PML GM 4L80E, 4L85E Deep 1997 And Later Transmission Pan

Description

Volume: 3.25 qts. over stock

Dimensions: Click here for dimensions.

Number of Bolts: 17

Benefits:

Extra Capacity
Drain hole and magnetic drain plug for easy fluid changes
Finned for cooling
Heavy duty sand cast aluminum construction
Machined flat gasket sealing surface
Location for optional temperature sensor machining

Applications

Generally, this PML pan fits GM and Chevrolet 1997 and newer trucks, SUVs, and vans with the 4L80E, 4L85E transmission. Examples of vehicles that this pan may fit are:

Avalanche 2500, 2002 to 2006 8.1 V8, see installation note at bottom
Hummer H1, 1997 to 2005 with 5.7, 6.5 diesel engines
C2500, K2500 1997 to 1999 with 454, 6.5 diesel engines
C3500, K3500 1997 to 1999 with 454, 6.5 diesel engines
Express, Savana, 1997 to 2009, 6.0, 6.5 & Duramax diesel engines, some 4.8
Sierra, Silverado 2500/3500, 1999 and 2000
Sierra, Silverado 2500/3500, HD or Classic, 2001 to 2007, 6.0 V8
Sierra, Silverado 1500HD, 2001 to 2007, 6.0 V8
Suburban 2500, 1997 to 2006 8.1 V8, see Avalanche installation note at bottom

Vehicle configurations vary so always check your configuration and clearance before ordering. Some models may require modification of the heat shield.

Earlier model year vehicles will need a pan without a slant to avoid interference with transmission internals. See this extra capacity PML pan for GM 4L80E/4L85E transmissions on early model trucks.

For Hummer H1: please read these additional instruction tips: PML Part Number 9437 on a Hummer H1 Installation (a new window or tab will open with the PDF file).

Installation Notes:

Because of the frame cross member, many vehicles will need to loosen the transmission mounts and jack up the transmission to remove the stock pan and install the PML pan.
Some vehicles may need to modify or remove the heat shield.
Depending on clearance available on the vehicle, accessing the mounting bolts maybe difficult. PML provides allen head bolts and PML pan walls are thicker and closer to the bolt holes than the stock pan.

Installations

Installations in this appear in this order. Scroll down for pictures and images.

1997 Hummer h1

2012 Rally Fighter

2008 Express Van 3500

2003 Silverado 3500
2006 Silverado 1500HD

2005 Avalanche< 2500/li>

1997 Hummer H1

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PML GM 4L80 transmission pan installed on a 1997 TD H1 Hummer. PML also makes differential covers and window switch plate bezels for H1 Hummers.

2012 Rally Fighter

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Sonny installed PML deep 4L80 transmission pan on his Rally Fighter to help with high fluid temperatures. He also put in heat shielding. Now temperatures are in an ideal range. And he is happy to have a drain plug to make fluid changes easier.

2008 Express Van 3500

Duff installed this PML transmission pan on his 2008 Chevy Express 3500 6.0 van to keep his fluid temperatures down while towing.

2008 Express Van 3500 Stock pan, passenger side view Stock pan, driver side view
PML pan installed, view of front of pan PML pan installed, right side view of pan Temperature sending unit installed in PML pan
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2003 Silverado 3500

Clint installed this PML pan on his 2003 Chevy 3500 4x4 6L. He double tows a 28 foot 5th wheeler and wave runners and pushes snow in the winter. To install, he dropped the cross member and removed the shift linkage bracket to allow access to clean the transmission gasket surface.

After installed the pan Clint emailed us: "Great product, fit perfect and it looks great."

2003 Silverado 3500 4L80 filter and gasket stock transmission pan PML 4L80 transmission pan installed
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2006 Silverado 1500HD

This installation is on a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500HD. The images below show the stock pan and the PML pan. To install the PML pan, the heat shield was removed. During the installation, the transmission mounts were loosened to allow easier access. The pan has the as-cast finish.

2005 Avalanche 2500

This transmission pan was installed on a 2005 Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1 engine and 4L85E transmission. This Avalanche is used as a plow truck and general workhorse.

These images show the stock pan, the shift linkage, and the Felpro gasket used with the PML pan (part number TOS 18698) :

The images below show the PML transmission pan installed. The image on the left shows the heat shield next to the PML pan. In the center image, you can see that the shift linkage is really close to the pan. The installer filed off about 1/16" and then bent it out a bit to keep it away from the pan. The last image shows the pan installed before the cross member is put back on. The cross member did not interfere with the pan. The customer removed the cross member to replace his transfer case.

Here are the installation notes from the Avalanche owner:

It's a tight fit but fits fine. I didn't remove the heat shield (no need). The shield on this vehicle is on the right side and is also part of the exhaust hanger. You can't remove the entire thing (as it is the hanger) but you can cut the spot welds to remove the shield but there was no point as it isn't hitting (slightly bent the shield by hand to make sure I had plenty of clearance).

I found the left side of the pan needed to go up first then the right BUT the right needed to be snugged up to the gasket surface first otherwise it is difficult. The pan fits but I needed to figure out just how to sneak it into place. It's a tight fit but it does fit fine.

The only spot that hit the pan was the bracket for the shift linkage. I filed it a bit (maybe 1/16" or less) and once I remove the front drive shaft tomorrow I'll bend it out a bit to keep it away from the pan.

I also held up the cross member after the install and no clearance issues there either. The 2500 Avalanche should be exactly the same as the 2500 Suburban.

After driving 600 miles with the PML pan installed, this customer emailed us again to say "Works great, no rubbing of any kind or no noises." He used Amsoil synthetic transmission fluid. Temperature of the fluid does not go over 200 even when plowing heavy snow for long periods.

Specifications

Gasket

PML recommends a cork or cork composite gasket with our GM 4L80, 4L80E transmission pans. For example, Mahle Part Number W39379. This gasket is about 0.070 inches thick. Many other manufacturers also make cork/cork composite gaskets for the 4L80 transmission that would work great with this PML transmission pan. This is just an example.

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The installer must verify fitment and installation.

Filter

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There are two different filters for the 4L80. PML recommends a late model filter for use with this transmission pan. An early model filter might might work also.

Reference GM OEM part number 08684221 or Pioneer Filter Part Number 745176.

This PML pan has filter supports to hold the filter in place. A filter extension is not needed. The bumps on the bottom of the late model filter may not sit exactly on the filter supports.

The installer must verify fitment and installation. Be sure to check that the filter sits correctly.

Inside of Pan

The filter supports are the three circular cylinders on the inside of the pan. The flange is machined flat for a secure seal.
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Included With Pan

PML includes new mounting bolts and a magnetic tipped drain plug with sealing washer with each pan.

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Optional Temperature Sending Unit Machining

Optionally, this pan can be drilled and tapped with a 1/8 NPT threaded hole for an aftermarket temperature sending unit. PML designed the pan with a thick area on each side of the pan for this purpose. If you want PML to drill and tap the hole, there is a machining charge and the option can be selected before added the pan to the cart.
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Cable Bracket on Stock Pan

Some stock pans have a bracket for the shift cable assembly attached to the flange.

Our customer Darrell provided these Guidelines for Modifying the Bracket to work with the PML pan.

Image PML pan installed with bracket modified to fit.

PML Transmission Pan Compared to Stock

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