Thoughts on adding a trans pan drain plug?

[ChallengerHK]

Good idea? Bad idea? I know I manage to get fluid everywhere every time I drain my transmission.

I'm thinking drill a hole, weld a nut to the inside, and add a bolt with a crush washer and it's a done deal.  Am I missing anything?

[Jacksboys]

You may want to weld the nut to the outside or you will not be able to drain all of your fluid.  Good idea though, I have been thinking about buying a pan with a plug also.

[RUSTY Cuda]

Yea I could never understand why they didn't come with a drain, I bought a deep pan with the drain plug, gotta be better than the mess I made changing it out! Rich.

[ChallengerHK]

You may want to weld the nut to the outside or you will not be able to drain all of your fluid.  Good idea though, I have been thinking about buying a pan with a plug also.

Since I have a bad habit of scraping things on the bottom of the car, I don't want this to stick out any more than it has to  I was thinking that I might put the nut in a drill press and make some holes on the bottom side to drain fluid.

[tactransman]

Yup,it is a good idea.   Here is the kit that I made up.

[Chryco Psycho]

The Only good explanation I have ever heard for Not having a plug is so you have to pull the pan so you may as well  change the filter & clean the pan while you are in there they should still have a plug though , it always makes a mess

[tactransman]

I have been told two reasons:
1. So people would not drain their tranny when they tried to change their oil.
2. It cost less not to have the drain plug installed in the pan.

[matt63]

All good reasons. Another one is that it is also a source of leaks.  Since tranny oil is often checked and changed infrequently it isn't worth it for stock cars.  For enthusiasts like us, it does make sense.

[Jacksboys]

Since I have a bad habit of scraping things on the bottom of the car, I don't want this to stick out any more than it has to  I was thinking that I might put the nut in a drill press and make some holes on the bottom side to drain fluid.

Sounds like a good idea   

[67vertman]

You may want to get a magnetic plug at the auto parts store.  That way you can keep an eye out for any metal shavings. 

[Chryco Psycho]

usually there is a magnet inside the pan