Do you have to drop the pan and tap a hole to install an transmission temp gauge on a 2001 CDT auto?

I have been wanting a trans guage also.I was going to get a manifold from Summit or Jegs and plumb it with that.I think we can do it in the return line.

You want it in the hot line not the return. Either way, a gauge in pan, hot line or return line is better than no gauge.

http://www.dieselmanor.com/dm_products/DM-CLG2.asp is pretty popular for the hot line crowd, I lost maybe a 1/2 qt of ATF installing this line.

Good luck.

This site rocks! Thanks 2500RAM![guitar]

thanks ram...thats alot better then dropping and tapping the pan

Use the manifold. It is the only good accurate way to get the real temps. in the pan is after it goes threw the cooler and back into the pan maybe 50* cooler than it realy is.

There is a cheaper way you can do that.

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=84329&highlight=napa+temp+gauge

I used the adapter from Diesel Mannor that plumbes it into the Line Pressure check hole. Cost $14.00 for the adapter.

another option i have been looking at is a double deep pan.
it has the 1/8 npt fitting for temp sensor built in
http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MH-727DD-9803

Less than 10 bucks and it's done! This is what I used on my '01:

http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=VULCAN_VTA

Pan is ok, but hot line is better. That's where mine is going...

Pan is ok, but hot line is better. That's where mine is going...

Exactly.
See this post for more info:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?p=1550103&posted=1#post1550103