Which oilpan drain plug to get?

[Scollins]

Well, after changing my oil this weekend, I've decided that the stock oilpan drain plug would look better in the garbage than on my truck. So, I grab my trusty Geno's catalog to order a new one. D'OH! I have 3 choices????????? Arrrgggghhhh! I need the help of the TDR members to narrow the choice down to one.
1. Finger Touch drain plug
2. EZ Change and tube
3. Heavy Duty drain plug with 9/16" hex

I like the looks of the finger touch and the EZ, but the absolute simplicity of the Heavy Duty drain plug is very appealing also. I'm not too crazy about the cost of the EZ touch and tube (~$50) but the Finger Touch (~$23) is just a few bucks more than the Heavy duty (~$20. ) So, which one are you using, do you like it, and why? Any leaking? Vandalism issues?

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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins.
Renton, WA

 

[BIG BOB]

Scott,

I went with the Finger Touch and modified it because the threads are about 1/4 to 5/16 of an inch above the bottom of the oil pan. See drawing below;

#ad


I then modified the Finger Touch as in the picture below so oil would drain completely.

#ad


No more oily mess or oil on my hands. Works great, I like it!

The thing I don't like about the EZ is having to mess with the tube. I don't want to have to worry about "Where is the tube!" or deal with having to clean it after you drain your oil. Maybe some don't clean it, then you deal with a oily tube.

Hope this helps, Big Bob.

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[This message has been edited by BIG BOB (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Cooker]

I'd opted for the superplug from www.superplug.com. It's like Geno's heavy duty plug, but with a very powerful magnet on it. Cost is the same as Geno's heavy duty plug.

I didn't like the idea of the easy drain plugs. Maybe I am just over caucious (sp?) but it just seemed like something else to go wrong.

Ryan

 

[Jeff Clark]

I went with Geno's heavy duty. Just ordered it the other day so it hasn't arrived yet. I don't mind a little extra work under the truck.

 

[Turbo]

I am ordering the heavy-duty. I have enough things to worry about without thinking about moving parts on my oil drain plug, that is the last thing I need... but that is just my opinion

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Scollins
I have the finger touch. I like it. Tough question, they are all good plugs.

I would like to try the Superplug #ad

 

[Wiredawg]

I went through the whole thought process last week and came up with the finger touch plug. I have a pretty good size ring magnet that I'm attaching the magnet to the oil pan around the drain hole. Then when iget ready to drain, I'll pull the magnet off and let metal particle flow out with the oil. That's the plan, anyway.

Wiredawg



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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

 

[Jeff Burke]

I have a fingertouch plug from Geno's, and I love it. Easiest oil change I've ever done, and no mess.

 

[Cooker]

Wiredawg,
I like your idea. I'm sure that would work equally as well the superplug. Superplug says their magnet is "special" but I don't know.

 

[HGDMARTN]

Scollins,
I just put in a finger touch from Geno's this weekend. Looks like it will be nice. I posted a message about stripping my plug 1/1/01 titled "Oh Boy, I am really mad now" on the other 24v site and the administrator pointed out one key point - These plugs hang down about 1" below the pan and there ain't much to protect it should you hit something. I am drawing up ideas to build a skid plate that attaches to my front cross-member and will stop just short of the plug. This should work, I hope. That is all I need; a busted oil plug and or pan. Some other reason to look at the gauges vs. looking at the road.

Good luck.
David

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'00 2500QC-LWB 2WD 6sp. loaded with a bunch of goodies that I would not have ordered if I bought the truck new.

 

[rich m]

Originally posted by BIG BOB:
Scott,


The thing I don't like about the EZ is having to mess with the tube. I don't want to have to worry about "Where is the tube!" or deal with having to clean it after you drain your oil. Maybe some don't clean it, then you deal with a oily tube.

Hope this helps, Big Bob.

Here's an Idea---(untested, from the "peanut gallery")---how-'bout a piece of capped 1" or 1-1/4" PVC strapped to the undercarriage for tube storage, and then just do the paper-towel thing for cleanup?

 

[Bob Cochran]

Big Bob ~ I wonder why they don't incorporate you mode in their standard product? Have you filed for patient? #ad
Did you drill the holes with a electric hand drill or drill press. How did you hold the plug and drill without damaging the threads?

