Ronin Oil Drain Plug installed on '25 Ranger Raptor (Fitment Concerns)

[banjo5]

I just did my first oil change today at 1250 miles and installed the Ronin drain plug which is also their updated version. I installed it per the instructions with the notch at about 7 o'clock, pushed in and turned until it clicked and popped back out a small amount. The concern I have is that the wave washer doesn't compress fully and the Ronin doesn't sit flush to the oil pain hole like seen in the installation videos which I think were done on an F150. I'm curious if anyone else has installed this on their RR and see a similar fitment. It doesn't leak and I can't turn it any further to tighten it and it won't loosen without pushing in and turning to the left. Also the gold cap when installed shows the logo as expected. I tested the drain function with the residual oil in the pan to make sure it all worked before I closed everything up and added the new oil (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30). The videos I have found for RRs doesn't show the angle I'm putting in the photo below to see the small gap. I'm going to look for some Bronco Raptor videos as well but just seems a bit odd that it doesn't sit flush. Any inputs are appreciated and hopefully someone can post a picture of their Ronin installed and compare the fitment/gap.

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[superj]

Dang, that is a huge gap

 

[boraxman]

Ya thats not right, did you follow the directions exactly? Will need to.

 

[banjo5]

Followed them exactly and it did click into place and I have to push in and turn to the left to loosen it and it won't turn any further to the right. I'm not happy with that gap either so may just sacrifice 7 quarts and drain it out and put the ford plug back in for now. Don't fully trust it with that gap. I sent a message to Ronin as well and offered to send them pictures. If anyone has this on their RR, I would love to see a picture of it installed from the side angle.

 

[banjo5]

Dang, that is a huge gap

Exactly. I'm just curious if the 3.0L oil pan is just a bit different at the drain hole in how far it extends out. Before I put oil in I removed and installed a few times and it clicked in and doesn't leak. I'm still not confident in it at this point.

 

[Quick]

Is the washer loose? I.e., no tension?

They had a youtube video where they explained that washer isn’t supposed to be flat, as you push it in to turn it to take it back out. They didn’t say how compressed it was supposed to be, however. I think it was in their comparison vid of the different ford oil pans.

 

[banjo5]

Is the washer loose? I.e., no tension?

They had a youtube video where they explained that washer isn’t supposed to be flat, as you push it in to turn it to take it back out. They didn’t say how compressed it was supposed to be, however. I think it was in their comparison vid of the different ford oil pans.

I submitted an email to Ronin and have gotten quick replies back from them. I sent them the pictures and they confirmed that with the new plug that I have that the gap is normal. Here is their exact quote:

"The gap is completely normal with the new plug, which is likely why you haven’t seen many that look the same. Ford recently updated the oil pan tabs, which led to the design of this new plug—hence the different appearance.

As long as it’s installed correctly, you’re good to go! From what I can see, everything looks totally normal."

I will say that it seems to act like it should in that it seemed to seat properly, installed per their instructions, doesn't appear to leak and can't be removed without pushing in and turning to the left. I'm going to put it on the ramps again tomorrow and try to boost my confidence by testing it a bit more. If I have any concerns I'll just sacrifice the 7 quarts and put the OEM plug back in. If anyone has this or plans to put this on their Raptor at least you'll have something to reference now.

 

[banjo5]

Is the washer loose? I.e., no tension?

They had a youtube video where they explained that washer isn’t supposed to be flat, as you push it in to turn it to take it back out. They didn’t say how compressed it was supposed to be, however. I think it was in their comparison vid of the different ford oil pans.

I will check tomorrow regarding the tension on the washer when I have it back on the jack stands.

 

[hand-filer]

There's nothing wrong with your installation. That's exactly how it should look. The tension washer is not supposed to be fully compressed for it to function as intended.
I've had the Ronin drain valve on my Lincoln for 5 1/2 years and the Ranger gets one next week.
Don't over think it, your good to go.

 

[banjo5]

There's nothing wrong with your installation. That's exactly how it should look. The tension washer is not supposed to be fully compressed for it to function as intended.
I've had the Ronin drain valve on my Lincoln for 5 1/2 years and the Ranger gets one next week.
Don't over think it, your good to go.

Thanks and I hope you post pictures of your Ranger after installation. I had the Ronin on my 2017 F150 3.5L and it fit as mentioned in the installation videos. It snapped in and didn't have a gap. I went back out and put the RR on the ramps, removed the skid plate and checked everything again and took some quick video clips as requested by Ronin. I think it is working as expected as well based on their response. I also think these new oil pans will have a different experience from their installation videos so hopefully this helps others that might face similar concerns. There is slight tension on the wave spring and it compresses some when pushing in to loosen/remove the plug. It made me feel better to confirm again that it feels locked in and won't turn without pushing in and also no signs of leaking. I wouldn't call it over thinking but more being overly cautious when the experience is different than expected or as presented by the manufacturer. I am impressed that they responded promptly on a Saturday and confirmed things looked correct for these new oil pans.

 

[boraxman]

Well here a pic I just took of mine..

 

[banjo5]

Well here a pic I just took of mine..

Thanks for taking the picture for comparison. Mine definitely has a bigger gap but still seems to function as expected. Do you have the new style plug or the old one? The new one has the writing over the emblem on the gold cap and the old style does not. I suspect it is something different with the 2025s or just inconsistencies in the production of these oil pans. I went out and verified mine again and it seems to be locked in pretty well and won't turn without pushing it in and the wave washer has some tension on it and not loose.

 

[boraxman]

Not sure, heres the link for the exact one I bought and its on my 24 Ranger Raptor.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H56TP4F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[banjo5]

Not sure, heres the link for the exact one I bought and its on my 24 Ranger Raptor.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H56TP4F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Interesting. That link shows the old style pre-2025. How long ago did you buy it? I think either one works except for those with the flush tabs on some oil pans which is why they redesigned it. I just wonder if the redesign results in a little different behavior on regular pans. Their response indicated that everything looks as expected with the new plug on my RR. Honestly, it is mainly the gap that had me concerned the most but it seems to function as described.

 

[hand-filer]

The revision they made would explain why the gap appears larger (new style) and why some don't. I have the original drain valve so it will likely have a smaller gap when installed.
I'll post some images when I install it. Either way I'd be comfortable with the new or original version.
PS. Good choice for oil. It's all I use in my Ecoboosts.

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