VegasRob55
Active Member
I installed the PPE transmission Pan on my 19’ 1500 today. Ordered a new gasket to be safe and reused the factory bolts. Everything installed well. My Laramie with 68,000 miles took 7.5qts of Valvoline Extended Protection Full Synthetic ATF. I can’t believe how buttery smooth the transmission feels again. I feel like I got all my torque back. Crazy… I didn’t expect it to feel any different, as it always felt good and smooth. The guy who did it said my fluid smelled as bit burnt. I tow a 6,000 lb. trailer (dry weight) on camping trips, and with my wife & 4 kids with all our gear, we are right around 7500 lbs. When daily driving, I drive pretty hard/fast. Also, the truck is lifted a couple inches on heavier 35” tires. I live in Vegas, and usually cruise around at 80-85 mph on the freeway when commuting. My transmission normally ran between 185F-189F when fully warm with no load. It is now running steadily between 174F-176F. I wasn't expecting such a decline in operating temps with the aluminum pan, but here we are. I hope to have the same cooling results when towing my trailer and loaded with all our camping gear. We'll see how that goes in a few weeks. Been a few hundred miles of spirited daily driving now, and so far, no leaks or issues to report. Great purchase overall.
*******Edit after 1 month and 800 miles of driving******* My truck began to shift very clunky and was revving too long and high before hitting its next gear. I assumed the level was low and needed to be topped off. My mechanic got it within the temp range and verified that the level was full. MY issues continued to worsen and worry me with the transmission surging when in reverse out of my long driveway. I decided that the truck just did not like the Valvoline EP ATF. I just did a full exchange of all the fluid and used 15 liters of ZF Lifeguard 8 to do it. Wish I would have just stuck to the manufacturer recommended oil in the first place. Tranny is back to it buttery smooth self and does not surge or clunk in the slightest. Anyone wanting to use a cheaper multi-vehicle ATF in their 8HP tranny, please do not waste your time or money like I did. Lesson learned. The PPE pan is still doing great and keeps the transmission fluid much cooler than the plastic pan ever did.
*******Edit after 1 month and 800 miles of driving******* My truck began to shift very clunky and was revving too long and high before hitting its next gear. I assumed the level was low and needed to be topped off. My mechanic got it within the temp range and verified that the level was full. MY issues continued to worsen and worry me with the transmission surging when in reverse out of my long driveway. I decided that the truck just did not like the Valvoline EP ATF. I just did a full exchange of all the fluid and used 15 liters of ZF Lifeguard 8 to do it. Wish I would have just stuck to the manufacturer recommended oil in the first place. Tranny is back to it buttery smooth self and does not surge or clunk in the slightest. Anyone wanting to use a cheaper multi-vehicle ATF in their 8HP tranny, please do not waste your time or money like I did. Lesson learned. The PPE pan is still doing great and keeps the transmission fluid much cooler than the plastic pan ever did.
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