First oil change with 2004 3G

[CajunDieselMan]

I've completed my first oil change in my 3500 2WD SRW LWB and the filter socket that I bought from JHardwick (a fellow TDR member) worked like a dream. It fit both the DC original and the Stratopore 16035 filters perfectly. Oh... . it's not nearly as scary getting to the filter from underneath the truck as I was led to believe--a LONG extension on my 1/2 inch socket wrench did the trick. However, I have side step bars and mudflaps on my truck and, with the front air dam, I have effectively eliminated any chance of getting under my truck without jacking it up. Question... . has anyone who jacked up their truck to change the oil encountered any problems, such as the oil not draining correctly. Next time I change the oil, the beast is coming off the ground!

 

[lschultz]

try this

After you get the plug out and the oil draining let the truck back down with the jack if you don't think you are getting all of the oil out. Then after it has drained jack it back up to put the plug in.

 

[CajunDieselMan]

Thanks, Larry. I was going to run 'er up on ramps but a shop jack would be better--think it's time to get one.

 

[nickleinonen]

i did my trucks first proper oil change today also... [i did an oil drain & fill with 10w30 in january] and i have a steel socket for my oil fiter back from when my dad had his 1990 chevy with the 6. 2 diesel. it fits, but it is a smidge tight. but was that filter ever stubborn to come off... and my tool is cut for a 3/8" ratchet... and i used no extension [too lazy to find one long enough] but everything went smoothly...



oh, how many grease fittings should there be down there??? i only found 2 and they were at the tie-rod ends... is there more? [i didn't have any on the pitman arm or drop link and there was none on the U-joints or on the king pins... ???]





***edit***



oh, and the 315's make it real nice to change the oil. just slide under it... :-laf

 

[Rosco]

I only found the two tie rod end fitting's myself. It's funny since 1998 I've had 5 Ram's, one 1500 and the rest were 2500's. Starting with the '98 Ram every truck has had fewer and fewer fitting's.



Just remember, the Durango/Dakota ball joints were sealed for life also .

 

[nickleinonen]

when i had my tahoe, there was a dozen or so zerks in the front suspension... i don't much like lifetime lube joints, but VW has had them now for a while and they seem to work for them [less abuse though... ?]