Upcoming ZF fluid/filter change, couple DIYer questions

[Kraken]

Eh if that was a feasible concern I'd feel that there'd be a hell of a lot of other plastic parts are vehicles failing. I mean there's a metric ton of different chemical compositions for plastics and acrylics anymore. Plastic doesn't expand and contract with temp like metals do.

 

[Kraken]

LOL Found that green sheet on another thread. Good info!

 

[EdGs]

LOL Found that green sheet on another thread. Good info!

You will find that green sheet on many threads throughout this forum, and it's absolutely worth every post.

 

[truck2014]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to go with the Dorman pan, stumbled onto some folks saying the Autotecnica once installed interfered with shifting into (or out of) park. At least with the Dorman I've got the replaceable filter, and while the PPE is nice having to buy a gasket from somewhere is ridiculous.

This may be comparing apples , and oranges . I recently changed the fluid , and filters on my 2014 68rfe transmission . The second change on it . The original gasket was the rtv , went with rtv the first fluid change . This time I went with a reusable Mopar gasket . To the point here , the oe pan has no drain plug , makes for an interesting time changing the fluid , and filters to say the least . Anyway had a couple choices here , one remembering the hassle getting off all the rtv on the oe pan the first time , and the fact that it had no drain plug . I could clean the pan up , buy a B&M drain plug , driill the pan ,and install the plug . Or for about $40 more just buy the Dorman pan . I went with the Dorman with a drain plug in it . Perfect fit , the Mopar gasket holes lined up perfectly. Been on now for a few miles , and up to temperature, no leaks . In hindsight I should have went with the Dorman first time around along with the Mopar reusable gasket . Live , and learn .

 

[Wild one]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to go with the Dorman pan, stumbled onto some folks saying the Autotecnica once installed interfered with shifting into (or out of) park. At least with the Dorman I've got the replaceable filter, and while the PPE is nice having to buy a gasket from somewhere is ridiculous.

See what you learn when you actually read a thread. Buying a gasket is easy,stop by your local dealer,they'll have them in stock.Alot of guys get away with re-using the OEM gasket on their PPE pan,i usually go 2 transmission services before changing the gasket.I blew up one 8 speed,now i service the transmission every season,easier to bite off a tranny service once a year,then buy another new 8 speed every 2nd year,lol
My little 4X4 gives hellcats fits at the local track,so it's poor little 8HP70 gets alot of $h!t and abuse on a weekly basis

 

[star_deceiver]

Why are you guys paying so much, in US funds, for that pan??? A pan that fits an 8hp70 is identical to one for the 845RE.

 

[mdc1990zr1]

Eh if that was a feasible concern I'd feel that there'd be a hell of a lot of other plastic parts are vehicles failing. I mean there's a metric ton of different chemical compositions for plastics and acrylics anymore. Plastic doesn't expand and contract with temp like metals do.

It’s just a thought. Look at the plastic thermostat housing on the hurricane motors. They’re made of plastic and after so many heat cycles, they’re separating at the seams. I’m sure Dorman isn’t making the pans out of a premium thermostatic plastic. I don’t know if I would chance a second fluid change interval on a plastic pan. Just sayin

 

[Kraken]

Do the actual Mopar zf 8-speed pans have a drain plug or not? I've seen quite a lot of comments about how 'the new pan has a drain plug'. But when I look at OEM pan pics they have drains.

 

[EdGs]

My '15 does.

 

[Jas34]

They have a drain. You just can't get to it with the exhaust in the way. You don't need a drain on a tranny pan anyway, just a big transmission pan drain and a little method to your madness. We lived fine without them for years, though I have seen some guys wearing more transmission fluid than they were planning on.

 

[Kraken]

Ok thanks.. and @Jas34 after dropping transmission pans for 4 decades I think it's just stupid OEM's didn't have them this whole time. You shouldn't need a tyvex suit to perform routine vehicular maintenance.

 

[joesstripclub]

They have a drain. You just can't get to it with the exhaust in the way. You don't need a drain on a tranny pan anyway, just a big transmission pan drain and a little method to your madness. We lived fine without them for years, though I have seen some guys wearing more transmission fluid than they were planning on.

I thought the drain was super useful when I changed mine. I hate the surge of fluid going everywhere when you have to drop a pan thats full.

 

[joesstripclub]

Why are you guys paying so much, in US funds, for that pan??? A pan that fits an 8hp70 is identical to one for the 845RE.

View attachment 562390

This is how I bought my first pan for my old 1500. I bought an aftermarket one though and had a leak so decided to buy an OEM gasket and found out the gasket alignment pin is in a different location. Otherwise it was identical.

 

[joesstripclub]

I appreciate all the input. I'm going to go with the Dorman pan, stumbled onto some folks saying the Autotecnica once installed interfered with shifting into (or out of) park. At least with the Dorman I've got the replaceable filter, and while the PPE is nice having to buy a gasket from somewhere is ridiculous.

If you have any issues with the Dorman I grabbed this pan off ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/355824372235. I haven't installed it yet, but it looks to be OEM from what I can tell.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Doorman = Hot garbage.

Not sure why anyone would risk that on a trans this expensive. Or any cheap pan for that matter.

PPE baby

 

[EdGs]

I bought the OE pan on my first go, but given the almost doubling in price over the last 4 years, PPE pan is looking better and better. I'd prefer the shallower pan over the deep one, just sucks that its a bit more.

But, still not terrible when considering the price of the OE pan.

As far as the OE drain plug, I just cut down the short side of a 10mm hex key. A three-inch section of the exhaust crossover directly below the drain plug got wet with fluid, but a little brakleen on a rag took care of that in about 10 seconds.

With the PPE pans, the drain is a non-issue.

 

[Jas34]

It does look to me like they put the drain on the ppe pan in a more useful location. I also went with an OEM pan on mine but I'll probably reconsider next time around and get the ppe one.

 

[Gettintired]

You are not wrong at all.. but you think plastic is tougher against those road hazards than aluminum?

Some of ya'll are assuming a persons trying to be cheap on this topic when that's the case. It's not a cheap versus Mr. Moneybags thing, this is being fiscally responsible. Especially our Orange oligarch is gonna start a trade war.

Get off this site it's not a political forum

 

[Forsakentalon]

I got the dorman. No problems, no leaks. Bought it local in case something went wrong.

I considered long and hard the cheaper aluminum pans. I mean hey, aluminum is stronger than plastic right? Then found several reviews that they had micro cracks from the casting process that caused them to leak. PPE is probably great though.

 

[truck2014]

Doorman = Hot garbage.

Not sure why anyone would risk that on a trans this expensive. Or any cheap pan for that matter.

PPE baby

Opinions vary. IMO the hot garbage is the OE pan on my 2014, no drain plug ,no gasket ,just RTV . I didn't mic. the thickness , but from the weight the Dorman is every bit as heavy if not heavier metal . Holes lined up perfectly , with the " MOPAR " gasket , not one hole out of 15 being even a fraction of being off . There can be only one concern , and thats the outside coating not holding up , and start to rust .

So whatever concerns you are spewing , is beyond me . Dorman = Hot garbage doesn't say much other than your opinion . Proof is the pudding . Talked to ,and seen several that have went with the Dorman transmission pan on the 68rfe without issue . Me included . If I see an issue with rusting , which IMO is the only concern I would have ,I'll put the OE pan back on . NO big deal . Two things I don't like about the OE pan the flat contact surface ,and the use of RTV . Everything I can see with the Dorman , it's a better pan , and has the drain plug .