Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Double deep pan and temps

[DWest]

Ordered a double deep trans. pan from Geno's and a temp gauge, what I need to know now is what are temps for normal operation and what are safe maximums? Does the extra 4 quarts make a differance in temps and how the fluid holds up? Would this also be a good time to add a remote cooler and fan, or is this over kill for someone who never tows over 7000 lbs? DW

 

[Big White Beast]

Here's my tale.........

I had my DTT mods done in October of 01. Temps never seemed to be a problem through the winter. As summer temps got hotter I noticed the transmission temps going up a little. I have the Mag single deep pan, about 2 extra quarts I think.



Anyway I added some fans to the stock transmission cooler on the front. I was able to slow the rise of the temps but not stop them or lower them. When I added the fans I also put a second sender in the pan to monitor the pan temps.



Temps are 150° on the line in normal driving. Pan temps are about 10° under this. After pulling up to a light the line temps start to rise quickly, typical stop light yields 180°, yet the pan temps barely change. The worst I've had on a hot day was line temps of 210° and the pan only climbed 10°. Turning on the fans slows the process down. I wouldn't spend the money or time again.



With your double deep pan I would guess that the pan temps will climb even slower due to the extra fluid. Unless your temps are going way higher than these I wouldn't sweat it.



Garrett

 

[rblomquist]

I've noticed about a 10 degree drop in average temps running empty with the DD pan. The difference under load is a lot greater as the fluid stays cooler and rises much more slowly than with the stock pan. Assuming that my trans pan dipstick sensor is fairly accurate mine normally reads around 150 in the pan running empty or loaded on flat ground. When I start running up and down some of these west coast mountain passes it will heat up to around 175 and if it can't stay locked up I've seen it as high as 200. I will back down to keep it under 200 and I must say that normally it won't climb that high. This is runing around 18k GVW with the typical wind-sail front on my trailer.



There's a lot of debate about what a safe temp in the pan is and I've seen a few posts say up to 225 is ok for short periods but I believe the key is for you to notice what the "normal" temp in your truck is then adjust to what you feel comfortable with. I believe that the hot line is the best measurement but not everyone runs on the hairy-@$$ edge where they need to watch it that carefully and can do ok with measuring the pan temps.



Just use common sense and enjoy the DD pan, it's one of the better mods I've done to my rig.

 

[JR2]

I have the DD pan and the sensor is in the pan, I see a max of 150 degrees in the pan and that is stop and go traffic in town.



JR2

 

[DWest]

Thanks for replys

Thanks guys for the replys, it was just the kind of information I was looking for. DW