Thread: Has anyone used the non genuine steel transmission pan?

I swapped to a steel pan 80k ago and used the original bolts that were on pan. Personally liking the ease of how my tools fitted. Cutting out the original plastic sump was easy and installing new just as easy. Only paying around 250$ from here:Easy Fit Automatic Transmission Filter Conversion Kit - Britpart DA2142 | Rimmer Bros. I used 9lters of original fluid. Just drained refilled, let get to temp, ran through all the gears and drained and refilled again to ensure at least 70% fluid change. After 40k I got the dreaded trans shudder while towing camper trailer through the flinders rangers. So at 50k added Liqud Moly trans fluid cleaner. Then used the following steps. Drained and refilled with Nulon. Drained, changed filter. Filled and drained three more times. Letting it get back to temp and running through all the gears each time. On the last refill topping up to full mark while engine running. The shudder is almost gone but can still be felt at times. If possible reset trans adaptives after changing oil types. I just did the battery reset as no Hawkey. Now 40000 km later all good still. Ford also sell filters quite cheap as they also use pan on falcons.

Originally Posted by DunnToImpress

I have been considering changing to the steel pan but have gone on the "if it isn't broke why fix it" thinking. How often should the Filter in the pan be changed/cleaned??? I have done a fair bit of caravan towing and have been pretty good with the oil changes but haven't been near the filter in the pan. Thoughts would be appreciated.

If doing any off roading, its piece of mind having a steel pan. Even with the factory bash plate, in place ( also plastic btw) the plastic pan is reasonably exposed.

Plus filter changes can be done withour destroying the pan.