Replacing Transmission Pan

[Mossyoakglock]

I am going to be changing my transmission fluid in the next few weeks and thought about adding a drain plug to the pain. I am not exactly comfortable with drilling a hole in the pan to add a drain plug so I had a thought. Would I be able to get a pan from a 2000 4L60E with a drain plug and replace mine? I would assume that the pans are the same for the 4L60E over the years, atleast from 2000 on.

 

Would this work? They are only about $30 from RockAuto.

 

If this would work, does anybody have the part number for the pan with the drain plug?

[jblakeney]

IDK, about swapping pans..... As long as it is a 4L60E it probably will swap... As long as you put the same type pan back. e.g. deep or shallow filtration pan.

 

Why the crap would they do that... It took them sooooo long to finally put us a drain plug in and then they take it away.... How much could that have cost to have that plug put in the pan at manufacturing time.

 

Jbo

[c03camson]

I changed my fluid a while back and didnt put a drain plug in which was a big mistake so I went out and bought one the other day. Just need the time and money to do it but it doesnt really seem like a big deal to drill a hole in the pan. Its a lot cheaper and if you screw it up you can just buy an aftermarket pan with a drain plug. JMO

[Mossyoakglock]

It's not that I don't want to drill the hole in the pan, it's more of the possibility of it leaking since I don't have access to a welder and would rather have it welded up.

 

My sister has an 06 Envoy with the same transmission and a deep pan as well. My thinking was that I can buy a new OEM pan with the drain plug and replace it, then I can use my old pan and put in a drain plug and if it works and doesn't leak I can replace my sister's tranmission pan with my old one with the drain plug so we both have pans with drain plugs.

 

 

I agree though, how expensive could it have been to have a tranmission pan with a drain plug?

[FarmerDave]

The whole concept behind not having a drain plug is that you are forced to drop the pan and clean it. Hard to clean it when you don't take it off..

[Bob D]

The whole concept behind not having a drain plug is that you are forced to drop the pan and clean it...

I wholly agree, but it is MUCH easier and less tedious / time consuming to drop an empty pan vs. a full one, not to mention a LOT less messy.

MHO: If you're going to keep the truck for a few years, and the cost is <$40, go for it.

[RaddHazzard]

And from what ive heard the stock drain plugs were in balls tight so they were pretty much pointless.

[Bob D]

And from what ive heard the stock drain plugs were in balls tight so they were pretty much pointless.

Curious you should mention.

Could NOT get mine off with a 6 point socket (just rounded it off). Bought a new one and plan to install with next fluid change.

Anticipate chewing up original with my biggest vice-grips in attempt to loosen / remove.

[vester]

I just use a fluid extractor and don't worry about the drain plug. This also works great for power steering, brake fluid and a quick rear diff fluid change without dropping the cover.

[Bronc]

Good idea Vester. Is the mityvac unit graduated in order to see how many quarts you pulled out?

 

On another note, I have often wondered when going to an aftermarket aluminum pan such as MagHytec etc. if you are doing harm by not having the larger magnet in place from the stock pan. This is especially a concern after reading the TSB from GM that explained how to add a second magnet in order to catch the debris that can be picked up by the solenoid control valves internal magnet and, as a result, fluctuating the line pressure.

[vester]

Good idea Vester. Is the mityvac unit graduated in order to see how many quarts you pulled out?

 

 

Yes, it is graduated. The version I linked to (which I own) will also reverse and pump out the fluid so you can easily fill bottles to take to the oil recycling center.

[larry arizona]

To answer your question a 2000 pan will fit your transmission. Strange but TRUE story, I tried to get the drainplug out of my 2002 Sierra and it would not come loose. Called the dealer and they informed me that GM loctites them in place so that the don't leak or come loose. It is basically a half drainplug anyway because it is recessed into the pan and leaves quite a bit of trans fluid in the pan. So I work in the auto industry in Detroit and I tell my buddy who works at GM to put in a cost reduction (VEVA) to remove the useless drainplug. So he gets informed that it is accepted as a cost reduction of $1.04 per vehicle x 1.5 million trucks per year using that tranmission, so that is a significant cost save to GM for a useless plug. He gets a check for $20,000 for the idea and he cuts me a check for $500. I think it was officially deleted in model year 2004.

 

Hope everyone is not mad that I got the plug removed HA!

[Z'06]

Hope everyone is not mad that I got the plug removed HA!

 

Nah, not at all, LOL - now we can have fun reading comments by apologists defending GM's removal of the plug as a benevolent message from GM to remind us that we are supposed to replace our transmission filters.

 

I'm adding a new pan with a working drain plug to mine when I get my Transgo HD2 and other valve body upgrades installed next week (and yes, a new transmission filter will go in, too).

[jblakeney]

To answer your question a 2000 pan will fit your transmission. Strange but TRUE story, I tried to get the drainplug out of my 2002 Sierra and it would not come loose. Called the dealer and they informed me that GM loctites them in place so that the don't leak or come loose. It is basically a half drainplug anyway because it is recessed into the pan and leaves quite a bit of trans fluid in the pan. So I work in the auto industry in Detroit and I tell my buddy who works at GM to put in a cost reduction (VEVA) to remove the useless drainplug. So he gets informed that it is accepted as a cost reduction of $1.04 per vehicle x 1.5 million trucks per year using that tranmission, so that is a significant cost save to GM for a useless plug. He gets a check for $20,000 for the idea and he cuts me a check for $500. I think it was officially deleted in model year 2004.

 

Hope everyone is not mad that I got the plug removed HA!

 

 

GRRRRR, .....

 

 

Nah, not really....... 2 post lift and a transmission funnel on my oil drain drum..... I'm aight... But it nice when the pan has a plug......

 

The point in the plug to me is.... You can remove it and it allows the fluid to drain enough to remove the pan without having to splash enough fluid from the pan to remove it without causing a REALLLLLY BIG MESS..... GM has always seem to FIND SOMETHING To put in the way of dropping the pan straight down on trucks.... (exhaust pipe crossover, shifter cable, shifter cable bracket, cross member, transmission mount, etc, etc, etc,...........)

 

If you have a plug and it will come out you can manage to change the fluid in a pressed white dress shirt and Khaki paints... Without fear of a ruined shirt......

 

Both of these have the drain plug in them.

NAPA Balkamp 4L60E w/deep filtration 635-1062 --- Supplied by Dorman 265-811

NAPA Balkamp 4L80E 635-1061 --- Supplied by Dorman 265-810

 

Jbo

[Z'06]

Dorman 265-811 (currently $44.99 w/ free UPS Ground shipping)

 

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