdc1990zr1]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to go with the Dorman pan, stumbled onto some folks saying the Autotecnica once installed interfered with shifting into (or out of) park. At least with the Dorman I've got the replaceable filter, and while the PPE is nice having to buy a gasket from somewhere is ridiculous.

Just a thought…..after so many heat cycles, plastic can become brittle and crack. Look at the side tanks on our radiators. Changing the filter may be cheaper but you may be going longer on a compromised/weakening pan.