AW4, A340 Deep Transmission Pan For Jeep and Toyota

In Development, No Parts Yet

PML Part Number 11076

Computer model of design. Click on image to view larger.

Status and Availablity: We are making prototype parts from our updated design (see computer model above). These parts should be ready for test installations February 2019. Sign up for our email list to receive updates.

Pricing: To be determined when production parts are in process, probably $270 to $320 in cast finish

Volume: approximately 1 3/8 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

Thanks to those who have responded to our questions, answered our emails, and taken the survey.

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

PML Design

We have designed a pan to work with several vehicles and be able to replace several of the stock pans.

Because the stock pans have dipstick receiver tubes in different locations and heights, we have replaced the 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!

February 2019 Update: We have been working on a couple different designs. We made a few parts from our first preliminary and now have an improved, updated design. We are making some prototype parts and the new castings are in the machine shop now.

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.

This picture shows a different transmission and vehicle but the idea would be the same.

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

PML Dipstick Add-On Details

If you want a dipstick with your PML pan: We are designing an optional replacement dipstick. This will be an add-on to our pan and will include a bolt-on tube and custom replacement dipstick. This will be an add-on and will be available if there is enough interest.

This is a computer generated picture of our pan with the bolt-on adapter for a dipstick tube. Click on image to view larger in a new window or tab.

This shows the adapter only. It does not show the dipstick tube or the dipstick.

In this image the adapter is installed on the passenger's side of the pan. The adapter and dipstick can also be installed on the driver's side.

This will be an add-on option. The adapter/dipstick tube/dipstick will be priced separately and available as an option. No pricing estimate yet but it will be on the expensive side.

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!

Stock Pan for AW4

These are stock parts for an AW4 transmission for an 1987 to 2001 Jeep XJ. We also have the A340 stock parts. We are using these for our design and development.

Transmission pan is Mopar part number 83504037.

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.