ZF Transmission pan

[BenchTest]

Hello All,
Anybody know if there is a current production Mopar trans pan that has a drain plug? I went back and forth with several sources during my last fluid change trying to find a pan that was drain plug equipped. I had heard that Mopar discontinued the drain plug, but was told the one I was ordering did have it. It did not. It is Mopar, just no drain plug. Since that time, I've seen various places say that the drain plug is back "by popular demand", but have nothing else to go by other than internet chatter. So, is there a current production Mopar pan with drain plug? Part number if it exists? Thanks.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Hello All,
Anybody know if there is a current production Mopar trans pan that has a drain plug? I went back and forth with several sources during my last fluid change trying to find a pan that was drain plug equipped. I had heard that Mopar discontinued the drain plug, but was told the one I was ordering did have it. It did not. It is Mopar, just no drain plug. Since that time, I've seen various places say that the drain plug is back "by popular demand", but have nothing else to go by other than internet chatter. So, is there a current production Mopar pan with drain plug? Part number if it exists? Thanks.

The PPE pans have a drain plug, and allow for about 2 more quarts of oil to be in there as well.

However, one should still be changing out the filter at every OCI in my opinion.

Unless of course you are draining and refilling at low intervals to ensure you cycle out all the old oil, including the TQ converter.

Regardless, a filter change is important to be done, too, at some point in the OCI schedule!

I'd also recommend the @caulk04 transmission bypass cooler valve upgrade to keep those trans temps lower and keep your trans happier!

 

[BenchTest]

The PPE pans have a drain plug, and allow for about 2 more quarts of oil to be in there as well.

However, one should still be changing out the filter at every OCI in my opinion.

Unless of course you are draining and refilling at low intervals to ensure you cycle out all the old oil, including the TQ converter.

Regardless, a filter change is important to be done, too, at some point in the OCI schedule!

I'd also recommend the @caulk04 transmission bypass cooler valve upgrade to keep those trans temps lower and keep your trans happier!

Thanks for the reply. I'd like to stay with the Mopar production, provided a drain plug equipped option exists.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Thanks for the reply. I'd like to stay with the Mopar production, provided a drain plug equipped option exists.

If you want a drain plug type of transmission pan: PPE is the one!
The OEM MOPAR one is a consumable and thus tossed every time it's opened up.

 

[Jas34]

I got mine from KLM Performance and it had the drain. It's pretty useless as I couldn't get an allen on it with the exhaust in the way so just changed it like any other tranny pan I've ever done, carefully with a wide transmission drain funnel pan underneath.

Mopar 68225344AA Transmission Pan & Filter Kit for ZF 8-speed

Mopar 68225344AA ZF 8 Speed 845RE, 870RE, ZF 8HP45, 8HP70, 8HP90 Pan and Filter Assembly ensures a long service life of your ZF transmission.

klmperformance.com

 

[JHoward]

Thanks for the reply. I'd like to stay with the Mopar production, provided a drain plug equipped option exists.

How long do you plan on keeping your truck?

The PPE pan that CR1313 is referring is the way to go, imo. It eliminates having to buy the OEM plastic pan and filter kit.

It is made of heavy duty aluminum with an replacement filter and has a metal drain/fill plug for a much easier tranny oil filter change and fill.

I purchased the PPE pan, but haven't installed it yet, but it's on my list to install, real soon.

 

[JHoward]

I got mine from KLM Performance and it had the drain. It's pretty useless as I couldn't get an allen on it with the exhaust in the way so just changed it like any other tranny pan I've ever done, carefully with a wide transmission drain funnel pan underneath.

Mopar 68225344AA Transmission Pan & Filter Kit for ZF 8-speed

Mopar 68225344AA ZF 8 Speed 845RE, 870RE, ZF 8HP45, 8HP70, 8HP90 Pan and Filter Assembly ensures a long service life of your ZF transmission.

klmperformance.com

For $284.98, why not spend the same amount for the PPE pan and for $50.00 more for the deeper PPE, holds two extra quarts and both are aluminum, not plastic?

The replacement filter for the PPE pan is $30.00 ...

 

[Jas34]

For $284.98, why not spend the same amount for the PPE pan and for $50.00 more for the deeper PPE, holds two extra quarts and both are aluminum, not plastic?

The replacement filter for the PPE pan is $30.00 ...

Probably cause it was $269 when I bought mine a few months ago. It might have made more sense long term, but I decided to stick with the OEM stuff.

 

[BenchTest]

I got mine from KLM Performance and it had the drain. It's pretty useless as I couldn't get an allen on it with the exhaust in the way so just changed it like any other tranny pan I've ever done, carefully with a wide transmission drain funnel pan underneath.

