Blacklane
Full Member
There are several deep transmission pans available for the 4L60e transmission on the 1500 Avalanche (such as the Mag-hytec and B&M pans), but they involve extensive modification of the exhaust pipe, which crosses under the back of the transmission. PML http://www.yourcovers.com makes a deep pan that is cast aluminum, has a drain plug, and holds an extra 2 quarts of transmission fluid. Plus it fits the Avalanche. They achieve this putting stand-off posts in the pan that keeps the stock filter up close to the valve body. The new pan slides over the exhaust pipe in the same way that the stock deep (stepped) pan does. The pan is simply deeper under the filter.
You have to switch the filter to the older (1993-199
AC Delco Filter TF 289 (or equivalent) which has a metal bottom and has the pick-up on the bottom. The current 4L60e deep (stepped) pan filter (since 199 is the all-plastic AC Delco TF 337 (or equivalent). You can't use that one. I used a Wix 58904. You use the new gasket that comes with the filter.
I had a little trouble getting the old pan off and the new pan in, so I had to remove the skid plate, remove the engine mount bolts, and jack up the back of the transmission some to allow the pan to clear the exhaust pipe. Then I was able to get the new pan in.
PML provides new hex cap screws to accommodate the thicker cast aluminum. These require 6mm hex key, and I would recommend getting a really long one to reach the screws. Two screws are obstructed by the exhaust pipe and really need a ball-tip hex key.
It turns out that the OEM pan screws are the same size as those stupid T-40 Torx screws in the shift bracket, so I took two of the leftover pan screws and put them in the shift bracket. Now, the next time I can use a socket wrench on the shift bracket.
I drained out almost exactly 4 quarts of transmission fluid. With the new pan installed, I refilled the transmission with 6 quarts of transmission fluid, and the level on the dipstick is perfect.
The entire job took me about 3.5 hours.
The PML pan comes with a magnetic drain plug. When I was cleaning up, I realized that I probably could have also re-used the stock magnet by sticking it to the steel bottom of the new filter.
Of course, if you just want a stock pan with a drain plug, Dorman makes one (265-811).
This deep pan from PML (Model 9427) fits Avalanches from 2002 and up with the 4L60e transmission. http://www.yourcovers.com/transpan_9427.php
You have to switch the filter to the older (1993-199
AC Delco Filter TF 289 (or equivalent) which has a metal bottom and has the pick-up on the bottom. The current 4L60e deep (stepped) pan filter (since 199 is the all-plastic AC Delco TF 337 (or equivalent). You can't use that one. I used a Wix 58904. You use the new gasket that comes with the filter.I had a little trouble getting the old pan off and the new pan in, so I had to remove the skid plate, remove the engine mount bolts, and jack up the back of the transmission some to allow the pan to clear the exhaust pipe. Then I was able to get the new pan in.
PML provides new hex cap screws to accommodate the thicker cast aluminum. These require 6mm hex key, and I would recommend getting a really long one to reach the screws. Two screws are obstructed by the exhaust pipe and really need a ball-tip hex key.
It turns out that the OEM pan screws are the same size as those stupid T-40 Torx screws in the shift bracket, so I took two of the leftover pan screws and put them in the shift bracket. Now, the next time I can use a socket wrench on the shift bracket.
I drained out almost exactly 4 quarts of transmission fluid. With the new pan installed, I refilled the transmission with 6 quarts of transmission fluid, and the level on the dipstick is perfect.
The entire job took me about 3.5 hours.
The PML pan comes with a magnetic drain plug. When I was cleaning up, I realized that I probably could have also re-used the stock magnet by sticking it to the steel bottom of the new filter.
Of course, if you just want a stock pan with a drain plug, Dorman makes one (265-811).
This deep pan from PML (Model 9427) fits Avalanches from 2002 and up with the 4L60e transmission. http://www.yourcovers.com/transpan_9427.php
