Transmission pan

Chris · January 27, 2012

How do I know if I have a shallow or deep pan. Autozone asked me when I went to get a filter. Also what's a good fluid to use. And conventional or synthetic. truck has about 115k and I've owned it since 46k and haven't changed my fluid or filter. According to the GM certified used inspection when I bought it. They Did that

Gurrzt · January 27, 2012

GM full size trucks SHOULD have the deeper pan, and on an 04 model you should use Dexron III.

To be safe, just purchase both kits, and return the one you did not need. See if one of the kits comes with an "extension tube", if it does that is the one to purchase.

I have a 3 qt deeper pan in my 01 Z28 (Sara), and the kit came with an "extension tube", deep pan use tube, shallow pan do not use tube. It was the same filter for both.

The "deep" pan that GM uses is only 2 qt over the shallow pan.

What ever you do, DO NOT BACK FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION.

JMHO

txab · January 27, 2012

Deep pan. Shallow is flat.

Use this procedure to change out all the fluid. Will be easy since you just added your trans cooler. Also use synthetic fluid. Drop the Dex III. With what you;ll be towing, the synthetic will be the best.

http://www.gmfullsiz...ad.php?t=179148

AirForceAngler · January 27, 2012

Get them both and return the one you don't use. That's what I've always had to do when changing fluid for the first time. The only difference is the length of the filter neck and you can compare them when you get the old one out. At least you'll have either one there with you while doing the job and won't have to find a way to run back to the parts store to get the right one.

nickvrebel · January 27, 2012

Just because it's a truck does not guarantee it has a deep pan.

shallow pan will be flat on the bottom, deep pan will have the hump as pictured in posts above.

also, as stated in posts above, some brands of filters you can just get the deep pan kit and if you have the shallow pan you throw out the deep pan adapter, so it works for either, but you will need to open the box first to look and be sure.

Gurrzt · January 27, 2012

Also use synthetic fluid. Drop the Dex III. With what you;ll be towing, the synthetic will be the best. http://www.gmfullsiz...ad.php?t=179148

Sir, I very respectfully disagree. In 2004, I believe these trucks were using the 4L60E transmission, in which GM did not recommend the use of synthetic fluid. I believe the use of synthetic fluid in this particular transmission caused alot of slipage (sp) between shifts.

JMHO

txab · January 27, 2012

You need to do more research. No problems running synthetics. We've got 20 or so trucks (back to 2002) running Amsoil and they average over 190k miles on each unit so far. No problems. Since Dexron III is no longer supported by GM and the fact that they recommend Dexron VI for all applications where Dex III was used

Chris · January 27, 2012

What is meant by don't back flush?

And what brands of ATF are synthetic. Is dexron 4 synthetic

jdubub · January 27, 2012

I would order tranny fluid from AMSOIL

dewfpo · January 27, 2012

What is meant by don't back flush?

And what brands of ATF are synthetic. Is dexron 4 synthetic

I've never heard of a "back" flush in regards to automatic transmissions. I believe what the poster is trying to say is don't have the trans. "power flushed" with a detergent. If they use a machine, make sure it just changes the fluid atf for atf (volume for volume) and uses no cleaners in it. You can flush it yourself at home with no equipment, or just drain the pan and replace.

There is no such thing as Dexron 4. There was a Dexron 3 (III) which came in your 2004 transmission and is now superceded by a Dexron Vi (6).

There are many synthetic atf's, they will say right on the front of the bottle if it is synthetic. Mobil1, Amsoil, etc...

DEWFPO