I bought the PML trans pan as a Christmas present to myself and finally got around to installing it today. Went OK. I put down a garbage bag and put my oil catch pan on that. I was able to drop the stock pan and get most of the fluid into the catch pan, but more than a little ended up on the plastic bag too. I can't see any easy way to do this without making a mess. Glad I've got a drain plug now.

The only surprise was that the trans filter was held on by two Torx head screws. Fortunately I found the right bit in the bottom of my tool box... Also... the pan is aluminum, so the donut from the steel pan doesn't stick to it. Then I realized that the drain plug is a magnet!, so I didn't put the donut from the stock pan back in. I hope that was OK. I refilled through the dipstick, the only way to do that is with a LONG funnel, fortunately I had one that fit perfect.

It looks like dropping the pan drained about 6-7 quarts of ATF, on re-fill it tool between 8 and 9 quarts to top off, +2 quarts as advertised I'd say. I'll post my new towing temps in spring when I pull the FW out of storage.

If I understand this right, the trans filter is good for a LONG time, so all I need to do is drain the pan every once in a while to keep a fresh mix of ATF in there. I'm thinking 20K miles? The manual says 30K... but that's for all the fluid and the pan only holds? half? less than half?

fyi - PML Pan

 

Yep, sounds right. Mine took 9 qts. Installed mine last week-end. Pics in Gallery.
Its a great product.

 

I would change the filter every second fluid change, at that schedule, and set the bands when the filter is done.

 

Dave,

If you haven't already, get the PML Diff. Cover too. It's a sweet cover just like the trans. pan.

BTW: After my PML trans. pan install and new filter, mine took 9 quarts, so you're right on the money.

Great advice given by torquefan........I firmly believe if you take care of the 48RE by folloiwng a strict schedule, it will take care of you. I mentioned before that my Service Manual makes adjusting the bands seem so easy a caveman could do it.......just had to use the Gieco line.

 

yes, I got the diff cover. It was installed first - real easy.
trans pan was harder, but only because of the raining fluid. Now with a drain plug even a filter change should be a snap.

 

Morning Members,

You guys have found out what a lot of our customers have, the PML products are excellent at a very reasonable price to boot!

As an Update the 10303 front diff cover has been hitting the frame on a couple of trucks in the last week or so. We suspect Dodge has changed something as we ahve been selling them for months without any problems at all. In typical PML fashion they have sent out return UPS tags and are totally taking care of any situations that have occured, wish all of our vendors were anywhere near as nice! Anyway wanted to let you folks know what is going on and what kind of company they are. If we can help you with a PML product just let us know.

Mark @ DPPI

 

What is used to lower the filter into the deeper pan? Have you found any reduction in fluid temperature with the PML pan?

 

do they have a web site ?

 

the PML trans pan does not require a longer pick-up tube
Here's the website

http://www.yourcovers.com/

 

web site
http://www.dieselperformanceparts.co...&e_unique=9393

btw - first towing with it this weekend. Hard to say... I'm running a bit cooler on the open road and I have some extra time before stop/go traffic causes the temp to climb - though it still climbs. It may be my imagination, but I also think the temps drop quicker once I get on the open road again.

Finally... backing into my driveway used to really make the temps spike. Yesterday I only hit 210 backing in, then again I hit it on the first try and didn't need to mess around much to get in place.