RFE??RLE??

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:26 pm

snowsport wrote:

Confusion continues...according to the build sheet, I have the 42RLE, but the photos above make me think it's wrong (again) Is the build sheet just whacked? It told me I have 4.10 gears, but I don't. Anyhow, here's some shots of my KJs engine bay. Is this the setup for a 42RLE or a 45RFE?

You have the 45RFE.

meh_kick · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:29 pm

1300ZUK wrote:

Skid plates, you say it like mine has them. :lol:

heheh. Doesn't everybody? Oh wait, "nobody in Michigan wheels a Liberty."

:lol:

loosvelt · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:59 pm

So does the 42RLE decrease the wheeling capability of the KJ, or does it just break down/overheat quicker?

DryBones · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:14 pm

nobody wheels in Alexandria except when it snow! :lol:

Tires are on and the wife is happy, thanks again.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:04 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

Confusion continues...according to the build sheet, I have the 42RLE, but the photos above make me think it's wrong (again) Is the build sheet just whacked? It told me I have 4.10 gears, but I don't. Anyhow, here's some shots of my KJs engine bay. Is this the setup for a 42RLE or a 45RFE?

You have the 45RFE.

Then how do you explain mine with the 3 plugs and a 42RLE

jason thompson · **Posted:** Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:44 pm

1300ZUK wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

Confusion continues...according to the build sheet, I have the 42RLE, but the photos above make me think it's wrong (again) Is the build sheet just whacked? It told me I have 4.10 gears, but I don't. Anyhow, here's some shots of my KJs engine bay. Is this the setup for a 42RLE or a 45RFE?

You have the 45RFE.

Then how do you explain mine with the 3 plugs and a 42RLE

do you have a TCM on the passenger fender?
it is required to control the FE or fully electronic portion of the 45RFE
as Darby posted

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:30 am

1300ZUK wrote:

and the Transmissions are visibly different, they have different Pan shapes, and the 45RFE should have an external Filter on it it and the pan as a little turn on it, where as the 42RLE is pretty much rectangular

the spin-on filter is inside the pan, not external

snowsport, I've seen 100k mile 45RFE's go for $200-300, usually out of someting like a Durango being parted out. the transmission itself, then the harness/ECM for an '02 3.7 KJ and I'd imagine you'd be in business. All the wiring diagrams are out there (if you need them) for the '02s, so there's no reason not to do it. I bet it could be done for under a grand.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

loosvelt wrote:

So does the 42RLE decrease the wheeling capability of the KJ, or does it just break down/overheat quicker?

Neither really. Just need to know what to expect. Use 4-low almost anytime you are moving slow and don't be afraid to downshift or lock the overdrive out when climbing steep hills on the road. That will minimize torque converter slip and it will not overheat. 90% of the overheating problems with the 42RLE can be fixed by simply downshifting earlier. The computer should do a better job of downshift when it is need, but it doesn't.

I have never had my trans-temp light come on and I've wheeled up to 13,000 feet; driven past 14,000 feet, and even towed a 2,000lbs+ trailer past 10,000 feet plenty of times.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:07 am

Doesen't matter...the front D30A diff will act as a "fuse" and blow before your tranny :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:09 am

1300ZUK wrote:

Then how do you explain mine with the 3 plugs and a 42RLE

Looks to me like you have the 45rfe tranny. Your crossmember is bent towards the rear. The cross-member with the 42rle goes straight across.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I'm not so sure now. I have been looking through the 03 FSM and it has pics of both trannys.
The 42RLE has distinctive pressure taps on the lower drivers side as in this pic:

they are visible in 1300ZUKs third photo. This is also what my tranny looks like.

The 45RFE looks quite different on that side:

Maybe there was a transition in 03 when they kept the separate TCM on the passenger's side even after they started using the 42RLEs?

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:02 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

1300ZUK wrote:

Then how do you explain mine with the 3 plugs and a 42RLE

Looks to me like you have the 45rfe tranny. Your crossmember is bent towards the rear. The cross-member with the 42rle goes straight across.

then explain the 13 bolt holes, and the block bolted on the back half of the trans for overdrive, and the fact that all transmission work that has been done on it, always lists it as a 42RLE

when i leave later today, i'll stop buy a dealer ship and start looking at it, I have a feeling that there is gray area, that you can only tell by looking at the trans.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:05 pm

jason thompson wrote:

1300ZUK wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

snowsport wrote:

Confusion continues...according to the build sheet, I have the 42RLE, but the photos above make me think it's wrong (again) Is the build sheet just whacked? It told me I have 4.10 gears, but I don't. Anyhow, here's some shots of my KJs engine bay. Is this the setup for a 42RLE or a 45RFE?

You have the 45RFE.

Then how do you explain mine with the 3 plugs and a 42RLE

do you have a TCM on the passenger fender?
it is required to control the FE or fully electronic portion of the 45RFE
as Darby posted

yes its there.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:08 pm

snowsport wrote:

I'm not so sure now. I have been looking through the 03 FSM and it has pics of both trannys.
The 42RLE has distinctive pressure taps on the lower drivers side as in this pic:
[/img]

Maybe there was a transition in 03 when they kept the separate TCM on the passenger's side even after they started using the 42RLEs?

Maybe it means we can swap to the 45RFE pretty Easily
:lol:

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:04 pm

Okay i stopped at the dealer and wandered the used lot

Some 03's have the 45RFE, some have the 42RLE (nothing new here), couldn't pop the hoods because they were locked. And the 03's with the 42RLE are just like mine, they use a different rear mount to use with the rearward bent crossmember. 04's for the most part have the straight crossmember and have a different trans mount.

CRD's have the straight mount with their trans, which is pretty much identical looking to a 45RFE.

conclusion:

if you have an 03, the underhood plugs tell you nothing.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:44 pm

I have a head ache! :lol:

Terry

Hood297 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:13 pm

1300ZUK wrote:

Okay i stopped at the dealer and wandered the used lot

Some 03's have the 45RFE, some have the 42RLE (nothing new here), couldn't pop the hoods because they were locked. And the 03's with the 42RLE are just like mine, they use a different rear mount to use with the rearward bent crossmember. 04's for the most part have the straight crossmember and have a different trans mount.

CRD's have the straight mount with their trans, which is pretty much identical looking to a 45RFE.

conclusion:

if you have an 03, the underhood plugs tell you nothing.

He's right. I've got an 03 and have the TCM seperate on the passenger side and have the 13-bolt tranny pan.

Maximum Carnage · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:59 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

"mini van" tranny(the 42RLE).

HA! HA!

k99jk99j · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:11 am

minivan is were it gots its origins. the torque rating (on 42rle) which is what the 2 means, it has stonger clutches, planetaries, and other internals. so far it has proved much more reliable than the 41te. also the 42le (concord and a few other front drive cars) had minimal problems also. mike

Pote · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:04 pm

i just looked under my 03 sport. I have the separate TCM on the passenger side as well. I looked under the driver side at the tranny and right on the driver side I have a big sticker that reads RFE (just like the diagram above - same placement)...along with having the 15 bolt pattern on the rectangular case, and bent crossmember...but the sticker is right in your face if its still stuck to the side of the case. just a heads up...

RFE??RLE??

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