2012 65rfe

daytona701 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:32 pm **Posts:** 99

i want to install a used low mileage 65rfe into my Liberty. I want to use the truck for towing a 4500# trailer and know it's only a matter of time before the transmission fails. By installing a 65rfe I can get a upgraded torque convertor and transmission for less than rebuilding the existing trans and replacing the torque convertor. I don't know what's electronics are required to make the 65rfe work. Any advice would be appreciated.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 1:11 am

I'm not sure that the transmission can be replaced as you desire, but here is a question for you... What makes you believe that the transmission is on its way out? This transmission is easily capable of far more power than the CRD can ever deliver to it, and the engine and trans can (and have proven they can) tow double the weight you are looking to pull. There are a great deal of people that are using their CRD to pull 5000-7000 lbs and haven't experienced any major issues at all.

So what is happening with your truck? Let us help you save money, it may be that all you need is more fluid and / or a torque converter replacement for far less money than a Suncoast.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:58 am

X2, these are tough trannies. I've pulled 7k up and down donner pass with a stock torque converter, and it was pretty warm out. Even with the engine getting hot, and me chugging at 30 mph, the transmission never got hot. I finally got the transmission hot trouble light to come on with the same load driving about 5 mph up a steep mountain road to my house. I stopped and let it idle for a few mins and it cooled down, still running good to this day. For about $250 you can get a "hemi" TC as long as your transmission has been maintained well anyhow...

I guess you could have one with a leaky pump, or the valving issues (or whatever the other weakness are), but they seem to be rarely reported.

daytona701 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:32 pm **Posts:** 99

Geordie and Mountainman thanks for the reply. First the transmission shudders when shifting between second/third or third/fourth. Feels like the torque convertor is locked up between shifts or a gear is still engaged while the trans is shifting to the next gear. Second when the Jeep is started in the morning it takes a while to get moving after shifting into drive. Third is the torque convertor stall speed when applying throttle the engine revs before the Jeep begins moving. I've considered just replacing the torque convertor but thought that while the trans is out why not add the Transgo kit and then what about the pump. By the time I do that it would be easier and less expensive to install a low mileage later year trans from EBay or sourced local. So far I have changed the timing belt/water pump, split the radiator shroud, replaced the air box with a 3.7, disconnected the maf and vent the crankcase overboard. I have the egr delete kit and steel glow plugs to install. I will need to replace the head bolts with arp studs. I contacted Keith at GDE and inquired about the turbo kit also. I want a bullet proof trans and thought maybe the 65rfe would work. I am eagerly anticipating your responses. That said how difficult or easy would it be to install a 6 speed 65rfe behind the 2.8? My 2007 Cummins has a 6 speed auto with egr delete and a 0 tune. The trans shifts quickly thru the gears under full throttle keeping the engine speed right in the power band. I would want the 2.8 to run the same way without the torque convertor flashing to a high speed but slipping little while the trans rows thru the gears.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:44 pm

Ok... This is the same advice I give to everyone about this transmission and the issues you are describing:

Add 1 quart more fluid and drive again. See if anything changes. If not, add another quart of fluid. The dipstick on these is NOT accurate, as it bottoms in the pan and causes the system to be run low on fluid. There are two holes in the stick above the "hot" mark, this is what I would consider the full mark. This system is enormous, and can easily stand running with some extra juice in it.

The symptoms you are describing sound exactly like a transmission that is low on fluid and incapable of generating the needed hydraulic pressure to lock and unlock the bands and gears. Pressure (fluid) is needed to press against and overcome the springs to allow the planetaries to spin to shift. You aren't feeling the converter being locked, you are feeling the gearsets unable to UN-lock.

Try more juice. Just as an FYI: This transmission and all Mopar transmissions use ATF+4, preferably in a fully-synthetic flavor. Change the fluid and filters every 40-60k miles, depending on if you are towing heavy in hot conditions or not. The trans-hot idiot light is a late notifier.... If that ever comes on, you need to change your fluid again at the earliest possible opportunity - it has been cooked and the usable mileage is now zero.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 5:46 pm

The 65rfe is pretty much the same as your 545rfe. But you will never get six speeds out of it because your TCM is not programmed for 6 speeds.
Tecnically, your 545rfe is a 6 speed with two 2nd gears, but you will never notice it.

The transmission behind the Cummins is a 68rfe and it is a true 6 speed.

Its your call.
Fix up your current transmission or replace it with a used 65rfe and hope it works.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:13 pm

geordi wrote:

This transmission and all Mopar transmissions use ATF+4, preferably in a fully-synthetic flavor. .

If it states "ATF+4" on the bottle is must be full synthetic,only way ATF+4 comes.

daytona701 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:32 pm **Posts:** 99

I will follow your advice tomorrow and report what happens. Thank you Geordi. Bruce.

daytona701 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:32 pm **Posts:** 99

Geordi, I checked the fluid again and it was at the full mark. I added a quart of aft-4 and drove the Liberty on the highway and around town. The gear shifting at low speed is improved. I will add a pint more and drive to see if it gets better. Thank you very much for the advice. Bruce.

thefunk · **Posted:** Tue Sep 15, 2015 12:31 pm

just went through those exact symptoms on mine. Adding fluid didn't help. Installed the Transgo kit, updated the front pump, and installed a TC from Florida torque converters. 1000% improvement. Transmission now feels like a car transmission, not something from a piece of worn out earthmoving equipment. No slip. The only remaining problem was that it was throwing random codes related to shift position sensor, blame that on a bad wiring connection somewhere which they jiggled and fixed. Still need to clean TCM connection, this is a known problem area and seeing all the salt corrosion from the Jeeps' previous life in Colorado makes me suspect that connection is crudalicious.

I don't think that putting in a different transmission is going to gain you the strength you want, and opens a whole other can of nasty worms of computer issues. The 545 is a good trans, it can take lots of power, you just have to save Chrysler from itself and build their transmission the way it should have been from the get-go. The POS torque converter and badly designed valve body are the biggest culprits.

2012 65rfe

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