Finally changed the ATF on my 2016 Ram 1500 ZF 8 speed

[nwjones18]

Well after putting it off for 10 months I finally changed the ATF on my Ram. Know this has been widely discussed but figured I'd post my experiences with my particular truck. My drain plug was so close to the exhaust you couldn't even get in a 10mm hex bit to open it. I used my 12v pump to suck the atf out the fill hole and managed to get enough out that I didn't make a mess when I dropped the pan. I may just suck out the fluid at the next change and not drop the pan at all...

Removing the pan required me to jack up the rear of the trans about an inch for the pan to have enough clearance to be removed. Refilling procedure is well documented and is just as annoying as it sounds. Burnt my hand on the exhaust despite wearing gloves. My truck took about 4.5 quarts of the Mopar ZF 8/9 spd fluid. I also used the 12v pump to put the fluid in which made that part much easier.

I used the Dorman pan (p/n 265-850) since I liked the idea of having a replaceable filter next time. Quality felt very "Dormanish" and I'm not sure how I feel about it now (had a broken magnet I replaced with one of the ones from the old pan). Hopefully it last and doesn't leak.

My truck has 70k miles on it and the fluid/pan looked fine when I removed. I think it easily could have done 100k before service, but nice to have it done and ZF recommends 60k mile changes.

Overall its a doable job, and at the rate I drive my truck (6-7k miles a year) it will be a long time before I have to service it again. Thank goodness.

​

 

[Kira]

the Dorman pan (p/n 265-850) since I liked the idea of having a replaceable filter next time.

1) I looked up the Dorman pan (friend has the same trans in a JGC). Replacement filters weren't listed. Did you score one?

2) With a dealership sourced pan and Amazon sourced fluid, the parts priced out at $350. What did it set you back?

 

[BornSlippy]

The PPE aluminum pan isn't much more than the Dorman. Thinking I may go that route if I keep the truck long enough.

 

[JeffKeryk]

All's well that ends well. Well done! A serviced trans always give me piece of mind. Of course, it should be far more simple...

 

[nwjones18]

1) I looked up the Dorman pan (friend has the same trans in a JGC). Replacement filters weren't listed. Did you score one?

Filter is available on RA or Amazon p/n 265850F

2) With a dealership sourced pan and Amazon sourced fluid, the parts priced out at $350. What did it set you back?

I think I’m in for $225

 

[nwjones18]

The PPE aluminum pan isn't much more than the Dorman. Thinking I may go that route if I keep the truck long enough.

I think if I were to do it again I might spring for the PPE pan as well.

 

[kitchbow]

I'm debating the PPE pan myself ?????? In the spring I usually suck out a gallon and replace ....12v pump also .much easier and clean ..did the pan at 75k ........ maxlife atf

 

[racer12306]

I've been wondering if you could suck fluid out of the fill hole but couldn't figure that out. Glad to know it worked for you. Might do that next time, however, I too have been contemplating the PPE pan for the next change.

Information from someone who has used it:

D

Post in thread '2018 VW Atlas ATF Question (Aisen 8-spd FWD)'

May 19, 2023

What did you think of the PPE pan?

It's nice, but when you get it brand new you have to take everything apart and give it a good cleaning.

Be patient when you install it, use the steel sleeves from the old pan (use Scotch-Brite to slightly sand the sleeves if they don't fit), use a brand new pan gasket and brand new bolts, and don't torque them over 8 ft-lb. Follow the PPE pattern, it works great, and go in two to three ft-lb increments until you get to 8 ft-lb, then go one or two more times over all bolts. You will never have a leak.

Finally, don't use the drain plug gasket that...

• Deleted member 89374

 

[nwjones18]

I've been wondering if you could suck fluid out of the fill hole but couldn't figure that out. Glad to know it worked for you. Might do that next time, however, I too have been contemplating the PPE pan for the next change.

Information from someone who has used it:

D

Post in thread '2018 VW Atlas ATF Question (Aisen 8-spd FWD)'

May 19, 2023

What did you think of the PPE pan?

It's nice, but when you get it brand new you have to take everything apart and give it a good cleaning.

Be patient when you install it, use the steel sleeves from the old pan (use Scotch-Brite to slightly sand the sleeves if they don't fit), use a brand new pan gasket and brand new bolts, and don't torque them over 8 ft-lb. Follow the PPE pattern, it works great, and go in two to three ft-lb increments until you get to 8 ft-lb, then go one or two more times over all bolts. You will never have a leak.

Finally, don't use the drain plug gasket that...

• Deleted member 89374

I think the PPE pan has the drain bolt in a different location which would be reason enough to use it on my 4wd Hemi truck.. Sucking the fluid out works fine other than there is a gush of fluid when you remove the fill bolt. There was very little fluid left in the pan after I used the extractor.

