Complete Oil Changes

Removing the last trapped quart from the duramax, with PPE’s upgraded oil pan

- By Michael Eckerson

The engineering put into each of the generations of the Chevy Duramax diesel (2001-current) is at a top-level. Many of the earlier models are still working and playing hard. The improvements through the years as GM addressed the ever-changing and restrictive mandates of the Air Resource Board and Environmental Protection Agency remained a constant challenge. GM engineering kept up with these mandates and the company continues to produce exceptionally hardworking and stylish trucks that got good fuel mileage, and their longevity is almost legendary.

PPE looks closely at the elements that make up these trucks. Over the many years PPE has been in business they have consistently made improvements to the winning platforms of GM, Dodge/Ram, Ford, and now Jeep.

After letting the L5P drain out we reinstalled the drain plug and removed the stock pan. It’s a little involved to remove the cross-member but it makes for easier access to the pan. We also opted to drop the front diff and move the trans line out of our way. The L5P pan is a long pan so it needs plenty of room when you’re removing and reinstalling.