Aluminum differential covers are starting to show up standard on new diesel pickups. Thanks to Pacific Performance Engineering (PPE), if you own an older truck you can upgrade and enjoy cooler differential fluid temperatures and the benefits of increased fluid capacity, too. More capacity means the fluid does not have to work as hard or as often. It also means more space for contamination to get suspended. PPE’s differential covers fit ’03-and-newer Dodge Rams equipped with a diesel and ’01-and-newer Duramax-equipped GM pickups. Aluminum Transmission Pan Dodge automatic transmissions might especially benefit from the extra strength the side ribs on the PPE pan provide. The transmission’s internals are also helped by the extra fluid capacity in the same ways we described with the differential cover. The basic principle is more surface area equals more space for the heat to escape or transfer to the ambient air. PPE’s transmission pan is designed to fit ’66 to ’07 Dodge transmissions. In our case, our ’05 came with the four-speed 48RE. While we were at it, we decided to fix a potential problem that could let air into the transmission’s fluid system. In the end, we got a better look and more performance. According to PPE, the raw aluminum finish of its pans provides increased heat rejection properties as compared to units that have been painted. The stock stamped-steel transmission pan doesn’t have cooling fins that provide much surface area, or big ribs that provide strength. It also has 4 quarts less fluid capacity than PPE’s pan. We had Auto Body & More in Santa Rosa, California, do our dirty work so we could snap photos of the PPE upgrades.The stock stamped-steel transmission pan doesn’t have cooling fins that provide much surfa The MP-15 gasket included with the PPE transmission pan (cast from A356-T6 aluminum) is designed for applications with short-duration maximum temperatures up to 400 degrees. The stock transmission gasket can also be used with this pan. The 1/4-inch and 1⁄8-inch NPT ports allow for temperature fluid sensors. The 5⁄8-inch internal baffles absorb heat from the fluid and direct it toward the filter pickup. The retail price for the pan is $329.99.The MP-15 gasket included with the PPE transmission pan (cast from A356-T6 aluminum) is de We also added PPE’s Viton O-ring Sealed Filter Spacer Block. This piece ensures air does not get sucked when the transmission needs its fluid most. We tightened its fasteners to 10 ft-lb.We also added PPE’s Viton O-ring Sealed Filter Spacer Block. This piece ensures air does n The next step was to attach the filter to the spacer block. Its fasteners were torqued to no more than 10 ft-lb. Then the gasket and pan were installed with the included Allen bolts tightened to 10 to 12 ft-lb in a crisscross pattern to avoid distortion. Auto Body & More then filled the transmission with about 9 quarts of transmission fluid. Then it brought the truck up to operating temperature, parked on a flat surface, and put the transmission in neutral while the engine was running to check the fluid level. It’s always important to be sure to not over or under fill an automatic transmission. You can also measure the amount of fluid you drained from the transmission and then add that much back in— assuming the level was correct to begin with. Also, make sure to add an extra 4 quarts to meet the new pan’s capacity.The next step was to attach the filter to the spacer block. Its fasteners were torqued to The stock stamped-steel differential cover doesn’t provide as much cooling or fluid capacity as PPE’s cover. The original one has no drain plug, either. So just like with the stock transmission pan, a messy and time-consuming removal will occur every time the fluid is changed.The stock stamped-steel differential cover doesn’t provide as much cooling or fluid capaci The differential cover sealing surface needs to be clean before the gasket and new PPE differential cover is installed. We recommend using a rag and solvent.The differential cover sealing surface needs to be clean before the gasket and new PPE dif The PPE differential cover is cast from A356-T6 aluminum and comes with 1⁄8-inch and 1/4-inch stainless steel temperature-probe access plugs. These access points could also be used for running wires or lines for locking differential devices. There is a 3⁄8-inch NPT stainless steel drain plug and 1-inch magnetized fill plug. The cover comes with a CMP-4000 high-compressed gasket featuring a synthetic-fiber matrix and fully cured nitrile butadiene rubber binder. It can take short-duration maximum temperatures up to 650 degrees. We decided to use the original reusable gasket shown here.The PPE differential cover is cast from A356-T6 aluminum and comes with 1⁄8-inch and 1/4-i Auto Body & More tightened the 6mm Allen wrench fasteners to 18 ft-lb in a crisscross pattern so as to not distort the pan. The PPE heavy-duty differential cover retails for $329.99. The original rear differential fluid capacity is about 4 quarts. The PPE cover adds another 4 quarts to the differential. Gear lube was pumped into the fill hole until it started to run out, signaling it was full.Auto Body & More tightened the 6mm Allen wrench fasteners to 18 ft-lb in a crisscross patt SOURCES Pacific Performance Engineering 303 N Placentia Avenue Fullerton CA 92831 714-985-4825 www.pacificp.com Interface Solutions 800-942-7538 www.sealinfo.com Auto Body and More 3335 Standish Ave Santa Rosa CA 95407 707-584-2886 www.autobodyandmore.com By Jason Thompson Enjoyed this Post? 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