Mopar 68225344AA Transmission Pan & Filter Kit for ZF 8-speed

Mopar 68225344AA ZF 8 Speed 845RE, 870RE, ZF 8HP45, 8HP70, 8HP90 Pan and Filter Assembly ensures a long service life of your ZF transmission.

klmperformance.com

Looking at that link and that part number, it appears that is the part number that still has a drain. 52854834AB seems to be what most dealers are stocking, but that # does NOT have a drain plug. Thanks for the info. I running a 3.6 Pentastar, so no crossover exhaust pipe issues. The drain works well for me.

 

[BenchTest]

How long do you plan on keeping your truck?

The PPE pan that CR1313 is referring is the way to go, imo. It eliminates having to buy the OEM plastic pan and filter kit.

It is made of heavy duty aluminum with an replacement filter and has a metal drain/fill plug for a much easier tranny oil filter change and fill.

I purchased the PPE pan, but haven't installed it yet, but it's on my list to install, real soon.

For this particular part I prefer to use OEM, hence the reason I'm searching out a particular part number.

 

[Wild one]

For this particular part I prefer to use OEM, hence the reason I'm searching out a particular part number.

I sure question that idea.The PPE pan is twice the quality of the flimsy composite plastic pan,throw in the fact it uses a replacable filter,so you only have to buy it once.I've been running the PPE pan for going on 7 years now,and when the wifes Challenger is due for a transmission service,it'll also be getting the same pan. Not a chance in hell would i buy the plastic pan again

 

[BenchTest]

I sure question that idea.The PPE pan is twice the quality of the flimsy composite plastic pan,throw in the fact it uses a replacable filter,so you only have to buy it once.I've been running the PPE pan for going on 7 years now,and when the wifes Challenger is due for a transmission service,it'll also be getting the same pan. Not a chance in hell would i buy the plastic pan again

You say "flimsy", but I've yet to see or hear of one fail (outside of some random road debris incident that broke a pan). Those "flimsy" pans log millions of miles on millions of vehicles without incident.

 

[JHoward]

For this particular part I prefer to use OEM, hence the reason I'm searching out a particular part number.

It's all good.

Hammer down and happy motoring!

 

[Wild one]

You say "flimsy", but I've yet to see or hear of one fail (outside of some random road debris incident that broke a pan). Those "flimsy" pans log millions of miles on millions of vehicles without incident.

That doesn't mean it's the same quality as the PPE pan does it. Your truck and money,but personally for the price differance,i think you're making a mistake. You've never compared the 2 pans have you,if you got your hands onto both,you'd probably be more inclined to think the PPE pan is the way to go

 

[BenchTest]

That doesn't mean it's the same quality as the PPE pan does it. Your truck and money,but personally for the price differance,i think you're making a mistake. You've never compared the 2 pans have you,if you got your hands onto both,you'd probably be more inclined to think the PPE pan is the way to go

I didn't say anything about them being "the same quality". I'll continue logging miles on my "mistake" choice.

 

[Atcer2018]

You say "flimsy", but I've yet to see or hear of one fail (outside of some random road debris incident that broke a pan). Those "flimsy" pans log millions of miles on millions of vehicles without incident.

Those OEM pans do log millions of miles and are a sufficient solution for the ZF transmission. As an owner who has changed my transmission fluid twice on a 8 speed 3.6L truck I can tell you my experience with the OEM pan drain plug leaves much to be desired. It’s a cheap plastic plug that uses a nitrile or Vitron O-ring to seal. It’s fragile and once I opened mine it never closed properly again. I simply don’t trust it. Mine leaked and made my decision to convert to the PPE pan. I like the PPE pan but will say it lacks the amount and placement of magnets inside the pan because it’s aluminum. Only the drain plug is magnetic and I wonder how effective that is. There are other pans available. My point is everything is a trade off. The aluminum pans are not much more expensive than the composite OEM pan and allow for less expensive filter changes in the future. Many have a dedicated drain plug that actually works and the metal pans are more durable than composite.

 

[BenchTest]

Those OEM pans do log millions of miles and are a sufficient solution for the ZF transmission. As an owner who has changed my transmission fluid twice on a 8 speed 3.6L truck I can tell you my experience with the OEM pan drain plug leaves much to be desired. It’s a cheap plastic plug that uses a nitrile or Vitron O-ring to seal. It’s fragile and once I opened mine it never closed properly again. I simply don’t trust it. Mine leaked and made my decision to convert to the PPE pan. I like the PPE pan but will say it lacks the amount and placement of magnets inside the pan because it’s aluminum. Only the drain plug is magnetic and I wonder how effective that is. There are other pans available. My point is everything is a trade off. The aluminum pans are not much more expensive than the composite OEM pan and allow for less expensive filter changes in the future. Many have a dedicated drain plug that actually works and the metal pans are more durable than composite.

