45RFE

brubakes · **Joined:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:14 pm **Posts:** 22

2004 KJ with the 3.7L

What auto transmission would I have? The Chrysler 45RFE?

mag03kj · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:54 pm

I wanna say 04 it will be 42RLE. My 03 is the 42RLE....I wanna say that 02s had the 45RFE.

But dont hold me to that...somebody else will come along.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:44 pm

mag03kj, you are correct.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:57 pm

Yep a '04 will have the 42RLE,only '02 and very early '03 KJ's came with the 45RFE.

brubakes · **Joined:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:14 pm **Posts:** 22

Thanks everyone.

Just wondering, what is the difference between the 42RLE and the 45RFE?

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:41 pm

45RFE was originally designed to be in trucks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_RFE_transmission

42RLE was originally designed as a FWD transmission.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_4 ... ansmission

The 45RFE is supposed to be a stronger transmission. The fact that they used the 45RFE with different programming as the 545RFE for the Liberty CRDs seems to back this claim.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:42 pm

brubakes wrote:

Thanks everyone.

Just wondering, what is the difference between the 42RLE and the 45RFE?

Everything besides they both are a RWD app.

The 42RLE began it's life as the A604(1st minivan trans),has a torque rating of 2 on a 1-10 scal(10 being the highest),has weak(high) 1st(2.84:1) and reverse(2.21:1) gear ratio,and is fully electronic with alomost no aftermarket support.

The 45RFE actually has 5 forward gears(two 2nd gears) and can be programmed for a 2nd OD(545RFE),has a torque rating of 5(1-10 scale),and is limited electronically controlled,lots of aftermarket support,and has a very low 1st(3:1) and reverse(3:1) gear ratio for a auto trans.

brubakes · **Joined:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:14 pm **Posts:** 22

Darn, it would have been nice to have the 45RFE. Thanks for the information everyone.

mag03kj · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:48 am

brubakes wrote:

Darn, it would have been nice to have the 45RFE. Thanks for the information everyone.

Why?
Nothing wrong with the 42. I've trailered a '96 ford ranger with my 42. :SOMBRERO:

Pulled it good too.. :JEEPIN:

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:35 am

I wouldn't worry about it too much as BigC thinks the 42RLE is good enough to be used in Wranglers and Rams.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:26 pm

ihatemybike wrote:

I wouldn't worry about it too much as BigC thinks the 42RLE is good enough to be used in Wranglers and Rams.

Full sized Dodge's never had the 42RLE,neither did the Dakota's or Durango's.Will not hold up behind a V8.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:46 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Full sized Dodge's never had the 42RLE,neither did the Dakota's or Durango's.Will not hold up behind a V8.

Every vehicle you mention does have the 42RLE as an available transmission from 2006 to current when mated to the 3.7L engine. They aren't common, but they are out there.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:55 pm

ihatemybike wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Full sized Dodge's never had the 42RLE,neither did the Dakota's or Durango's.Will not hold up behind a V8.

Every vehicle you mention does have the 42RLE as an available transmission from 2006 to current when mated to the 3.7L engine. They aren't common, but they are out there.

Never seen one,they all use the 45RFE/545RFE or that junk MB 5 speed auto trans.I work on alot of them from '99-'11.Heck the WK's with the 3.7 don't have the 42RLE trans.

gtommec · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:12 pm

According to Wikipedia (which means take it with a grain of salt) This is the list of vehicles that use the 42RLE:

42RLE Applications:

2005–2010 Chrysler 300
2006–2010 Dodge Charger
2004–present Dodge Dakota
2004-2009 Dodge Durango
2005-2008 Dodge Magnum
2007–present Dodge Nitro
2003–present Jeep Liberty
2003–present Jeep Wrangler
2009 Dodge Challenger V6
2003-2008 Dodge Ram

EDIT Allpar confirms this info

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:28 pm

If I'm not certain about something, I tend to research.

I found the 42RLE as an option in the 3.7 equipped Ram 1500, Dakota and Durango on the following sites.
www.Wikipedia.com
www.Car-Part.com
www.RockAuto.com
www.AdvanceAuto.com
www.AutoZone.com
www.MoparPartsAmerica.com

Yeah, I OCD sometimes.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:40 pm

ihatemybike wrote:

If I'm not certain about something, I tend to research.

I found the 42RLE as an option in the 3.7 equipped Ram 1500, Dakota and Durango on the following sites.
http://www.Wikipedia.com
http://www.Car-Part.com
http://www.RockAuto.com
http://www.AdvanceAuto.com
http://www.AutoZone.com
http://www.MoparPartsAmerica.com

Yeah, I OCD sometimes.

Yeah and almost all parts stores do not list the 8.25 rear diff for a '02 KJ,or even the 42RLE trans for '03+ KJ's when ordering a trans filter kit.Then you got many places stating that regular D30 will work in a KJ and the ever so elusive 3.91 gear ratio that always comes up as a option for KJ's.Can't believe all you see on websites and such.

Smetna · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:22 pm

tjkj getting schooled . . . . :POPCORN:

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:01 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

... and the ever so elusive 3.91 gear ratio that always comes up as a option for KJ's.

The 3.91 is listed in so many potential application guides for the KJ because the 2002 FSM actually lists it as an option (in addition to the 4.10, 3.73, and 3.55 ratios) even though as far as I can tell no KJ ever came with that gear and there is not an option of a 3.91 made by Dana/Spicer for the Dana 30a(186FIA).

The 2003+ FSMs make no mention of it. However, because so many application guides are based on the specs for year of introduction, the 3.91 spec has been perpetuated as an option...

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