545FRE vs 462FRE

modelaford · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:10 am

I apologize if this one has been discussed before, but over on Edmonds there has been some talk about the 462FRE tranny that several folks have in their CRDs. Does anyone know what the difference is between the 545 and the 462? Is it as simple as a different mounting for the CRD or does it run deeper then that?

Just Curious,
Paul

retmil46 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:28 am

Huh? AFAIK, the only auto tranny that has been put in U.S. market CRD's has been the 545RFE, both '05 and '06.

They could be talking about the manual six speed tranny in the gassers, or a different model auto in export versions.

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:12 pm

retmil46 wrote:

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

Too bad those are not rumors. The 6 Speed Automatic does indeed exist, and it's already going into vehicles as we speak!

What the heck is a 462FRE? I've heard of...

62TE (One of the 6 speed autos)
62RLE (another one)
45RFE/545RFE (Behind the 2.8L and 3.7L for 2002 and some of 2003)
42RLE (Behind the 3.7L for late 2003 - Current in the Liberty, In use in the LX Cars, and Wrangler)

modelaford · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:30 pm

Marlon_JBT wrote:

retmil46 wrote:

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

Too bad those are not rumors. The 6 Speed Automatic does indeed exist, and it's already going into vehicles as we speak!

What the heck is a 462FRE? I've heard of...

62TE (One of the 6 speed autos)
62RLE (another one)
45RFE/545RFE (Behind the 2.8L and 3.7L for 2002 and some of 2003)
42RLE (Behind the 3.7L for late 2003 - Current in the Liberty, In use in the LX Cars, and Wrangler)

Same here, that's why I was very confused when the discussion came up over there. Figured someone here might know more, or at least be able to say that someone was smoking something.

Paul

retmil46 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 12:45 pm

modelaford wrote:

Marlon_JBT wrote:

retmil46 wrote:

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

Too bad those are not rumors. The 6 Speed Automatic does indeed exist, and it's already going into vehicles as we speak!

What the heck is a 462FRE? I've heard of...

62TE (One of the 6 speed autos)
62RLE (another one)
45RFE/545RFE (Behind the 2.8L and 3.7L for 2002 and some of 2003)
42RLE (Behind the 3.7L for late 2003 - Current in the Liberty, In use in the LX Cars, and Wrangler)

Same here, that's why I was very confused when the discussion came up over there. Figured someone here might know more, or at least be able to say that someone was smoking something.

Paul

I'd say it's the latter (smoking), or they just totally bumfuzzled the manufacturer code for whatever tranny they were talking about.

alljeep · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:06 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Huh? AFAIK, the only auto tranny that has been put in U.S. market CRD's has been the 545RFE, both '05 and '06.

They could be talking about the manual six speed tranny in the gassers, or a different model auto in export versions.

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

If you look on the actual sticker on the side of the transmission, it says "462RFE" on mine and both of my friends here in Indy that have them. That's two '05 CRDs and one '06 CRD.

You all should get under and take a look (if you sticker has not fallen off yet due to rain/debris whatever). For all I know, that designation just means "goes into Jeep CRD" instead of "goes into Dodge Hemi" but it's there.

modelaford · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 1:21 pm

alljeep wrote:

retmil46 wrote:

Huh? AFAIK, the only auto tranny that has been put in U.S. market CRD's has been the 545RFE, both '05 and '06.

They could be talking about the manual six speed tranny in the gassers, or a different model auto in export versions.

There is word on allpar.com about a new six speed auto Chrysler is developing, but that's being slated for trucks and minivans, taken with a large grain of salt considering the rumor mill allpar is.

If you look on the actual sticker on the side of the transmission, it says "462RFE" on mine and both of my friends here in Indy that have them. That's two '05 CRDs and one '06 CRD.

You all should get under and take a look (if you sticker has not fallen off yet due to rain/debris whatever). For all I know, that designation just means "goes into Jeep CRD" instead of "goes into Dodge Hemi" but it's there.

