So I just bit the transmission pan bullet and bought this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-14210/
and this
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DER-14010/
along with a new filter and temp guage.

The trans is shifting perfectly and has not given me any hint of problems. I have looked through the FAQ's under transmissions as well. Are there any other basics I should change or do while I am elbow deep in trans fluid?

 

Do all of your solenoids/switchs while your down there.

 

Do you recommend that even if everything is functioning properly?

 

The deep pan doesn't come with the extension???? How odd.

How many miles on your truck? If you have over 100K, might want to at least do the governor pressure sensor, and solenoid. Adjust the bands while you are in there?

 

Not sure why you would need the extension. I don't have it with my deep pan. If you fill the fluid up correctly, and add the extra amount that the pan holds, the filter is going to be the same as with the stock pan.

 

those "cooling tubes" are gonna get plugged with mud or road debris not my first choice,

 

I thought about that but I'm not planning on doing any off-roading just towing and I figure I can check it when I do my oil changes.

I agree. My thought was (which may very well be a stupid one and I just wasted $42.00) is if the tubes are actually cooling the fluid it would better if the pick up is closer to the cooler fluid.

No extension included I realize it is a steel pan but the most this truck will see a year now is 5K miles, if that. It's not my primary mode of transportation, just the wokhorse of the family which is why I couldn't justify buying a more expensive Mag-Tac or TCI deep pan.

The truck has 111k miles on it and I took your advice and got the solenoid and the governor pressure sensor. I see that there is a gasket on the block where the solenoid and sensor attach. Does this have to be replaced if it comes out easily and the gasket does not tear? If so, does anyone know where to get one?

 

You should be able to get one at the dealer, or the parts store. If it doesn't fall apart on removal, re-using it shouldn't be a problem, but, for as little as it probably costs, and how much fluid costs..... have it BE a problem anyway, and having to go back in there...... Ya Know?

 

Look through MonteC's posts. He has a link to the Govenor sensor that uses a GM sensor and is superior.

Clean them out then.

 

I installed the extension because it'll help to keep the pump from sucking air when the truck is at (relatively) extreme angles. I'm not a hard core off-roader (any more), but when I have a reason to go to some remote destination I want some assurance that I can get there and back. With a proper fill level I'd have to turn the truck upside-down to expose the filter to air.

Something else I like about the extension is that it buys me some time in the event of an ATF leak. I can lose at least two quarts of ATF, which I'm pretty sure I'll notice in the time it takes to pump it out, and still be perfectly safe. If you're down two quarts without the deep pan and extension it's game over.

I heard an episode of Car Talk several years ago in which a female caller's problem was that her automatic transmission slipped when turning corners. After going on for quite a while throwing out all kinds of implausible scenarios as Click and Clack do, they finally hit on low fluid level as the culprit. With the filter extended deeply into the oil you've got to lose so much ATF in order to lose line pressure that it's going to be obvious by the smell alone if not also by smoke or puddles.

There's no appreciable stratification going on in the pan while the truck is in operation because the fluid is swirling, much like when you fill a bucket with a garden hose. But those other reasons I mentioned above make $42 cheap insurance. I say go for it.