Do it yourself. It's super messy the first time, so install a drain plug while the pan's off.

 

actually it doesnt have to be messy the first time. this is what i did last time.... i went and bought the fluid, filter, gasket and drain plug kit. when i got home, i drilled a tiny hole in the pan and let the fluid drain for ~10 minutes. once it's all drained out, you can pull the pan and drill your big hole for the plug kit. i had a bucket under there when i drilled and got NO fluid on my garage floor (or the drill) at all

 

I wasn't brave enough to pre-drill the hole not knowing what was on the other side of the pan

 

In reply to:

I wasn't brave enough to pre-drill the hole not knowing what was on the other side of the pan

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No $hit about that. I guess I found a new project for the weekend. Thanks guys

 

I remembered what was on the other side from the last time i had the pan off... dig up some pics of the pan/filter arrangement and you can pretty much figure out where it's safe to drill. If you're worried about drilling into the hydraulics, stick a bushing on your bit so that you'll only drill into the pan 1/4"... though I think any bottom surface of the pan is going to be further from the important stuff than most bits will reach. If you're still not confident, put down lots of newspaper and just drop the pan, but it's a messy ordeal!

 

Hey Muddy

where'd you put the drain plug kit ? I've got an AOD on my 86 with that 4 sided pyramid sticking down an inch and a half lower than the rest of the pan. I was tempted to put one there, but it's the lowest point and might get wiped off if it sticks lower than the crossmember protecting it.

Wasn't thinking, I just got my package from Summit today, I could have had them throw that drain plug kit in with the 3" cat and Flowmaster 2into1 pipe that just arrived.

Sixlitre

 

Have to agree with Sixlire here. the low part of the pan, unless you can get a sunk plug that fits flush and will not leak, is not a good idea to be drilling for a plug. It is not thick aluminum, would not take any hit and it would be leaking like crazy. I already would like an extra plate down there for protection. Surely would not want more problems with a hanging plug from thin aluminum. It is not messy if done with a big drip pan.

 

I put mine up high, toward the rear of the pan on the big flat area... it is well protected but also leaves quite a bit of fluid in the pan. I'm tempted to move it, but as you said, not on the very bottom. I cant remember exactly how the filter sits down there but maybe on the side of the sump would work?

 

I put my plug in the front face of that low hump. Can't get caught on anything and drains the pan completely.

And Juice, you're not thinking the pan is aluminum, are you?

 

Actually I was, but now that you have me thinking about it, I have a big magnet in the bottom of mine, so obviously it is steel. However, my thinking stills stands...it is thin STEEL, so the idea of drilling it for a plug does not sound real great. How are you getting the plug to thread in/and stay in, without leaking? If that sucker really started leaking for some reason, you would be in a world of hurt if you didn't catch it in time.

 

The plug does not thread into the pan. The "kit" comes with a bushing 'n stuff, basically you're installing a nut which *sandwiches* the pan. The plug then threads into this nut. Hope I'm not getting too technical for anybody

I installed my drain plug at the back of the pan up high and then of course it occurred to me it'll still leave a lot of fluid in the pan like Muddy said. Maybe I could park on ramps when I drain it; haven't changed the fluid again since the install.

Be sure to turn the motor over by hand to line the torque converter plug up with the hole.

 

The kit is the easy way to go. I welded a nut inside my pan and use an OEM style drain plug for it.

 

So here is the link to summit. The drain kit is only $6.50. It is made by B & M. This will just make things less messy the next time around when you change your tranny fluid. I guess the next thing to do is look at the pan and find a place that you would feel comfortable putting the drain without it being exposed to trees, rocks etc. that you would find on a trail, but also so that the pan drains as well.

Anybody that has done this with pics of where they put the drain kit?

I guess that if the drain kit is put out of the way and the pan doesn't drain completely, you're getting most of the fluid out and have less of a mess to deal with when taking the pan off to replace filter and drain the TC, right?

 

yep, i have mine pretty much as high as you can put it and the pan still has some weight to it, but i can get it to the bucket and drain from one corner without making a mess. i would put it lower though, like where Piston put his.