PML GM 4L80E, 4L85E Deep 3.75 Quarts Over Transmission Pan

Description

Volume: 3.75 qts. over stock

Dimensions: Click here for dimensions.

Number of Bolts: 17

PML designed this transmission pan for GMC and Chevrolet 1990 to 1996 model year trucks and SUVs with the 4L80E and 4L85E transmission.

Benefits:

Extra capacity, 3 3/4 quarts over stock
Drain hole and magnetic drain plug for easy fluid changes
Finned for cooling
Heavy duty sand cast aluminum construction
Machined flat gasket sealing surface
Can optionally be machined for a temperture sending unit

Applications

Typically, these vehicles have a 4L80E or 4L85E transmission and can use this PML transmission pan:

C2500 1990 to 1996 with 454, 6.2 & 6.5 diesel engines
K2500 1990 to 1996 with 454, 6.2 & 6.5 diesel engines
C3500 1990 to 1996 with 454, 6.2 & 6.5 diesel engines
K3500 1990 to 1996 with 454, 6.2 & 6.5 diesel engines
Suburban 1992 to 1996 with 5.7, 454, 6.2 & 6.5 diesel engines
1997 and newer vehicles with clearance

Vehicle configurations vary. Always verify your transmission and clearance.

Many 1997 and newer vehicles have the frame cross member running under the rear of the stock pan and do not have enough clearance for this pan. See PML Part Number 9437 for a transmission pan that clears the frame. However, PML Part Number 9437 will not clear the transmission internals on 1990 to 1996 transmissions.

PML also makes a less deep pan for trucks with skid plates or cars. It is PML Part Number 9313.

Installations

Our thanks to those who have emailed us pictures of their installations.

2004 Airstream
1998 Safari Trek Motorhome
1997 K3500
1995 Suburban

2004 Airstream

Dan installed this PML transmission pan on his 2004 Airstream Motorhome with a 4L85E. He said the pan fit beautifully other than a slight contact point with the frame at the rear. A little bit of grinding fixed it.

PML Pan front PML Pan PML Pan rear
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1998 Safari Trek Motorhome

David installed this transmission pan on his 1998 Safari Trek motorhome with a 454 engine and a 4L80E transmission. He also has a Gears Vendors over drive installed. He tows a 3500 lb trailer and had blown 2 transmission in 60,000 miles before installing this PML pan.

David reported that the isntallation was "really simple". He drilled and tapped the pan himself for a temperature sending unit. The first hole was too low so he had to make a second hole.

1998-safari_towing 1998-safari_stock_1 1998-safari_stock_2 1998-safari_motorhome 1998-safari_pmlpan_1 1998-safari_pmlpan_2
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Citation for picture: By David Lippincott https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_R22#/media/File:R22-Trailered.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://mg.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:CC-BY-SA_3.0

1997 K3500

Mike installed a PML 4L80 transmission pan on his 1997 K3500. He does a lot of towing with his K3500 and wants to keep his fluid cooler during trips. He installed the PML pan and a rear differential cover in 2004. Ten years later the truck still runs great.

Images from left to right: PML pan installed, K3500 towing a trailer, PML cover installed.
Click on an image to view larger.

Click here for information on the PML differential cover for the C/K3500.

1995 Suburban

Darrel installed this PML pan on his 1995 Chevy Suburban 2500 4x4 with 6.5L diesel. A cable bracket had to be trimmed down and it was a tight fit.

1995 Suburban stock pan PML 4L80 pan installed on 1995 Suburban 1995 Suburban driver side Bracket

Images show: Stock pan, PML pan installed, Driver side view of PML pan, Bracket on PML pan
Front clearance to PML transmission pan, rear mount to PML transmission pan, tools Darrell used
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Our thanks to Darrel for sharing the pictures and information on his installation. Here are the steps he took to install this pan.

Drained stock transmission
Removed shift linkage bolts and U shaped clip holding cable to bracket with a flat bladed screw driver
Modified bracket to fit on PML pan (see PDF)
Gained access to the rear three bolts on the stock pan by:
- Removing the 4 cross member bolts
- Removing the mount to cross member nuts
- Loosened but did not remove the bolts to the adapter and mount
- Used a bottle jack on cribbing to get it high enough to make contact with bottom of transfer case
- Used a 2x4 between top of jack and transfer case just to protect transfer case
- Picked the transfer case just high enough to slide the cross member towards back of the truck
The holes in the cross member are slotted so no need to remove transmission mount
Removed old pan and filter
Installed new filter and new pan with gasket
Started one bolt on each side of the pan to get all holes to line up and continued installing the rest of the bolts with the help of the tools shown in photo
Tighten the bolts using a combination of the tools shown in photo

These steps are NOT recommend or tested by PML, Inc. and are for reference only. Installer is responsible for any damage to persons or property.

Specifications

Filter

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There are two different filters for the 4L80. PML recommends the Early Model filter for this transmission pan. Example part numbers are:

GM OEM part number 08684221
Pioneer Filter Part Number 746052
Wix 58917

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A filter extension is not needed since the PML pan has filter supports to hold the filter in place.

If using a late model filter, the supports in the PML pan are not designed to rest on the bumps on the bottom of the filter. PML does not recommend using a late model filter.

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

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.

Optional Temperature Sending Unit Machining

Optionally, this pan can be machined for a temperature sending unit. This would be for an aftermarket temperature gage. There is boss on both the driver and the passenger sides of the pan for this.

If you would like PML to drill and tap the hole, there is a custom machining charge. Select the option before adding pan to cart. A plug for the hole is included.

The standard size is 1/8 NPT. Call or email if you need a different size.