So we're going on a road trip, pulling a 24 ft. 5th wheel trailer with our '99 2500 QC 4X4 LB AT. It's all stock except for a 4" exhaust system. I just ordered guages: EGT, fuel pressure, and AT temp guage.

So, I was advised that to install the AT guage, I need to put a drain plug in the pan to accept the sensor. This requires some drilling and welding, I believe. That, or buy a new pan with a plug in it already.

Herein lies the problem! I am searching around like crazy for a replacement pan with a plug in it, but all I can find are the expensive deep pans. I can't do the welding, don't know anyone who could do it for me, and to drop our stock pan to take it somewhere will be tough because my husband will be gone with our other vehicle, so our truck is my transportation - can't drive it once the pan is dropped! That's why I figured to get another pan with the plug in it.

Any ideas? Seems your usual auto parts places don't go so far as to carry transmission pans.

TIA
betsycam
'99 CTD 2500 QC 4X4 AT LB, white
4" exhaust, herculiner

 

Chrysler, or E-Bay, or a junk yard. Junk yard may be the cheapest, and they should have one, the pan will interchange on the 46re 46rh, and the 47re, 47rh.

 

Don't put the sensor in the pan. That is the coolest fluid in the tranny as the return from the tranny cooler dumps it in the pan. There is a replacement line that goes between the tranny and the cooler. It is the hot line. This certain line is available from Dodge and has a fitting already on it that will accept a temp sensor.

Dodge part# 5011244-aa /tube oil 7014002

Don't know how much it would cost but it will give the best reading as to what the tranny is doing.

 

You should be able to buy it from your dodge dealer for about 85.00.

 

.....another vote for the trans line with the fitting for the sensor.

 

I have a stock pan in exellent condition with the female fitting already welded in and ready for a temp sensor or drain plug. I used this pan with temp sensor in it for about 1 year before removing.

Only reason I'm going to get rid of it is I now have the Mag-Tec tranny pan since I got the DTT tranny.

You can e-mail me at Ronw626@aol.com

 

betsycam,

The guys are right about getting the best temp reading from the output line, however you can monitor the pan fluid as well by adding approx 15% to the reading you get at the pan to get the output fluid temp in most cases.

We stock a high capacity pan that has cap screw stainless hardware, magnetic drain plug, and bosses for sending units if you so desire etc. The also don't go over board on the capacity increase. It has been shown that too much extra fluid will actually only delay cold start heat ups, and when towing in mountainous terrain it will also hinder cool off temps too. The pans we have add a little more than 2 quarts and that not only saves you money if you change to synthetic fluid but also is the correct amount of fluid to allow the pump and cooler to operate as efficient as possible. If you add too much capacity the pump can't circulate it and the cooler can't throw thet heat off of that "too" much extra fluid. We get the same 25-30 degrees tranny temp drop at a lot less pan cost and a lot less fluid cost.

Mark @ DPPI

Mark @ DPPI

 

Last option that I know of is to use compression fittings from NAPA or ? and put the gauge in your current line. I have read here about people doing it that way. Try a search and you should find that it can be done very easy with just a few tools cheaply in about 1-2 hours. Try searching "NAPA tranny gauge" . Just my .002


good-luck

 

Thanks JR - I had no idea about this! And thank you, all the other guys, for adding to this!

Anyway, are there any instructions or pictures you know of that could help me on this since my Haynes guide doesn't even mention tranny cooling or the hot line? It sure sounds a lot easier than putting a plug in the pan!


betsycam

 

The line is simple to remove, one connection at the cooler and one at the tranny on the passenger side. On the new line with the fitting, there is a check valve i believe on the fitting you have to use for the temp sensor. This fitting is a test port I believe. A small screwdriver will usually be sufficient to pop the ball out so you can screw in the temp sensor. I have yet to do this on my truck (i will though when Christmas comes around and I get my guage set), but others on this site have and can fill in the detail I may have missed. That new line is a direct replacement and will fit like the old one. Good luck to you.

 

I thought that it was just a threaded hole?

 

It may be, I am not sure since Iv'e never seen it. I have heard on this site that it has a check ball that has to be removed for the temp sensor to fit.

 

Check out this thread for all info you need!
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=46992

I just bgt & installed the 1995 oil cooler line on my 02. Price is up to $114.00 from Dodge, but well worth it.

Temp readings from oil cooler line are much more meaningful, IMO...especially if dealing with a stock tranny.

RJ

 

Dude,
You need to talk to your dealer, I just ordered mine part no. 5011244-AA, it cost me 85.50

 

Okay, so I had to pay $114 plus tax, too - ouch!

I had second thoughts and thought maybe I should do the do-it-yourself way, but then thought of the simplicity of just going with the Dodge line. I've just got to not think about the money!

The answer may already be out there, but as for installing this thing, what's the torque specs on those connections?

betsycam