I just installed a Mag-Hytec transmission pan and thought I’d do a post to let you know about the process. All in all it was a positive experience, but not without some bumps.

Mag-Hytec makes oversized transmission pans and differential covers. They are of cast aluminum and designed to not only increase fluid volume, but also aid in cooling – acting like a heat-sink with cooling fins. The product is solid, although it isn’t for every application. As some have pointed out the “crack and break” tendency of cast aluminum when struck (as opposed to the “bend and crush” tendency of steel) might prove a very bad thing in off-road situations, but for towing the added fluid volume and heat-sink/cooling effect is desirable.

First the problems. The outfit is owned by a husband & wife team. He is great to deal with – a very helpful, knowledgeable, customer service oriented guy. His wife on the other hand (who seems to handle most of the clerical work) is not well suited to customer service. It was like pulling teeth to get a UPS tracking number from her three days after ordering a product! She constantly repeated “our policy is to not give these out until three days after shipping because we’d be at the shipping computer all day…” She didn’t want to hear why I needed it, or do anything to help. In fact, it seemed she was looking for any excuse not to help! “Well maybe it didn’t ship when you think it did, so maybe it hasn’t been three days yet, so I’m not going to go look it up for you…” Sheesh! Most companies manage to send out a tracking number the day it ships! She actually called me rude because I wanted a tracking number and didn’t accept her standard “our policy...” excuse. These problems persisted over several calls on a variety of topics. The best way to describe her mannerism would be to liken her to that really rude waitress you always see in the greasy spoon diners in the movies! “Give me two specials to go herb, and make it quick!” in that squeaky Bronx accent – you know. My wife even listened in on one of the calls just to make sure it wasn’t me being out of line.

The only installation related problem I had was with the mounting bolts. Since the pan is thicker than stock, the stock bolts aren’t used. Replacements are supplied in both 20mm and 25mm lengths. In addition, if you install the 25mm bolt in some holes, you can damage some of the internal parts of the transmission. All this was documented in the installation instructions and he even sent a “map” of where the shorter bolts were required to avoid doing damage. My problem was that all of the holes on my transmission needed the shorter bolts and only 7 were supplied – so I spent a morning cleaning out every hardware store I could find to get the required additional 13. When I talked with him he told me that many of the 4R100 transmissions didn’t have their pan mounting holes tapped deeply enough and they had run into this before.

Now, on to the good – everything else! The pan is well designed with excellent fit and finish. Other than its weight (22 pounds!) installation was quite easy (with the required additional bolts).

The pan uses an o-ring seal rather than the standard gasket. I believe this allows for metal-to-metal contact between the pan and transmission housing, aiding in heat transfer and dissipation. The pan also has a temperature sensor port pre-drilled and tapped and an oversized magnetic drain plug. Both of these plugs also use an o-ring seal. The drain plug is particularly large (1” in diameter or so) and doesn’t leak at all until the plug falls out. So if you need to drain “a little” fluid you may want to use the temperature sensor port. This is a fact I found out the hard way! When you open the drain plug – it drains! Now! Like a race horse!

The use of the pan requires the Ford transmission filter that comes with the 4x4 pan. The part number is included in the installation instructions. The 4x4 filter has a deeper pickup on it and helps to ensure that the pump doesn’t suck air when fluid sloshes around in the oversized pan.

Transmission temps appeared to be immediately lower. Obviously it is hard to say with certainty because outside conditions vary so widely. I’m about to do a 3000 mile towing trip so I’ll post back how the cooling seems with the new pan.

Overall, it seems to be a really good product. If you need to talk with someone, keep calling back ‘till you get a guy!

 

Thanks for the infor. I am interested in your thoughts after your trip. I am looking at getting the pan for my 01 PSD X.

 

I will do that.

BTW, as I read thru my original posting I noticed that it implies that the new transmission filter comes with the Mag-Hytec pan. IT DOES NOT. The "4x4" pan I refered to is the Ford 4x4 pan, which uses a deeper pickup filter.