Automatic Tranny - Is It Really That Bad?

MacAttack · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:12 pm

I was just reading all over the internet about the automatic tranny found in post 2003 Libertys (42RLE), and all I can find is complaints.
Is it really that bad of a transmission?

I was just looking around because I don't like my manual tranny that much, even though everyone else completely loves it, and I thought maybe I would switch in a year or two.

But after reading the comments about the auto, I think I better just stick with what I have.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:18 pm

Well I don't think it's that bad of a tranny,though I'm glad I don't have it.I know on some runs here in CO some of the guy's with the 42 have had to stop for awhile to let there tranny cool off since the temp light came on(they had the HD cooling to).Never had a issue with the 45RFE yet but then again I got a tranny cooler rated for 26,000lbs gvwr.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:30 am

I think it is fine. I wheel in CO as well, and have never had an overheating issue.

MacAttack · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:20 am

BVCRD wrote:

I think it is fine. I wheel in CO as well, and have never had an overheating issue.

You have the CRD though. I think that has a different and better tranny than the gas version from what I've read.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:46 am

MacAttack wrote:

BVCRD wrote:

I think it is fine. I wheel in CO as well, and have never had an overheating issue.

You have the CRD though. I think that has a different and better tranny than the gas version from what I've read.

Its the 45rfe..

I have the 42rle and Ive never had any problems out of it offroad. Ive been offroading in 90-95F weather and we were crawling on rocks.

The only thing I dont like about it is the shift points. Im hoping to get my computer reprogrammed someday by B&G Chrysler.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:02 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

MacAttack wrote:

BVCRD wrote:

I think it is fine. I wheel in CO as well, and have never had an overheating issue.

You have the CRD though. I think that has a different and better tranny than the gas version from what I've read.

Its the 45rfe..

I have the 42rle and Ive never had any problems out of it offroad. Ive been offroading in 90-95F weather and we were crawling on rocks.

The only thing I dont like about it is the shift points. Im hoping to get my computer reprogrammed someday by B&G Chrysler.

The CRD's have the 545RFE 5-speed auto tranny.

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

I have the 42RLE and never had a problem. Been wheeling in Colorado plenty of times all they way up to 13,000 feet. Just make sure to use 4-low whenever you are doing any low speed climbing and it won't overheat.

Same 42RLE in my Grand Cherokee with 150K and still going strong. It's also done its far share of towing at high elevation.

Mango~Ridge · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:08 pm

Never had a problem out of my RLE. The new JK auto comes with the 42RLE, It must be the improved model, I hope.
http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/jeep ... /specs.asp

OzLtd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:45 pm

I've got the 545RFE in my 2005 CRD and till now (11,500klms) i've never had an issue with it.
I did a 300+Mile round trip yesterday, up a mountain pass the whole lot and coming back home, it started to vibrate through the whole car at 80Kph :evil:

It was definately not the tailshaft, i'm thinking it was the TC having a bit of a moment trying to lock up, then unlock ect.

I'm going to do some more investigation today, turn the tailshaft around to see if that has any effect then take it into the dealership to see what they're opinion is. I'm definately going to let them know under no circumstances is my car to be de tuned in power. :evil:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:52 pm

On the internet it's easy to find people that want to complain about things - but it is very hard to find good reviews of anything. Not just the transmission but all thigs in general.

I have the 45 Transmission but I have never had a problem with it. I pull my broken down car around, my sail boat and throw in a little 6x12 trailer and still nothing has ever gone wrong.

MacAttack · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:55 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

On the internet it's easy to find people that want to complain about things - but it is very hard to find good reviews of anything. Not just the transmission but all thigs in general.

I have the 45 Transmission but I have never had a problem with it. I pull my broken down car around, my sail boat and throw in a little 6x12 trailer and still nothing has ever gone wrong.

You have a 2002 though. That's supposed to have a very good transmission. 2003's and later got what is supposed to be a crappy transmission at least according to almost everything I've read on the internet. It was originally the transmission in a minivan and was modified for rear-wheel vehicles.

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

MacAttack wrote:

2003's and later got what is supposed to be a crappy transmission

Maybe it's supposed to be, but it isn't. I have this transmission and it's a good 'un. I agree with an earlier post: it is way easier to find griping on the Internet than it is to find compliments. I do some of it my own self from time to time... :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:18 pm

MacAttack wrote:

sleeve84028 wrote:

On the internet it's easy to find people that want to complain about things - but it is very hard to find good reviews of anything. Not just the transmission but all thigs in general.

