Thinking of using a PML xtra deep trans pan. Would the additional 4.5 qts of ATF, plus cooling fins be enough to signifigantly reduce transmission temps. i do a lot of towing. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Significant is a bit vague, but the extra capacity and fins on the pan will certainly provide more cooling and insurance. Need more? Then go with as large a trans cooler as you can find and fit, along with a fan.

I would like to do a pan swap when its service time (or sooner) as well.

 

Ya, significantly is vague, didn't know another way to express it. i would not spend the $230 if it was not going to help keep temps lower. The trans cooler you mentioned. Is that in addition to the stock cooler or replacing the stock cooler?

 

Derale makes a nice unit that can be used in addition to the factory cooler.

 

I have heard a few different thoughts on the pans, but I generally hear the cooler is the better upgrade, and should be the first.. The reason being you now have more fluid, and more hot fluid so if the cooler is undersized for the task at hand it will take longer to cool the extra fluid.

 

Thank you for the response, some things to think about. i'm checking into that Derale cooler. AH64 thanks for your service to this great country. ya all have a safe 4th.

 

May I jump in? I was also thinking of a deper pan from Mag Hi-tec. I think an additional cooler would be better. Where would you find a Derale cooler? Thanks, Jim.

 

Megacab, that is a good looking cooler. would you mount it in front of all those coolers we have? i think there are 4 of em. i found this product by entering Derale in my yahoo search window and it came right up. $40 to $60 is a lot cheaper than the trans pan.

 

Hi, I change out my stock transmission pan in March of 09. I have pulled a 5er for three years with my 2008 Mega Cab. The first year when pulling out west in the Bad Lands, I saw trans temps in the 180 to 220 Deg F. The GCVW of the truck and camper was 18,200 LBS and the ambient air temps were in the low 90's F. After installing the Mag-Hytec pan I have never seen transmission temp's above 180 F. I towed this year in NC and TN with ambient air temps in the 96 to 98 Deg F range.
In my opinion the AL pans do lower the transmission oil temps somewhat and the extra capacity also helps.
Just my $0.02
Jim

 

my double deep pan lowered my trans temps from 80degree above ambient to 70 degrees above ambient temp

 

Yea i think i will go with derale when i get one. I too am wondering where the best place to mount it would be.

 

The first thing to remember is that the aluminum pan will transfer heat about three times better then the steel one. The problem is, not enough surface area and/or air flow to make a significant difference. My own personal experience has shown an average 10-15 degree reduction in overall temperature with the Mag-Hytec double deep pan.

So, it does help. I like it for the extra capacity and the drain plug also. But if your gonna tow really heavy and hard, I would ad an extra cooler with built in electric fan. That would be the most efficient way to gain the extra cooling.

 

Bluetek, other than some differences in $ and time you can't go wrong either way. They are both proven to lower the temps and both are significant I would say. The cooler route is probably the most significant. The pans are nice because one can easily add in a sensor for gauges in a port all ready there. If you get the cooler with fan then you can stick it anywhere it would fit, even under the truck. This way, you are sure to get air flow which is mandatory for a cooler and don't worry about blocking other items needing airflow for cooling. It you can fit up front then that should be fine. I bet there are some nice pics and installations of this cooler somewhere here on DTR.

 

Thank all for the info. i'm going with the pan first which will provide a source for trans temp. Mega-engr, i never thought about placing the cooler with fan under the vehicle, good idea, thanks. i should get the blinders off, can't see the forest because of the trees....

 

You really want to put the trans temp gauge in the hot line. The fluid is the first thing to get damaged from heat, then the burnt fluid causes damage to the trans. The hot line will tell you the hottest the fluid ever gets. Pan temps can be 0-60* different than hot line temps.