deep pan or shallow pan

[paintdrying]

How can I tell if I have a deep or shallow transmission pan, it is rear wheel drive. I dropped the pan and pulled the filter( looked original) and it was thicker than the new one i bought. Is there a specific filter I should go with. For now the cheapos will work because I am changing the fluid and filter every 500 miles to flush everything out.
I want to put a drain plug in the pan and I noticed a place where there is an indent in the pan. Looks like a nice place to put the plug, however it is elevated above the rest of the pan, meaning not everything will drain that way. I always worry about the clearance issue when putting in a drain plug.

[Phantom]

A quality filter should be made of a dense fiber material , any high quality brand should have good filter , try to steer clear of Fram , but WIX , Hastings , Purolator and another that I can't recall the name of who actually makes the oem filters , I'll have to look it up, a deep pan is taller than stock pan and often a thicker metal , deep pans are about 2in deeper than a stock pan , maybe more

I came across this that may help
This is a quote from this link below that has pics of deep pan

"This guide covers a fluid and filter change on a ‘99 Silverado with the 4L60E deep pan transmission. The deep pans have a portion of the pan that hangs down lower, making in deeper"

http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/how- ... nsmission/

This company makes filters for many companies including OEM , if you don't buy directly from them you not likely to see there name on box unless it is in small print somewhere, I have used the tech line and talked with a knowledgeable guy .
http://www.spxfiltran.com/products/auto_OE.asp

[tex star detail]

Not sure how deep the shallow pan is, but the deep pan is about 2 7/8" deep. Also, the difference from the two pans is the shallow pan is flat and the deep pan is "stepped". Like it has a step down.

[Philly758]

Here is a picture of my pan (messy at the time). This is the stepped deep pan that tex star is talking about.

Also, after I tracked down the part number I bought my Wix filter through Summit Racing on eBay. I got it for cheaper than I found it anywhere else with free shipping.

[paintdrying]

Phantom, thanks for the links and info. Good stuff. Looking like I have a deep pan. Ebay? I should have looked there. Still trying to figure the ebay thing out. I have to take a trip up to Ohio, might stop in and see Summit racing

[Gary]

Jegs is also in Ohio.

[AK1]

Not sure how deep the shallow pan is, but the deep pan is about 2 7/8" deep. Also, the difference from the two pans is the shallow pan is flat and the deep pan is "stepped". Like it has a step down.

I'm going to pull my pan and change the solenoids tomorrow, I've noticed a little rough shifting. I have a 2000 RWD with the step, too.