dgm

...dealer wants me to spend $500 on oil, trans, axles etc at the 36,000 service next weekend. Oh, and I think its about time for a new intake. My stock filter is about there.


Any suggestions in your experience on what should really be done at 36K and which intake I should go with? I don't tow much with my truck; my boat a few times/year and building supplies once in a while. I may be doing lots of highway driving next Fall... like 300mi/day or more (maybe a Smarty for MPG would be a good investment).

thanks for any input,
-daniel

newguy2005

so why not change yourself? you would save alot of money just changing all the fliuds yourself.

bekim

Change the oil yourself. The tranny service on our trucks is at 100,000 according to the owners manual. Do the diff. yourself. Save $450.
Cheers
Mike
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bekim

Smarty sounds like a good mild power programmer. Marco and Bob over at Madselectronics have a devoted following. Good luck with that.
Mike
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TexasCTD

I am with the others. Do it yourself and save a bunch of money.

Oil change is straight forward, just buy a fleetguard stratapore filter and your choice of 15w40 diesel truck rated oil. Personally I use Shell Rotella T bought at Walmart. Filter can be purchased at Cummins or online at Geno's Garage.

Drop your transmission pan and drain the fluid. Replace the Trans filter which will be visible when the pan is off. Replace the pan and refill with ATF +4 trans fluid. I get the fluid and filter for this at the local dealer.

Drain the transfer case from the lower bolt, replace the bolt. Refill through the top bolt with ATF +4.

Remove the front and rear Differential covers and let the fluid drain out. Spray around with brake parts cleaner. Replace covers and then refill with your choice of 75w90 or 75w140 synthetic GL5 Rated Gear Oil. Personally, I use Mobil 1 75w90.

The dealers want way to much for this simple stuff. Also, I don't want them tinkering on it. I am afraid they will make a careless mistake. They don't love your truck like you do. To them it is just a hunk of steel for them to make money on.

Once you do all this stuff once, it is easy. Just go slow, take your time, buy everything you need before you start each job.....and then the next time it will be easy.

dgm

Alright, I'm considering it. Its not that I don't think I can do it, its just a matter of finding the time to do it. Like you guys, I'd rather work on my own truck than let someone else, even though I do have a good dealer that I trust. Hmmm? Will I need any special tools...I'm just working with a pretty standard residential 2-car garage here

-daniel

TexasCTD

It will help if you have a cap wrench to go on the end of your oil filter to get it from the bottom with a ratchet and extensions. Also, a large freezer bag to catch the filter in will help avoid a mess.

You need a 1 1/8'' socket to remove the cap on the fuel filter housing to access the fuel filter.


Remember that your truck holds 3 gallons of oil, so at least a 15 quart oil pan is a must. After draining, just take it to autozone etc. and drain it in their oil recycle bin.

dgm

Yeah, I'm not so worried about the oil, I've changed alot of oil and still do my boat. I've never done diff's or transfer cases though.

PourinDiesel

The Diff's and Transfer Case are easier than changing the engine oil.

SOhappy

FYI: A 5-gallon bucket fits perfectly under my oil pan (stock tires, no lift, 4X4).

moterhead

A cap filter wrench only works if you use the filters with flutes.. I use the LF3894 Stratopore. Identical to the fluted filter, but cheaper. I use a KD band wrench with a 3/8s extension. Incidently, don't be fooled when you look at your engine drain plug and think it takes some kind of special tool. It's just a 3/8s square drive. Use a ratchet and a short extension. Easy job. Fuel filter is the easiest change I've ever done. A snap. DON'T buy your filters from Dodge. 3Xs the Cummins price.

TexasCTD

That is an excellent idea. I never really thought about the good ole 5 gallon bucket. Probably would also help reduce any side spray from wind etc. Thanks.