AW4, A340 Deep Transmission Pan For Jeep and Toyota, "No Dipstick" Design

In Development

PML Part Number 11076

  
Click on image to view larger.

Status and Availablity: We made prototype parts for test installs. See the Installations below. We are making more pans for prototype testing, available June 2019.
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Pricing: To be determined when production parts are in process, probably $280 to $340 in cast finish

Volume: approximately 1 1/2 quarts over stock compared to AW4 stock pan Mopar part number 83504037

Number of Bolts: 19

Dimensions: 1 1/4 inches deeper than stock Mopar part number 83504037. Click here for dimensions.

Thanks to those who have emailed us and responded to our questions.

See Installations.

Applications

Some models of these vehicles have an AW4 or A340 transmission:

• 1987 to 2001 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
• 1987 to 2000 Jeep Wagoneer
• 1991 to 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) with the 4.0L
• 1987 to 1992 Jeep Comanche MJ
• 1992 to 2002 Toyota 4Runner
• 1992 to 1998 Toyota Supra L6 3.0L without Turbo
• 1993 to 1998 Toyota Supra L3 3.0L with Turbo
• 1993 to 1998 Toyota T100
• 1992 to 2017 Toyota Tacoma
• 1995 to 2004 Toyota Tundra

The A340 (A340E, A340F, A340H), A341E, and A343F transmissions are also found in some 1990 to 2005 Kia, Lexus, Mitsubishi and Volvo vehicles.

Benefits

PML AW4, A340 pan has:

• Fins and extra capacity to keep fluid cooler
• Drain and magnetic drain plug for easy servicing
• Heavy duty, quality sand cast aluminum contruction for strength and a leak-free seal
• Boss for optional temperature sending unit
• Includes new mounting bolts and magnetic drain plug

The PML design is flexible to to work with several vehicles.

Because different models have different the stock pans and dipstick receiver tubes, we have replaced the dipstick and receiver tube with level check/fill holes on the pan.

This means you would no longer use your dipstick. The transmission fluid level would be checked from pan!

PML No Dipstick Design Details

How to fill: There is a fill/level check hole on the bottom of the pan. You would need to use a pump and fill the transmission through the bottom of the pan. You would fill until the fluid starts to dribble out then put in the fill hole plug.

How to check: To check the fluid, you would remove the plug and see if any fluid dribbles out. If it does, it's full and you're good to go.

How did we come up with these levels? The dipstick has two levels: "OK" and "MAX"

We measured the stock distance from the flange to the OK and MAX lines. It is approximately 1.28 inches.

Stock dipstick for an AW4, A340 transmission, click on image to view larger   Stock pan distance from flange to OK fill line, click on image to view larger   Stock pan distance from flange to MAX fill line, click on image to view larger

To check our manual measurements we laser scanned the parts and verified the distances using computer-aided design software.

When we made our pans, we verified that the distances match the stock pan and dipstick.

PML AW4, A340 transmission pan, fill levels on pan, click on image to view larger   PML AW4, A340 transmission pan, flange to OK level check hole, click on image to view larger   PML AW4, A340 transmission pan, flange to OK level check hole, click on image to view larger

Any benefits to the PML no dipstick design? Checking the fluid on the pan is less convinient than using a dipstick but there are a couple small benefits:

• Current dipstick tube has so many bends that pulling out the dipstick wipes off the fluid so it's hard to get an accurate reading
• More space available in the engine compartment

PML Dipstick Add-On Details (Possible Future Option)

We are designing an optional replacement dipstick. This will be an add-on to our pan and will include a bolt-on adapter, tube and custom dipstick if there is enough interest and after the pan is in production.

This is a computer generated picture. Click to view larger in a new window or tab. An adapter is shown on the passenger's side of the pan. The adapter/tube/dipstick will be optional and priced separately. No pricing estimate yet but it will be on the expensive side.

Stock Pan and Transmission

This PML design is based on the AW4 transmission for a 1987 to 2001 Jeep XJ. Transmission pan is Mopar part number 83504037.

    PML AW4, A340 transmission pan compared to AW4 stock pan
  
Click on image to view larger.

Filter and Gasket

PML designed this pan to work with the stock gasket and filter.

The filter bolts on to the valve body. No filter extension is needed. The pick up and fluid level is at the same place with the PML pan as with the stock pan.

Transmission Info

The A340 (A340E, A340F, A340H) and the AW4 are sister transmissions. The AW4 is commonly found in Jeeps, such as 1987-2001 Cherokees. The A340E, A340F, A340H transmission is found in Toyota cars, trucks and SUVs and a few Mitsubishis, Kias, Lexus cars and SUVs, and Volvos.

There are 9 different stock pans. These 9 stock pans have 4 different depths and 7 different dipstick receiver heights and angles. The dipstick receivers complicate the design and manufacturing. There are 13 different filters and 15 different valve bodies in addition to 9 different pans.

This variety of pans, filters, valve bodies and applications complicates the design and testing. Information and pictures on vehicle configurations are much appreciated!

Installations

These are pictures of installations of prototype pans. Our thanks to those installations for their feedback.

2000 Cherokee 4.0 XJ

Kurt provided details about his installation (PDF file coming shortly). He noted that he had to pry the stock pan off. After installing the PML pan, he saw fluid temperatures 15 to 20 degrees cooler overall.

2000 Cherokee   Stock transmission pan   PML and stock pan side by side   2000-cherokee_pml_pan_install  
Filling PML AW4 pan with transmission fluid   Bending hose on fluid pump to keep fluid from running back out   Transmission fluid temperatures with PML AW4 pan installed   PML pan on 2000 XJ
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1998 Cherokee 4.0 XJ

Richard reported that he had to remove the transmission cross member to remove his old pan and install the PML pan. Pumping fluid in gets messy unless the pump has a flexible tube that can bend at the top to prevent fluid from running back out.

1998 Cherokee 4.0   1998 Cherokee Stock Pan   Installing PML AW4 transmission pan on 1998 Cherokee
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1990 Cherokee

Aaron installed this PML pan on his 1990 Cherokee XJ Limited 4.0 4WD. His Cherokee has a 4.5 lift, aftermarket high flow exhaust, transmission cooler, and tow package. He was pleased to see lower fluid temperatures with the PML pan installed.

1990 Cherokee XJ   1990 Cherokee stock transmission pan   Transmission on a 1990 Cherokee   1990 Cherokee PML AW4 transmission pan installed, view from driver side   Passenger side view of PML AW4 pan on 1990 Cherokee
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Make Your Own Deep Pan

See this write-up by gojeep.willyshotrod.com/HowtoAutoDeepPan.htm who welded his own extra capacity pan from two stock pans. He has some great pictures even if you do want want to make one yourself.