How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Dodge Ram
by Editorial TeamUpdated November 07, 2017Items you will need
Jack and jack stands or ramp
Oil drip pan
Wrench
How to Drop the Oil Pan in a Dodge Ram. The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck often with a front engine, rear wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It is under production by Chrysler and manufactured since 1981. The most common Dodge Ram vehicles are the latest series from 2002 through 2008, and the 1500 series.
Run the engine in the Ram for at least 10 minutes to warm it to normal temperature. Turn off the vehicle after placing it on a secure, stable surface. Use a jack and jacks stands to raise the vehicle off the ground; or drive it onto a set of ramps. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer on how to use the jacks, jack stands and ramps.
Open the hood of the vehicle and locate the engine oil cap, located on the right side of the engine, in the center of the vehicle's side. Unscrew the cap and set aside, as this will provide proper ventilation and pressure release when removing the oil from the Ram.
Locate the battery located under the Ram's hood, towards the front of the vehicle. Remove the negative battery cables there by using a wrench to unscrew and disconnect them. Place an oil drip pan underneath the car's oil pan, under the vehicle, towards the center of the engine, between the tires. The oil pan is a large, rectangular metal device.
Unscrew the oil plug located at the back of the oil pan, towards the bottom of the car. This will allow you to drain all oil from the oil pan, which takes about 10 minutes to complete. Remove oil and dispose of properly or if in good condition, reuse.
Remove the starter motor, transmission, flywheel and transmission adapter plate from under the vehicle, located on or next to the oil pan. The removal of each of these is necessary in order to get the oil pan to drop. Remove each using a wrench to unscrew bolts.
Disconnect each of the bolts on the oil pan. The oil pan bolts are located around the outer edge of the oil pan and removed using a wrench.
Locate the oil pump suction tube after the oil pan bolts are out. It is located next to the oil pump and should be disconnected before moving the oil pan. The oil pan will fall off once you remove the tube.
Warnings
In the Dodge Ram 3.7L, 4.7L and 5.7L engines, you will need to use an engine crane to hold the engine in place when removing the oil pan. Since this requires extensive work and equipment, it is not a recommendation of the manufacturer to be complete by anyone other than a professional.
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