Just crawled under mine at lunch, and yup, mine too 462RFE.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:36 pm

Mine is also the 462RFE

If my memory serves me correctly the 2nd number refers to the strength. For Instance:

62TE is in the Chrysler Sebring (also the Mercedes transaxle)...only requires a "strength number" of 2...the TE would stand for Transaxle Electronic I believe

42RFE would be the second tranny in the KJs...with a "strength number" of 2 and RearWheelDrive Fully Electronic

545RFE is the older KJs with a "strength number" of 4 and RearWheelDrive Fully Electronic

46RE the 5.9L Grands with a "strength number" of 6 Rear Electronic ***(345 foot ponds of torque)***

46RH the 5.2L Grands with a "strength number" of 6 Rear Hydraulic

68RFE New Dodge Cummins coming soon with a "strength number" of 8

Postulating from the above trends the

462RFE would be a "strength number" of 6 with 4 forward and 2 overdrive RearWheelDrive Fully Electronic

Sounds like we got a stronger tranny than the 545 with the 462...Probably derived from the 46RE of the 5.9L (torque monster) and added the two overdrives and Fully Electronic

*****all just an educated guess*****

jeep06 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:44 pm

I can't figure out why they are coming out with yet another new tranny, 6 speed no less, when they can't even make the ones they have now work properly!! I now know why I have always bought manual trannys behind all my cummins that I have owned, because their auto's really stink. The way I see it the only auto they ever made that you could call reliable was the '727', now that was bullet proof! But hey you have to have 5 speeds now with an overdrive thrown in there for good measure, just so you can get up to highway speeds......haha. Well enough crying for now,,,,haha, just get worked up everytime I feel my $30k jeep herking and jerking as it trys to make it through all the gears. Sure hope I don't snap and go trade it on the pretty Jeep rubicon unlimited (6-speed) that has been calling me for weeks now,,, guess the BIG loss trading mine in is the only thing stopping me.

:(

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

My 05 CRD also has the 462RFE sticker on it... but its a still a 545RFE with a different sticker. I've compared the 45RFE in my 02 to the 462RFE on the CRD and they are identical in every outside shape and other aspect. Probably the tc and maybe some clutches are upgraded for higher strength, but apparently not high enough.
If you count the alternate 2nd gear ratio, we have a 6 speed tranny now, just can't use all six speeds on shift up from a dead stop. With 3 planetaries, this thing can probably be electronically upgraded to at least a true 6 speed, plus the 2nd prime gear.

545RFE
1st 3.00
2nd 1.67 upshift
2nd ' 1.50 downshift only
3rd 1.00
4th .75
5th .67
Rev 3.00

45RFE
1st 3.00
2nd 1.67 upshift
2nd ' 1.50 downshift only
3rd 1.00
4th .75
Rev 3.00

BCool · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:54 pm

I have the 462 as well. Interesting

Bovie · **Posted:** Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:52 pm

I haven't looked under my 06 limited but I wondered my my window sticker only said 5 speed automatic and the 2 sports on the lot said 545rfe 5 speed automatic.

BCool · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:08 am

Maybe the limited got the 462 and the sport the 545.

RFCRD · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:16 am

BCool wrote:

Maybe the limited got the 462 and the sport the 545.

Nope, mine is an 05 Sport with a 462 sticker, built 6/05.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:19 am

If you check the Jeep website, it still only lists the 545RFE as going into the CRD's.

That sticker could be for several different things, might be something as simple as a factory coding sticker for which type vehicle it goes in, or even which storage area they're supposed to be stocked in.

Or, it could be internal DC coding for a 545RFE with upgraded internals for the CRD, ie, torque converter, valve body, different programming in the TCM - in other words, it's still a 545RFE tranny that doesn't have enough differences to warrant listing it as a new type tranny, but enough diesel-specific changes that you want to make sure some yahoo at the assembly plant doesn't just yank one off the shelf and stick it in behind a V6, or vice-versa stick one meant for a gasser in behind a diesel.

Could also be the coding sticker for trannys meant for 4X4 vehicles or a specific type of 4X4 system. Might even be the coding sticker for the 4X4 system itself.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:03 am

Here's what I've read. The difference between the two is totally the firmware for a 4 or 5 speed. CRD's come with a 545RFE 5 speed transmission. I understand the GC's have the 4 speed version and it's a simple matter of a flash for it to become a 5 speed. That said I also read that our tranny's have the enough internal parts to become a 6 speed but it did not say if it was just a flash?

oldnavy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:31 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

Here's what I've read. The difference between the two is totally the firmware for a 4 or 5 speed. CRD's come with a 545RFE 5 speed transmission. I understand the GC's have the 4 speed version and it's a simple matter of a flash for it to become a 5 speed. That said I also read that our tranny's have the enough internal parts to become a 6 speed but it did not say if it was just a flash?

