Hey guys,

I decided to wait on my transmission fluid change until I purchase a new trans pan. I want to hear from those of you that have them.

Why choose one versus the other?

Do I NEED a deeper pan? I do tow quite often particularly during the spring and summer months.

Any install issues with either?

I'm not really concerned with the price aspect since they are about the same, depending on finish. More concerned with the quality, ease of installation, and ease of use.

Thanks for any help.

Jason

 

I'm not sure if things have changed, but traditionally the mag hytecs have always been a hundred or more dollars more than pml. The pml guys say that powdercoat or paint is an insulator, and that the raw/silver option is the way to go.

Price aside, I will say that the placement of the drain plug in the PML pan pretty much shoots the fluid directly at the driveshaft, and will splash/bathe you with fluid, unless you are ready for it. This is avoided very simply by putting a piece of cardboard, or anything you might grab to deflect the fluid and direct it downward. Since someone else was nice enough to tell me this, I had zero issues and no fluid on me the last time when draining.

 

I have the Mag pan and thought the price was high when I ordered it but after getting it I realized the construction is heavy duty and justified the price. It uses allen head bolts which was a pain for me because I don't have any allen toolbits for my air ratchet. I was going to use my old pan bolts but they won't work because the heads of the bolts hit the side of the pan (or the socket did). Also, the bolts are zinc coated and although they haven't rusted yet they have that cheap, thin coating look as if they will rust.

Never seen a PML so can't compare.

My vote is to go for the double deep version. More fluid can only help your tranny live longer.

 

I vote for a PML with fancy Allen bolts

 

I have the PML rear cover for almost 2 years now. I had the front cover too but had to return it because it didn't fit right (the old style but I heard that's fixed now). Anyway, I was changing the fluid this weekend and the darn fill hole up top is striped! The fill plug just spins hand tight then get loose again. Don't know how but I'm weary of the cover now. I just started loosing fluid out of the front of it and it's spraying on my pass rear tires and fender well. Don't know if this has anything to do with the cover but I'm switching back to the factory cover to take it to the dealer to check out. I think I'll get an extractor so I can suck the old fluid out of the factory covers without dropping them. I'm a little disappointed in the PML since I followed the directions perfectly yet still managed to have an issue. Maybe I should have used anti-seize on the threads? If I do get a new cover it will be the Mag-hytec but that's still a big maybe.

 

I've got both covers & a pan from PML. I'll be changing out the fluids in another 4K so I don't know how I like them yet. They were all easy to install & haven't had any issues.

 

I had a PML on my 2000 Dana 80. Theirs don't use o-rings to seal, just RTV silicone. The quality seemed OK. As far as the trans pan goes, I'm looking at the Mag Hy-tek double deep or the ATS pan. I just want lots of fluid to help keep the auto alive

 

So far no issues with my PML diff cover. I'm a firm believer in using antiseize for bolts threading into aluminum.

MikeyB

 

Actually, the new PML ones use the factory gasket which I have had no leaks yet after 15K.

 

Does PML give a torque value for the fill/drain plugs. I understand that the PML fill hole is at the correct level and that the MagHytec is not. Anyone confirm this?

Pete

 

Not sure honestly, I just used the 'snug & then bump it' method.

 

Yes for both (level check hole). The plugs are 20 ft. lbs.

MikeyB

 

I have the MagHT and think it would be better because of all the features it has over the PML. When I had my tranny upgraded we had some issues with the TQ converter and the laminated flex plate. We tore the tranny down three times in about a month. The double deep drain plug worked perfectly. One word of caution if you go with the double deep. Dont plan on going rock crawling - it hangs down within maybe two inches above the tranny support.