Oil/filter change on new RAM Cummins 3500 - ouch!!

[SilverC6]

Changed the oil and filter in my son's 2013 RAM Cummins 3500 today.

RAM has done some frame changes that add a lot of difficulty in getting the oil filter changed out.

The frame is boxed in where you can't get up to the filter from the bottom.

A lot of stuff to disassemble to reach the filter from the top.

So you have a small access hole behind the passenger front wheel to loosen the filter with a cap style wrench and jerk the filter out.

Three gallons of Delo later and we're done.

After some practice, it may get easier.

 

[artificialist]

Use it as an excuse to install a bypass filter kit that includes a relocated full flow filter.

 

[bullwinkle]

No way to use a strap wrench from above? I can do it on mine, as long as the engine (mainly the turbo) has cooled off enough to avoid burning yourself. Fortunately I don't run it a lot, so I only have to change it every couple of years, & I have the Stratapore Venturi filter on it now. Oil looks cleaner, haven't had enough miles to get a UOA yet.

 

[zpinch]

Install a remote filter relocation setup, with dual full flow amsoil EAO-15 filters.

 

[xxch4osxx]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Use it as an excuse to install a bypass filter kit that includes a relocated full flow filter.
Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[fdcg27]

If anything should make for an easy oil change, you'd think that it would be an inline six mounted in a truck with plenty of room underneath.
Guess not.
I'm sure it will get easier with experience.

 

[SilverC6]

It was easier a few years before.

RAM beefed up the frame on the 3500 in 2013 and then included the frame strengthening on the 2500 the following year.

The strap wrench would work from the top but you still need to get the filter out somewhere.

That leaves pulling the air box and other stuff out or dragging the filter out the wheel well.

I guess that's the price you pay for best towing capacity in its class.

 

[Rendezvous]

Yea it's kinda a pain and I just pull the intake out. I have an AFE intake on mine so it isn't that bad.

 

[jrmason]

The quickest way on the 13+ trucks is through the pass wheel well. You have to be a bit of a contortionist but its quicker than removing the air box. Slipping a gallon size zip lock over the filter helps to contain the mess once removed, otherwise things can get messy if you tip it one way or the other.

At least he only has to change it approximately every 15k miles, so it wont be something he has to do too often. Unless he plans on keeping the truck well past warranty a remote bypass wont offer very many benefits as he still has to adhere to the factory OCI while under warranty (5yrs/100k miles)

 

[hattaresguy]

Why not just put a remote filter set up on it? All the marine Cummins come with them, on my boat the filter is right up top!

These motors use good filters anyway, I don't think you would see any benefit from a bypass.