 

[racer12306]

I think the PPE pan has the drain bolt in a different location which would be reason enough to use it on my 4wd Hemi truck.. Sucking the fluid out works fine other than there is a gush of fluid when you remove the fill bolt. There was very little fluid left in the pan after I used the extractor.

Yeah, the hemi is the only engine with the cross over issue. The V6 and the Diesel do not have the cross over.

 

[High Performance Lubricants]

Good evening

I apologize for the delay. I have a pair of wranglers as well. The ATF for these is our ATF Green. We also have an all PAO version for cold climate depending on where you’re located.

David

 

[IndyFan]

Good evening

I apologize for the delay. I have a pair of wranglers as well. The ATF for these is our ATF Green. We also have an all PAO version for cold climate depending on where you’re located.

David

I don´t see anything about compatibility with the ZF 8 speed on the web site. Do you have a link to anything it says about that?

 

[Arc]

Well after putting it off for 10 months I finally changed the ATF on my Ram. Know this has been widely discussed but figured I'd post my experiences with my particular truck. My drain plug was so close to the exhaust you couldn't even get in a 10mm hex bit to open it. I used my 12v pump to suck the atf out the fill hole and managed to get enough out that I didn't make a mess when I dropped the pan. I may just suck out the fluid at the next change and not drop the pan at all...

Removing the pan required me to jack up the rear of the trans about an inch for the pan to have enough clearance to be removed. Refilling procedure is well documented and is just as annoying as it sounds. Burnt my hand on the exhaust despite wearing gloves. My truck took about 4.5 quarts of the Mopar ZF 8/9 spd fluid. I also used the 12v pump to put the fluid in which made that part much easier.

I used the Dorman pan (p/n 265-850) since I liked the idea of having a replaceable filter next time. Quality felt very "Dormanish" and I'm not sure how I feel about it now (had a broken magnet I replaced with one of the ones from the old pan). Hopefully it last and doesn't leak.

My truck has 70k miles on it and the fluid/pan looked fine when I removed. I think it easily could have done 100k before service, but nice to have it done and ZF recommends 60k mile changes.

Overall its a doable job, and at the rate I drive my truck (6-7k miles a year) it will be a long time before I have to service it again. Thank goodness.

​

I have a hex bit cut off short just for the transfer case drain on my RAM. Why they put the exhaust pipe that close I will never know.

 

[racer12306]

I don´t see anything about compatibility with the ZF 8 speed on the web site. Do you have a link to anything it says about that?

https://www.hplubricants.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ATF-PDS.pdf

They list compatibility with fluid part numbers including the Mopar 8&9 Speed Fluid and Lifeguard 8 and 9.

 

[Cmarti1961]

FWIW. Just noted the threads. I did a pan swap and fill at 70K on a 2018 Ram w/3.6 I bought new. Filter and pan were clean, fluid darker than I thought. Assuming the right amount, I completed two more "drain and fills" from the fill port to avoid the abomination of a fill procedure again.

I park on a slope on my driveway to level the transmission. Jack up the passenger side to where the tires are just touching and 12 v pump out 3.5 qts, then pump in 3.5 qts (marked container). Run 20 seconds in P,N,D,R. No runs, drips or errors.

I used Max Life ATF. I just repeated a 3 time drain and fill at 120K. Each drain and fill takes 15 minutes. Will not drop the pan again, but will drain and fill at 170K if the truck still runs and I am still alive.

 

[kitchbow]

Very similar to what I do ........ I didn't buy pan yet maybe just drain and fill again .... save 200 bucks

 

[QwikKota]

Yes, leveling the transmission is critical for the correct fluid level. I had to jack mine up nearly a foot. I have the PPE pan, the slight deeper one. I added about 7 quarts. The level needs to be topped off in a specific temp window for the fluid.

 

[kitchbow]

Yes, leveling the transmission is critical for the correct fluid level. I had to jack mine up nearly a foot. I have the PPE pan, the slight deeper one. I added about 7 quarts. The level needs to be topped off in a specific temp window for the fluid.

View attachment 333161

View attachment 333162

Oh sorry ........... I might just drain and fill .... wish you could dump torque converter...... only 1 ford trans I know of you could many moons ago

 

[QwikKota]

I'm not seeing a reply.

 

[stenerson]

I did my first fluid change on my 2018 Ram 1500 3.6L about 18 months ago. I also used PPE pan, drained and filled 3 times this past year. This 1st fluid change at 160K miles (my bad). Good news is blackstone lab test said fluid was still in pretty good shape. I replaced with Amsoil signature series, fuel efficient ATL.