My PPE transmission pan: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[flynn]

Quick update: I felt like I had under-filled the transmission a bit while trying to work around the hot exhaust and race against the transmission temp clock. After driving it for about 750 miles I parked the truck on a slight incline, chocked the front wheels, jacked up the rear of the truck until the tires were off the ground, and re-followed the fill procedure. Between 30°C and 50°C (86-122°F) it took another whole quart of fluid before it started trickling out the fill plug. I'll drive it a couple times this week check the level again. Damn these things not having dipsticks!

I've also attached the official procedure on transmission fluid service from ZF that I found on another website.

 

[outlaw24]

Why does it need to be so difficult to change/check your fluids.
Some vehicles don't have dipsticks for engine oil now too. You need to rely on the electronic oil level sensor to tell you if its full or low. CRAZY!

 

[HSKR R/T]

Why does it need to be so difficult to change/check your fluids.
Some vehicles don't have dipsticks for engine oil now too. You need to rely on the electronic oil level sensor to tell you if its full or low. CRAZY!

Most European cars have had oil level sensors for 20+ years. They have been proven reliable. If wager most drivers now days wouldn't check their oil or trans fluid even if there is/was a dipstick. The small percentage of owners that would, can still check level, it's just a little more involved.

 

[Aidan]

Quick update: I felt like I had under-filled the transmission a bit while trying to work around the hot exhaust and race against the transmission temp clock. After driving it for about 750 miles I parked the truck on a slight incline, chocked the front wheels, jacked up the rear of the truck until the tires were off the ground, and re-followed the fill procedure. Between 30°C and 50°C (86-122°F) it took another whole quart of fluid before it started trickling out the fill plug. I'll drive it a couple times this week check the level again. Damn these things not having dipsticks!

I've also attached the official procedure on transmission fluid service from ZF that I found on another website.

What did you use to fill it? I got a nice surprise with the exhaust but managed to do it pretty easily, as in there was enough time to jump in and out and refill. I used a small hand pump to get the fluid in though.

 

[21BigLoneSport]

My PPE review:

The pan is a definite upgrade to the OEM. It holds more, it has cooling capability (aluminum with fins) and will make future filter swaps MUCH less expensive. A filter costs $30, a drain O-ring is $6, and a gasket (from KLM) is $27.50. Fluid cost would be the same (okay, add a quart for the bigger pan): Less than $65 instead of north of $250. I'll save $200 per filter change from here on.

The bad: no gasket??? WTF. And the "re-use the old one"? No...just, no.

Get the pan. Buy a gasket from KLM. Install a NEW O-ring on your drain plug. Add an aftermarket magnet to it if you want (like I did.)

Hopefully my experiences and suggestions will save you the time, trouble, and expense, that I had to go through to learn about PPE's shortcomings.

Again, the pan should help my transmission's longevity: cooler temps and more oil.

Good luck!

Dude, excellent post. We are all better for having read this. I just ordered the bits for ‘21 5th gen 1500. Bravo

 

[1791]

funny mopar claims lifetime fluid the trans manufacturer states 75k and justin wheeler on youtube with a 2019 limited 4wd "high mileage edition" works his truck and at 250k mi he has never did a trans service and has not had a issue. that being said i will be servicing my trans

 

[silver billet]

funny mopar claims lifetime fluid the trans manufacturer states 75k and justin wheeler on youtube with a 2019 limited 4wd "high mileage edition" works his truck and at 250k mi he has never did a trans service and has not had a issue. that being said i will be servicing my trans

He has been suspiciously absent with recent updates though. Not a good sign.