I've got an o6 Dakota quad cab 2WD with V8. Fixing to change the oil. Filter is easy to get too. Is that the drain plug towards the back of the engine facing at an angle to the rear end?? Sounds silly just don't want too screw it up. Thanks.

 

Yes thats the Oil plug! Also make sure when you take the filter off to make sure the gasket comes off with it. And before installing the new filter rub a little oil on the new gasket

 

Just make sure when putting the plug and filter back in that they're hand tight. They'll both tighten more with the heating/cooling and the plug can strip out where as the filter can be a PITA to remove later.


.02

 

I would never send a vehicle down the road with the drain plug hand tight!!!!!
If it loosens you lose an engine. Filter yes hand tight only.

 

I tend to wipe the plug off after getting it out also, along with the surface where the filter sits. Be very strick on cleanliness. Yeah and like Badkota said just hand tighten, dont overtighten. Just my thoughts GOOD LUCK

Atleast this isnt the trucks first oil change. The factory filter on mine was a son of a to break loose. It was extremely tight. I ended up crushing the filter before it broke free.

 

Thanks for the help guys...plug is out and I came in to let it drain very thorough. It was somewhat tight, but came off with a few taps from the opposite end of another wrench. Filter is loose and gonna take it off the rest of the way when pan is finished draining...hence so I can move my drain pan over under filter. I'm switching to MObil 1 synthetic. I ran that in my 89 Toyota I had for many years. Got 287,000 miles out of it before trading it. Everything underneath looks pretty good best I can tell. Looks like maybe a littl dark from oil or grease builing up under neath the area behind the drain plug near what I think is tranny maybe. Maybe tranny is farther back. Doesn't look like anything is leaking just dsomeaht stained from inside the area. That probably makes no sense but thanks for the help fellas.

 

I do mean hand-tight with a wrench and a smidge after it seems tight. Most oil pan drain bolts are torqued to only 15ft-35ft. Depends. Most OVER torque. Not by hand and that's it.

 

Thats 1 thing they got right with this truck. Changing the oil is clean as can be, and the oil slide that they put under the oil filter was a great idea, i just loosen it up, and let it sit and drain right down the slide. Nothing in the way of the drain plug stream or the oil filter stream.

It's a real DIY friendly setup!

 

yours a 4x4? Try it with my truck and you'll get an oil bath with your change. skid plates make it all the worse.

 

Ya, I don't think I have the same truck underneath as you.. when I change my oil I get it EVERRRYWHERE!!!

Not sure how you think it's clean...