No need to over-worry. Remove the air intake tube and remove the filter. Almost as easy as my 1997 setup. I have done it 3 times so far.
Without a doubt the.....most feasible method.
A copy & paste from another thread:
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...uestion?p=2387626&highlight=soapy#post2387626
A post I made on another forum several months ago :
Today I tackled the first oil change on my '13 RAM 3500. I'm at 12,317 miles and 241 drive hours / 0 idle hours (that's an average mph of 51.1). I decided I would share my experiences here based on this being a more search-friendly thread for other member's posts.
I began by removing the drain plug. Previously, I'd asked if the oil comes out like a cow peeing on a flat rock....with answers of a reassuring "yes". That's all validated as of today personally by me. Gotta love those oil-proof gloves.
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I then pondered as to if I was going for oil filter removal through the wheel well or via the top. I actually incorporated both techniques.
I began by removing all of the duct work between the air filter housing and the turbo.
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On edit 01/09/2014 : On my 2nd oil change, and block heater cord installation, I removed the ductwork as one assembly...and it makes everything go a little faster.
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I loosened the old filter (the pic denotes the new LF16035 installed) via the wheel well. Every new RAM/Cummins pickup I've owned has had the Cummins Gorilla in charge of tightening the filters at the MREP. I used a band style oil filter wrench for removal.
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Pic of LF16035 from topside. I can note that I was able to remove the old filter without spilling the first drop into the drip tray / trough. I'll also note that I was able to prime the new LF16035 just as I had my previous CTD's.
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While I was at it, I checked the air filter. I deemed it good for a few more miles anyway. A refreshing 12 oz. Mountain Dew can pictured for reference.
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A couple of shots of the mystery intake silencer....
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Overall, everything went well. I must admit I was spoiled from all of the previous 5.9L & 6.7L CTD's oil filter removals from the bottom. It is what it is....and today was a learning experience. I'm quite sure the next oil change will go a tad quicker. My oil life indicator was at 16%. I reset the oil life to 100%.
Edited this post 01/08/2014 to add that when re-installing the ductwork, get a clean, wet paper towel and squirt a small amount of dishwashing detergent on it. Swipe the sections of intake hose with the soapy wet paper towel; everything goes back together muccccch easier!!!!
I also changed the fuel filters today as well. I'll be adding to another thread here shortly.