I have the 45 Transmission but I have never had a problem with it. I pull my broken down car around, my sail boat and throw in a little 6x12 trailer and still nothing has ever gone wrong.

You have a 2002 though. That's supposed to have a very good transmission. 2003's and later got what is supposed to be a crappy transmission at least according to almost everything I've read on the internet. It was originally the transmission in a minivan and was modified for rear-wheel vehicles.

There is nothing wrong with the 42rle. It does shift at weird times and I must say Im excited to get a shift kick put in it, but overall it seems to be a good tranny.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Both the 42RLE and 45RFE are good, reliable transmissions. Some people, such as myself, don't like the performance of them with their stock torque converters. The long time to lock up, and shifting issues are taken care of by upgrading the torque converter, a shift kit, and flashing the PCM. Stock, everything is set up for smooth, slow shifts and take offs.

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:13 pm

it shifts like poo, acts retarded like most automatics (especially Chrylser ones), But i haven't had any problems with it, but with only 51K on it i wouldn't expect any. If i did have problems i would probably return the entire vehicle to chrysler via their front door in auburn hills.

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

MacAttack wrote:

sleeve84028 wrote:

On the internet it's easy to find people that want to complain about things - but it is very hard to find good reviews of anything. Not just the transmission but all thigs in general.

I have the 45 Transmission but I have never had a problem with it. I pull my broken down car around, my sail boat and throw in a little 6x12 trailer and still nothing has ever gone wrong.

You have a 2002 though. That's supposed to have a very good transmission. 2003's and later got what is supposed to be a crappy transmission at least according to almost everything I've read on the internet. It was originally the transmission in a minivan and was modified for rear-wheel vehicles.

The 2002s have the 45RFE and the 2003+ have the 42RLE. The 45RLE is a heavier duty trans, but that dosen't mean the 42RLE can't handle the job.

The 42RLE has been around for quite a while. Used in the older Grand Cherokees, late model TJs, and the new JK, along with the KJ. Alot of people complain about the shift patterns and the low speed coupling of the torque converter, but that is the way they where designed. Even the later model 45RFEs w/ the 4.7 still have some of the associated quirks that people scrutized the 42RLE for. There are plenty of people that have well over 100k on them with heavy use they still work fine.

Like I said before 50K on my KJ with the 42RLE and no problems and 150K on my ZJ with the 42RLE and no problems either. JeepJeepster has over a 160K on his ZJ with the 42RLE. Can't be that bad of trans if has been used for over 10 years in multiple vehicles, plenty with high-mileage on the original trans.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:48 am

The 42LE according to a reputable mechanic who builds and rebuilds transmissions says it’s a good transmission. :wink:

Naturally, he recommends the Shift Kit which I am installing next week.

A new torque converter is recommend for those who want serious power, serious offloading, and other serious abuse. :wink:

KYLIBERTY who posted on this thread and also on my “SHIFT KIT” thread has mentioned many of the benefits. Even though he has the 42RLE, he still can provide some awesome feedback. There is no reason why the 42LE wont take you down the road for 200,000 miles.

I’d recommend AMSOIL Synthetic, a larger transmission pan, and maybe a trany cooler to help reduce temperatures. After all, HEAT is what literally burns up a transmission. :shock:

As mentioned on my “SHIFT KIT” thread, in some facets, the 42LE is better designed compared to the older 42RLE thus reducing the need for shift kit parts.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:58 am

I've got a 42RLE with 70K on it and haven't had any problems wheeling in the summer here in AZ.

rescu2000 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 6:32 pm

I have the 42rle and it burned up at 37,000 miles with no real heavy abuse or heavy offroading at that stage of it's life. Only light towin (like 2 or 3 times with a small uHaul trailer). Luckily it was still under warranty and didn't cost me anything to have it rebuilt by the dealer. (note I did have the lift kit and some larger tires on it at the time). They said that a valve got stuck inside and burned the tranny up. I'm sure you will find one or two cases like this with ANY tranny.

Sorry for reviving such an old thread. but it came up in a search and I felt that this info was pretty relevant and probably sought after.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon May 17, 2010 6:40 pm

I had a vehicle with a 42RLE in it that was similar weight of the KJs that didn't crap out until 270k miles

some of the early 03's have 45RFE's as well, haven't had a problem with my 45 yet but the 45, like the 42 is susceptible to the same things any auto is if you don't service it like you should

Automatic Tranny - Is It Really That Bad?

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