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Deep transmission Pans?

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Well, until recently I would have really doubted the idea of increasing the usable capacity of an auto. I just had an auto 518 that had a leak between the OD housing and the main body. Before I could get to it to stop the leak, I seriously damage a trans with less than a thousand miles on it. I only had to add fluid to it twice and never over 2 qts. It doesn't take much (now that I've just learned this) to hurt one of these fluid monsters. Now I figure if I have an extra four quarts usable I might just save a trans that developed a leak. This is the only real reason that I am changing pans to the Hughes Aluminum. I'm also adding a place at the rear on the pan for my transmission temp guage. All the hype about more fluid running cooler and adding more lubrication just makes my eyes roll back in my head. Now, if a $169 deep transmission pan will help save a VERY expensive transmission, I'm all for it.
 
The claims about added volume aren't all the same, it's kind of an apples to oranges comparison. This is because the early years of the OD trans had a stock pan that held 2 more quarts than the non-OD pans. At some point (not sure when, could have been the RH to RE conversion), the stock volume was increased two more quarts to be a total of 4 quarts more than the non-OD pans. The best way to compare would be to measure from the gasket surface to the bottom of the pan.



I bought a B&M because the price was good ($118 at the local AutoZone), it has a decent drain plug and it's thick enough to help stiffen the case. I did do some comparing last year at TiM. That Mag-Hytek DD sure is nice but I couldn't quite justify the price.
 
For the guys that bought the MagTech Double deep... Any issuses with the install or did it just bolt right up? I have a 2006 2500 4x4. I want to get a new transmission pan and rear diff cover. MagTech looks like good stuff. If there were any issues with the install please let me know.
 
It will bolt right up. Not that other brands of pans & covers are not good and will do the job, but if you demand the best, there is NOTHING of higher quality and appearance than Mag-Hytec!
 
The pretty powder coated surfaces insulate the pan a bit and slow down the cooling process of the air moving accross the pan.
 
For easy fluid change just install a B&m drain plug kit. drill a 1/2' hole in the pan then install the drain plug. . also remember the cost of the fluid with each change you do,adds up fast. To keep temps down I installed a remote trans cooler w/fan under the bed of the truck,works great when in traffic or parking my camper. .
 
My first transmission upgrade was an auxilary cooler with a fan that kicked on and off at 160 degrees. The cooler seemed to drop temps by about 15-20 degrees. Then I installed a mag hytec deep pan which didn't help overall cooling but did slow down how long it took to heat up on steep grades. So in my opinion the extra capacity pan doesn't run any cooler it just takes longer to heat up, which can be a good thing when towing on long grades.
 
My first transmission upgrade was an auxilary cooler with a fan that kicked on and off at 160 degrees. The cooler seemed to drop temps by about 15-20 degrees. Then I installed a mag hytec deep pan which didn't help overall cooling but did slow down how long it took to heat up on steep grades. So in my opinion the extra capacity pan doesn't run any cooler it just takes longer to heat up, which can be a good thing when towing on long grades.

The slower heat up time is what I think also, but this also translates into more fluid volume to cool down also which will take a little longer.
 
My truck has the 68RE trans using the ATS deep pan, and I just returned from a trip pulling a 32 ft toy hauler loaded to the gills with ATV's and a RZR. Temerature outside was in the mid 90's. I pulled several long grades of 8 percent, and my transmission temp never saw more than 175 F. My transmission is full of the Amsoil ATF as well, which does help to cool also.
 
I had the single deep Mag-Hytec on my '99 DTT. It did serve to stiffen the transmission case and made service a snap. Do to the 89% torque converter mine would get seriously hot waiting at the border down here. I had to constantly put it in neutral to keep the temps down.

My bolts would loosen up frequently until I started using blue threadlocker. No issues after that.

That truck with the DTT would scoot.
 
Several slowed assents in a hot Summewr PA due to slow traffic caused a Trans Temp Alarm. Long story short, I opted for the following transmission aux cooler. I saw no advantage for finned deep transmission pans when sitting still or going very slow, especially uphill. Local diesel shop did a creative & most functional install [$500] on drivers side below floor pan. It's the best one Derale offered 2 yrs. ago.

DERALE Remote Mounted "Hyper Extreme" Transmission Fluid Cooler w/integral 15" weather sealed fan, P/N 15870 $329; 180/165 Deg. Fan thermostat P/N 15721 $25; 180 deg. (Winter) bypass valve w/brkt P/N 25792 $60; Parker HiTemp hose & "Push-Lok" fittings $95; SS mtg. hardware $5; Shipping $15.
 
Went in today for service work and while transmission was off the teck drilled and tapped for my transmission sensor. I have had it connected to the hot line with the gizmo I purchased from Geno's. 93.5k miles on my truck now. After 50k plus miles the bottom of pan was very clean.

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