I Installed the (6L90E) PML transmission pan - report

[mrjulian416]

Bottom line, it was easy and I'm glad I did it.

 

For a bit of background... I have a '21 SLT 2500 gas.  I had previously installed the transmission dipstick/tube because... it should have a damn transmission dipstick!  Since I tow more with this truck than my last one, I also wanted to make fluid changes easy, so I wanted a pan with a drain plug..

 

I went with the PML standard capacity pan.  It not only provides a magnetic drain plug, but it also retains the fill-level port of the stock pan, making refills fairly fool-proof. 

There's a ton of videos out there showing the clearance issues with the 6L80 pan and the exhaust cross over on half-tons and Yukon/Suburbans.  Looks like a nightmare to fully remove the pan just to do a filter change on those.  I can report on the '21 HDs there is plenty of room to remove the old pan and install the cast aluminum version.

 

I put the truck on ramps, and vacuumed out as much fluid as I could get with my extractor... about 4 qts.  Unbolting the pan resulted in no additional fluid spilling out all over the place.  There was still 1-2 qts in the bottom of the pan.  At 45k miles, there was an expected amount of fine metal particles on the magnet, nothing out of the ordinary.  Fluid was somewhat darkened but not burnt.

 

I cleaned and reused the gasket, bolted the new pan on, torqued it down.  Easy access to all bolts with a 1/4" torque wrench and allen socket.  The PML pan comes with new, longer allen head screws to accommodate the much thicker flange.

 

Poured 5 qts of Delco dex VI in via the transmission dipstick tube... which should have been there from the factory.  Backed it off the ramps and drove around the block to get the temp up to ~110F.  While idling I removed the check plug and poured in another half quart... no leakage.  Added the rest of the 6th qt and saw it running out.  When it slowed to a drip, put the check plug and called it done.

 

It's not the cheapest mod there is, but it's a high quality part, easy install, and easy future maintenance made it worth it for me.

[Another JR]

On 1/28/2025 at 7:30 AM, mrjulian416 said:

Bottom line, it was easy and I'm glad I did it.

 

For a bit of background... I have a '21 SLT 2500 gas.  I had previously installed the transmission dipstick/tube because... it should have a damn transmission dipstick!  Since I tow more with this truck than my last one, I also wanted to make fluid changes easy, so I wanted a pan with a drain plug..

 

I went with the PML standard capacity pan.  It not only provides a magnetic drain plug, but it also retains the fill-level port of the stock pan, making refills fairly fool-proof. 

There's a ton of videos out there showing the clearance issues with the 6L80 pan and the exhaust cross over on half-tons and Yukon/Suburbans.  Looks like a nightmare to fully remove the pan just to do a filter change on those.  I can report on the '21 HDs there is plenty of room to remove the old pan and install the cast aluminum version.

 

I put the truck on ramps, and vacuumed out as much fluid as I could get with my extractor... about 4 qts.  Unbolting the pan resulted in no additional fluid spilling out all over the place.  There was still 1-2 qts in the bottom of the pan.  At 45k miles, there was an expected amount of fine metal particles on the magnet, nothing out of the ordinary.  Fluid was somewhat darkened but not burnt.

 

I cleaned and reused the gasket, bolted the new pan on, torqued it down.  Easy access to all bolts with a 1/4" torque wrench and allen socket.  The PML pan comes with new, longer allen head screws to accommodate the much thicker flange.

 

Poured 5 qts of Delco dex VI in via the transmission dipstick tube... which should have been there from the factory.  Backed it off the ramps and drove around the block to get the temp up to ~110F.  While idling I removed the check plug and poured in another half quart... no leakage.  Added the rest of the 6th qt and saw it running out.  When it slowed to a drip, put the check plug and called it done.

 

It's not the cheapest mod there is, but it's a high quality part, easy install, and easy future maintenance made it worth it for me.

Thanks for the report. I have a 2021 gas 3500 and have been considering this. One question I haven’t been able to get a clear answer about is the impact resistance of the aluminum pan if you hit a rock. Steel would dent, but will the aluminum one fracture and leak the fluid out?  Did you look at this question?  Thanks. 

[mrjulian416]

The PML pan is about 1/2" thick.  I don't think a rock strike is a big concern. Bottoming out on boulder would be a problem, however, for any oil pan whether stamped steel or cast aluminum.

 

I did not choose the high-capacity version because seeing that thing hang down just didn't seem like a good idea if there's any chance of going off road.

[Pryme]

On 2/3/2025 at 8:22 AM, mrjulian416 said:

The PML pan is about 1/2" thick.  I don't think a rock strike is a big concern. Bottoming out on boulder would be a problem, however, for any oil pan whether stamped steel or cast aluminum.

 

I did not choose the high-capacity version because seeing that thing hang down just didn't seem like a good idea if there's any chance of going off road.

Was there a filter in the pan or a strainer or anything?

 

so just extracting the fluid will leave a quart or so in the pan? I suppose a guy could just do it a little more often with just the extractor and not take the pan off and call it good? 

[mrjulian416]

There is the typical transmission filter which is not part of the pan.  Not sure what you mean by a filter or strainer other than that.

 

Both the stock and extra capacity PML pans work with the OEM (or equivalent) filter.  I changed the filter while I had the pan off.  Went with the Delco OEM.

 

You could certainly use an extractor to do a fluid change.  But I would suggest dropping the pan at least once in the first ~50k to change the filter.  With the wear metals in there from the break-in, I feel a new filter is worth the effort.  While running, the magnet doesn't catch everything so the filter is doing its job.  Best to get a clean filter in there once most of the initial wear in is done.  IMHO

[Pryme]

28 minutes ago, mrjulian416 said:

There is the typical transmission filter which is not part of the pan.  Not sure what you mean by a filter or strainer other than that.

 

Both the stock and extra capacity PML pans work with the OEM (or equivalent) filter.  I changed the filter while I had the pan off.  Went with the Delco OEM.

 

You could certainly use an extractor to do a fluid change.  But I would suggest dropping the pan at least once in the first ~50k to change the filter.  With the wear metals in there from the break-in, I feel a new filter is worth the effort.  While running, the magnet doesn't catch everything so the filter is doing its job.  Best to get a clean filter in there once most of the initial wear in is done.  IMHO

I just meant some transmissions don’t have a replaceable filter. Yeah I will drop it to replace the filter eventually but it’s gonna be awhile because I’m only at 14,800mi currently. 
 

that pan you bought looks nice. 375 is spendy, wish it was less. 

Edited February 18 by Pryme