I agree with your comments. I did see that B&M makes an aluminum pan that has a bolted in (and serviceable) magnet assembly. Their unit uses a traditional cork composite gasket as it's mating surface is machined flat vs. OEM and others using a machined boss for a seal. I don't like their filter tube extension setup as it's another place to fail during fluid pickup and possible starvation. My personal experience with aftermarket pans has been that there's a lot of trial and error getting them fitted correctly, obtaining the right filter geometry, and sealing. I ran deep pans, Derale cooling, etc. on vehicles that got wrenched on regularly (fun toys) in the past. I've read several more recent stories about people having the same sealing/fitment experiences on ZF units. My truck isn't a high use vehicle, therefore, I don't plan on the pan being dropped regularly. I'll stick with OEM so that I know all of the previously mentioned items won't become future issues. As a side note - I spoke with my local RAM dealer today, and those jokers want $360 for a pan/filter (no bolts, just pan/filter combo). Dealers wonder why nobody wants to shop local with them?! Thanks for the reply.

 

[Daw14]

Hello All,
Anybody know if there is a current production Mopar trans pan that has a drain plug? I went back and forth with several sources during my last fluid change trying to find a pan that was drain plug equipped. I had heard that Mopar discontinued the drain plug, but was told the one I was ordering did have it. It did not. It is Mopar, just no drain plug. Since that time, I've seen various places say that the drain plug is back "by popular demand", but have nothing else to go by other than internet chatter. So, is there a current production Mopar pan with drain plug? Part number if it exists? Thanks.

Those OEM pans do log millions of miles and are a sufficient solution for the ZF transmission. As an owner who has changed my transmission fluid twice on a 8 speed 3.6L truck I can tell you my experience with the OEM pan drain plug leaves much to be desired. It’s a cheap plastic plug that uses a nitrile or Vitron O-ring to seal. It’s fragile and once I opened mine it never closed properly again. I simply don’t trust it. Mine leaked and made my decision to convert to the PPE pan. I like the PPE pan but will say it lacks the amount and placement of magnets inside the pan because it’s aluminum. Only the drain plug is magnetic and I wonder how effective that is. There are other pans available. My point is everything is a trade off. The aluminum pans are not much more expensive than the composite OEM pan and allow for less expensive filter changes in the future. Many have a dedicated drain plug that actually works and the metal pans are more durable than composite.

I have the six speed in mine ,and I added an oversized aluminum pan at fluid change . It came with a magnetic plug ,however I wasn’t satisfied with the size or look of it compared to factory magnet so I jb welded a steel washer to the pan as a way to stick the magnet. It worked out well.

 

[BenchTest]

I have the six speed in mine ,and I added an oversized aluminum pan at fluid change . It came with a magnetic plug ,however I wasn’t satisfied with the size or look of it compared to factory magnet so I jb welded a steel washer to the pan as a way to stick the magnet. It worked out well.

You must an old motorhead Sounds like something us old guys did back in the day.

 

[Wild one]

You must an old motorhead Sounds like something us old guys did back in the day.

If the magnet issue bothers you,i JB Welded a couple round neodynium magnets into mine.
I glued a couple of these into the pan.

https://www.amazon.com/TRYMAG-Neodymium-Magnets-Whitboard-Scientific/dp/B09XV87SV6/ref=sr_1_9?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QnNQBIJpGFCmaVdJ8slB3bs6_r-bB8i_yknsDmLSbIWSDnAHptPuGs-QKdVWJ8_QbIzAXr464hiipn4gScEhUYuj5zV9RiMgj-ag3ij0y4rYclqJj0HVsU9ChuMhC61qh6BDYyPAPgKbFUkBrJQ7bl56BdSTpB65LucgRFDNvlx17_sdcsMi6M6w-biSX2NxRM-Nr1Ehzm7SlcNt1a4X9cpElhfTlmTV1-UOD3p_sBaeZCrZZAgYkkXsaRK2pcgDQ9i6GUo-GKY5qZ3tIafk40zKTU9-PBNCJoa695VRRLs.LGRKLjSvg0Tbanpi9eL58fjbphdKFbFFoVOzAKnJIUY&dib_tag=se&keywords=neodymium%2Bmagnets&qid=1716923382&sr=8-9&th=1