Adding a transmission drain plug?

[sallystrothers]

I just dropped the pan from my 4 speed to change the fluid (and filter while I'm at it). I'm wondering, is it worth it to add a drain plug to the pan while its out? I've seen a video where a guy drills a hole and welds a nut and I've also seen other products that don't need welding. Next time, should I just disconnect one of the transmission cooler return lines and connect a hose, start it up, and run it until it stops flowing?

 

[papakb]

There's a dozen places online where you can buy a 4L80 transmission pan with a drain plug already in it for around $30. Why go thru the trouble to hack one up yourself?

 

[sue]

Starting it up to run it out,? Not the smartest thing

 

[sallystrothers]

There's a dozen places online where you can buy a 4L80 transmission pan with a drain plug already in it for around $30. Why go thru the trouble to hack one up yourself?

I got a dorman matching OEM profile pan with a drain plug. I didn't like some of the other pans with a different profile because when under the HMMWV, a different profile pan might be the first thing that strikes a rock from what I could see.

 

[osteo16]

The 4l80E doesnt have a drain plug. ???. ... That sucks...