The 545RLE is NOT a tranny that with a flash can be made a sixt speed, not enough gears inside, the MB W5A tranny that is used in the Hemi GC is a six speed tranny with correct software and has 6 forward gears. The CRD doesn't have but 5 gears and that is 2 second gears, one used for the up shift and a different 2 gear used for down shifting for smoother down shifts. The W5A582 sometimes refered to as NAG-1 is a true 6 speed tranny if I remember correctly when used with proper electronic's available only in Europe, the tranny is rated to 650 lbs of torque for those interested and seldom ever fails and is used behind the 400+ lbs of torque Chrysler & MB V-8 engines.

alljeep · **Posted:** Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:34 am

This showed up on the other forum and I felt it worthy to repost it here:

I have the answer to the 462 on the side of the CRD transmission. This number 462 is a factory code number for the 545 RFE. The only reason the number 462 is on there is just the code # at the factory. This was amazing to me. I have had two dealers make up things that could not have been farther from the truth. What's wrong that people can't say "I don't know"?
This information came from Dan at Yark Chrysler Jeep in Toledo, Ohio. He has been in the VM Motori plant and has been involved with DCX in what they were hoping would be the CRD for 2007. According to Dan, there is a tsb that calls for the circular filter to be replaced as well as the bottom filter, that was for 2005' only. The problem with this early built CRD's transmissions is a rattle noise in the pump. Should this go very long it makes toast of the tc and other problems. Also the transmission cooler is connected to the AC (I dont know how) and if the cooler line get plugged that's all she wrote.
Dan said the biggest problem with the EGR going bad and repeating to go out is the TEC's are not replacing the PCM when they go out! The PCM is the reason these EGR's go out, especially the early build 2005 CRD. The PCM controls the EGR and that's the sourse of the EGR problems. The repeated changes comes back to an unchanged PCM.
The reason the diesel was dropped is the fact the Liberty is a "Light Utility Vehicle", and the emission requirements for a LUV are even more strict than the regular truck. However there is a problem even with the 2007 Dodge Ram. The 6.9 has the same power as the old 5.7 diesel but fuel consumption is much more than to 2006 Cummins.
According to Dan that any diesel pump that goes bad goes to DCX and if the barrings are scored they know Bio fuel higher than B-5 was used and it will not be covered under Warranty. These pumps are $2,075. + labor! and there have been enough pumps returned that this in effect now. DCX does nor encourage the use of any Bio fuel. They do come from the factory with B-5 only as apolitical effort in Ohio for the farm state. The big thing is to change the water separator filter to prevent water getting to the pump.
Dan stated the main thing with the 545 RFE is changing the Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. These transmissions are very strong, reliable, and will last a very long time. He has one that has 200,000 and runs well.
The only engine to get a MB transmission is the 300 6.1 Hemi and one other but I did not write it down.
Dan said these engine are tough and DCX has used these engines for more than 10 years, failure rate is almost unheard of due to basic block and head. There are some, but often relate to other issues. There is no reason these engine can not endure to 200,000 miles or more.
The GC diesel will go into production Jan 15,07 and is the MB 3.0V-6 turbo diesel Bluetec. The power is less (I did not get less than what?) But a proven engine with more emissions than before.
I hope this helps, and solves a few questions.

Farout

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Aug 10, 2006 9:57 am

Well, Mechanic Dan may know more than me (very likely does) but he doesn't seem to know that '06's were covered by the transmission filter TSB which makes me start to wonder about anything he says.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:16 am

That sounds like a reasonable answer on the 462 sticker, matter of fact I suggested it earlier. Working at Freightliner, the engines and trannys have all kinds of internal routing stickers for factory p/n's, programming mods, etc on them, that don't have anything to do with what type of engine or tranny it is.

A lot of the rest of that post from Edmunds (I recognize the user name at the end) sounds like a lot of half-understood BS however.

Change out the PCM? We have an ECM and TCM on the CRD. PCM's are on gassers. As far as "changing out", I take it he misunderstood that the ECM has to be reprogrammed/reflashed, which is part of the TSB for EGR replacement.

The part about DC being able to examine the bearings in a failed fuel pump and "know" that someone had been running higher than B5 really has me throwing the BS flag.

545FRE vs 462FRE

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