Drain plug

[cmann250]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detai ... &ppt=C0377

Seems like a horrible idea, but ham dandy. Anyone used one of these? Tips, tricks, run the other way as fast as you can? If I have this, I'll be 10 times more likely to get excited about a shift kit.

[dazedandconfused]

Edit it showed the second time. Looks like a decent idea as long as it seals.

[cmann250]

Yea I'm not above welding, JB Welding, AND putting some kind of gasket maker on it. If space permits, I'm thinking about putting it in the back of the pan since this truck sees way more off road activity than a 2wd should.

[Hansen01]

Least you wouldn't have to get covered in quite as much trans fluid

[cmann250]

Least you wouldn't have to get covered in quite as much trans fluid

Yea I was trying to avoid the typical sleeve full of trans fluid

[PToombs]

I just don't understand how you guys get a fluid bath? You only need to be smarter than the trans pan. Oh, sorry! I remove the bolts from the back, and work my way up both sides evenly, then go across the front. At some point along the sides the pan starts to tip, and I have a drain pan to catch the oil. When it's mostly drained I just push it up, pull the last bolt or 2, and remove it.
That being said, I only do this the 1st time, when it goes back on, it has a drain in it. I just braze a 1/2" nut to the bottom of the pan, and use a 1/2" bolt with a plastic washer to seal it. I sometimes have to cut the bolt a little so it doesn't stick inside much.

[D-dog357]

That's a great idea PToombs :idea
While not everyone has a welder, most of us have a propane torch and could figure out how do a little brazing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[cmann250]

Braze, eh. Even trustier than the kit it seems. Good idea Pete. I don't care what Tacoclaw says, I can think of at least 4 or 5 of your posts that have been helpful to me.

[PToombs]

I'm almost as cheap as Bill, so that's an easy way for me.

Caleb, like how much fun D's are?

[cmann250]

Caleb, like how much fun D's are?

More fun than a barrel of monkeys

[PToombs]

Caleb, like how much fun D's are?

More fun than a barrel of monkeys

I meant that was one of the 4 or 5 helpful posts?

[cmann250]

I meant that was one of the 4 or 5 helpful posts?

I knew that, but yes, it was helpful. It would have gotten a "thank you" on Cummins Forum

[txs]

Pete, glad you qualified that statement with almost, nobody's as cheap as bill

[PToombs]

[monoblock]

I just did this job -as an amateur ,not like the Pro's above who have already answered.
I used a drain plug kit ,drilled the 1/2" hole cleaned the pan fastidiously ,replaced the plastic washers supplied with copper and used RED Loctite on the washers -all sides and the threads/nuts. I let it harden/set overnight before refitting the pan.
BTW WalMart was the best price for ATF+4 -but they only put 6 qts on their display -so plan ahead.
To drop the pan without a Hazmat incident I cheated and used a Harbor Freight trans jack under the pan. It is the crank up/down one :http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/transmission-jacks/450-lb-capacity-transmission-jack-39178.html
It worked great with only about 10 pounds on it! But remember the pan may be full to the brim of the pan -or maybe more!
A drain plug makes it so much easier.And when you overfill the pan, you are not tempted to leave that foaming excess fluid in there.