Trans pan w/drain by Dorman

[toymaster]

I was looking for a pan with a drain, as I'm a believer in fluid refresh every 30K or so. There is a lot of high dollar cast aluminum pans out there, all ~$300-$400, found a OEM style pan with a drain for $50, link below. For those that may not know Dorman is an OEM supplier, they made the factory pan.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15219049&cc=3451075&pt=8546&jsn=9820

I'm going this route as I see no reason for extra protection, fluid capacity, nor heat sink. With the factory location and skids the trans is tucked up in there and my bronco does not see any type of severe duty. For 50 bucks ain't much to loose.

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[ChrisB351]

Dorman is garbage

 

[toymaster]

Dorman is garbage

You just said OEM is garbage.

 

[ChrisB351]

You just said OEM is garbage.

Never seen an OEM part from dorman. Ive been in automotive service and parts for 7yrs now. I do this daily.

 

[toymaster]

Never seen an OEM part from dorman. Ive been in automotive service and parts for 7yrs now. I do this daily.

That is because they have OEM packaging. Ford/Chevy/ect. do not make 100% of the parts they use, no where near.

 

[ChrisB351]

That is because they have OEM packaging. Ford/Chevy/ect. do not make 100% of the parts they use, no where near.

Yes Im 100% aware of that. Im just saying Ive never seen dorman anywhere other than the cheap section of your local parts store. Definitely an OEM manufacturer.

 

[B22-2023]

I was looking for a pan with a drain, as I'm a believer in fluid refresh every 30K or so. There is a lot of high dollar cast aluminum pans out there, all ~$300-$400, found a OEM style pan with a drain for $50, link below. For those that may not know Dorman is an OEM supplier, they made the factory pan.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15219049&cc=3451075&pt=8546&jsn=9820

I'm going this route as I see no reason for extra protection, fluid capacity, nor heat sink. With the factory location and skids the trans is tucked up in there and my bronco does not see any type of severe duty. For 50 bucks ain't much to loose.

This beats the OEM plastic! I installed PPE pan the day after delivery, but regardless my new issue is how cheap the aluminum fill cap is, have you seen that? I checked my dipstick recently just for the heck of it and the head is already chewed up. Largely because it’s so hard to get a box wrench on and turn.

I hope Dorman or someone come out with a decent replacement.

 

[wjtinfwb]

I was looking for a pan with a drain, as I'm a believer in fluid refresh every 30K or so. There is a lot of high dollar cast aluminum pans out there, all ~$300-$400, found a OEM style pan with a drain for $50, link below. For those that may not know Dorman is an OEM supplier, they made the factory pan.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15219049&cc=3451075&pt=8546&jsn=9820

I'm going this route as I see no reason for extra protection, fluid capacity, nor heat sink. With the factory location and skids the trans is tucked up in there and my bronco does not see any type of severe duty. For 50 bucks ain't much to loose.

Buy it from a place that will allow you to return it after you’ve inspected it closely. Dorman may make some OEM parts, but my experience with them is the quality varies wildly depending on the part and where it gets manufactured. How much is a new OEM pan from one of the Ford parts houses that discounts parts? If it’s under $100 bucks, maybe it is made by Dorman and stuffed in a Ford box. If it’s closer to the $300 aftermarket, I think you know the Dorman part is likely inferior. Perhaps keep an eye out for someone selling their OEM pan after upgrading, taking it to a machine shop and getting it drilled and tapped for a drain bolt?

 

[TRACKTOY]

hi
For me it's MISHIMOTO ALU PAN = MORE OIL+ PLUG+O RING GASKET+ RIB FOR MORE COOLING.
TRACKTOY

 

[dgorsett]

The narrative in the rockauto link says steel, but the chart says plastic and it looks plastic...

 

[toymaster]

The narrative in the rockauto link says steel, but the chart says plastic and it looks plastic...

100% sure it is identical to the OEM but w/drain plug. They use generic descriptions on rock auto. My order is being shipped now, when it shows up I'll post a pic and opinion on drain design.

 

[Fmuguira]

Pls do post. Most interested in “if it’s metal” or still plastic w/ drain…

lastly if metal how flat/solid is mounting flange. ie: no leaks!!

As you stated if it’s metal and $60 range can’t beat that!!!
Thx

 

[CarbonSteel]

The narrative in the rockauto link says steel, but the chart says plastic and it looks plastic...

You can 100% bet that it is plastic. No steel pan would be 7MM thick.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/p--265-897.aspx

 

[Jimmiee]

The picture looks plastic. They make a drain plug kit which works fairly good on metal pans, but I don't know about using one on plastic pans.
As a side note, after replacing the filter with the new pan, drain your ATF every 30K. If the fluid looks good a pan drop is all that's necessary. The filter doesn't need to be changed every 30K. I would change the filter at 90K unless the transmission has been overheated. Remember running in low range in the sand for example can overheat the fluid. If the fluid looks bad it's a good idea to do a fluid exchange. The transmission holds 13 quarts BUT remember you only lose about half the original fluid during a fluid exchange so you may need 20 quarts or so to get the ATF back to normal.

 

[CarbonSteel]

The picture looks plastic. They make a drain plug kit which works fairly good on metal pans, but I don't know about using one on plastic pans.
As a side note, after replacing the filter with the new pan, drain your ATF every 30K. If the fluid looks good a pan drop is all that's necessary. The filter doesn't need to be changed every 30K. I would change the filter at 90K unless the transmission has been overheated. Remember running in low range in the sand for example can overheat the fluid. If the fluid looks bad it's a good idea to do a fluid exchange. The transmission holds 13 quarts BUT remember you only lose about half the original fluid during a fluid exchange so you may need 20 quarts or so to get the ATF back to normal.

Without a drain plug a pan drop is needed for a fluid change or a filter change. I watched a tech change the fluid/filter on a 10R60 in a 2.7L and it is both a PITA and a very messy task. I would opine that you will smell burning fluid for a WHILE after the change as it splashes everywhere no matter how careful you are.

For me, it would make sense to go to an aluminum pan and change the filter at the same time. Then to your point, changing the fluid is a piece of cake from that point forward (aside from the burnt skin that you may acquire courtesy of the exhaust pipe near the dipstick).

To your point about how much fluid is needed to have all "new" fluid, provided you dump about 6.1 QTs per change (which is what the Ford tech told me) it will take about 24 QTs to go below 10% old fluid:

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