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2001 RAM 3500 dually Quad Cab SLT, 4. 10 limited slip, HO 245 hp, 6-speed, dark garnet pearl coat, interior agate, All options except heated leather, added Betterbuilt brite diamond tool box, Linex spray-in bed liner, Lund hood deflector 3 piece smoke color, DeeZee brite diamond cab/bed running boards and TurboSaver (from Gino's) also Reese 5th wheel 15k hitch. No plans to bomb. This is my retirment vehicle currently pulling 21' 5er want to buy 30 to 35 for retirment.

 

[BigDaddy]

Scollins,
Here is my Geno's Finger Touch Engine oil drain valve, that I safety wired closed. Some members had concerns and stories of vandalism so I safety wired it for added security and peace of mind.
I used a #50 drill and . 032" dia. stainless steel wire. If you do not have a #50, a #40 will do just as good and any old wire. Don't forget to center punch prior to drilling.

I just changed my oil and filter last week and without a garage and temperatures in the High 20’s, it was one, two, and three.

Big Bob,
I am adding my name to this one. Maybe it will make the archives #ad

Joe Jahr

#ad



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<font color=forestgreen>2000</font> DODGE <font color=forestgreen>RAM</font>, <font color=forestgreen>2500 HD</font>, 4x4 SLT, Reg. Cab, <font color=forestgreen>Forest Green</font>, Agate interior, Cummins ISB, Auto, Shift-on-the-Fly (241HD), 4. 10 Anti-slip Rear, ABS, Trailer Tow Group, Camper Group, Michelin; DC: Fog Lights Kit, Tow Rings, Under rail bedliner, VentVisors, Mud Flaps, & Mats.
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[radixr]

Bob,

Another good reason for the finger touch drain plug is making it easy to take an oil sample.

I filed a flat on the threads at each point, used a center punch and a cordless drill to make the cross holes. I held the valve between two pieces of wood in my bench vise to drill it. I contemplated drilling two holes thru, but because of alignment concerns with a hand held drill, I drilled at four places.

 

[Scollins]

Well, I think I'll go with the finger touch. I might order the heavy duty one also, just to have a back up. I'll modify the plug as indicated in all the responses, as they all look like good ideas.

One last question for finger touch owners: how quickly does the oil drain out? I do plan to allow it to drain overnight when I change the oil, but that is not always feasible.

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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins. Slightly BOMBed! #ad

Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Mad Max]

#3 by IRRGANG Racing.

I tried the Femco unit (the non-finger valve kind) on both my gassers, BOTH WEAPED because of thread type on brass Femco Plugs.
Work in theory, messy as all crap in practice.

I have no experience with the Fulmoto (finger valve style), my only concern is that the Ram's ISB oil pan is already low with extending a drainplug down even farther, right off the bottom?

sounds like the perfect thing to have a blow recap whack on the hwy.

Choice is yours.

Good Luck

Max

 

[BIG BOB]

Bob,

I basically did as radixr did as far as drilling the plug. Use a vise to hold the plug, then used a cordless drill and drilled 2 holes all the way through the plug for a total of 4 drain holes.

Big Bob

 

[Bob Cochran]

Thanks gentlemen on the drilling tips and will use them. Since I am drilling might as well get the #50 drill out and saftey wire it also. Any one that has this type of plug ever had it open accidently or knocked off because of how low it is? Will buy one soon probably before next oil change.

 

[Happy Camper]

I have the EZ-Change with tube. I had it on my 97 and had no problem for 84,000mi. No weeping. I removed it and will put it on the 2001 the next time I change oil.
I have paper towels and clean the tube and wrap in a clean paper towel and put it in the door pockets. It is easy enough for me as I havent forgotten the hot oil running down to your arm pits doing it the old way.
Geno didn't have all the choices when I purched so It was the old way or Geno's one way.

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Bert
2001. 5,3500 QC 4x4, HO/6spd,limited slip,BD brake,60 gal Aero tank.

 

[dieselshadow]

Do you have to hold the finger touch valve open?

Nice safety, are you an aviation mechanic BigDaddy?

[This message has been edited by sixkill (edited 01-11-2001). ]