Help: Buing a 03 /w 45RFE or 04 /w 42RLE

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:42 pm

Ok,

I have to make this quick and need all the info you guys can give me quick... I'm buying either an '03 Renegade with 45RFE (50K miles on it) or an '04 Renegade with the 42RLE (20K miles on it). The 03 is loaded, the 04 is not. The only reasons I have for buying one over the other is:

The 45RFE vs. the 42RLE, and the one with the 45RFE also has ABS brakes (vs. the '04 which does not).

I know that the 45 is a truck tranny, and supports mods better, the 42 is a car tranny and shifts like junk without a shift Kit.

But which would be better for me (reliability!). I read this thread on the 45 and it makes me leary...
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... rfe#190844

Thanks guys! Buying one Tomorrow, so throw out all you can, give me links to read, etc.

Thanx again.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:49 pm

Sounds like the 03 is a nicer KJ overall. I am guessing the 03 is an early production model as they did switch to the 42 in 03.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:55 pm

Do yourself a favor and get a 5-speed! :roll:

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:00 pm

The 42RLE tranny is weak and I've had it overheat just driving up a steep dirt road. There are also a lot more options for the 45RFE.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:32 pm

KW AV8R wrote:

The 42RLE tranny is weak and I've had it overheat just driving up a steep dirt road. There are also a lot more options for the 45RFE.

Yeah,what he said

!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:35 pm

42rle seems to be a good tranny. Many lost members offroad with them and have zero problems. Usually its drvier error that causes problems.

Edit: The 42rle is also used in all the wranglers and wrangler Rubicons.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:07 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

42rle seems to be a good tranny. Many lost members offroad with them and have zero problems. Usually its drvier error that causes problems.

I totaly agree.....Let me drive and I can tear either one of these transmissions up.

Ron

myjeepwalks · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:19 pm

LiLredLibby wrote:

Jeepjeepster wrote:

42rle seems to be a good tranny. Many lost members offroad with them and have zero problems. Usually its drvier error that causes problems.

I totaly agree.....Let me drive and I can tear either one of these transmissions up.

Ron

I second that! I can destroy anything i touch although my 45rfe is holding up well with 84k miles on it. I try not to beat it though. :lol:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:34 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Sounds like the 03 is a nicer KJ overall. I am guessing the 03 is an early production model as they did switch to the 42 in 03.

My thoughts exactly... Get the vehicle with the better options and gizmos so that you can enjoy the Liberty for a long, long time. Plus if it comes with the 45, you might get the taller springs too.

:twisted:

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:36 pm

Ok,

Test drove the 45RFE a bunch more. Noticed a couple things:

We had it on a hill (20 degree incline), in "D" after coming to a full complete stop, it rolled backwards while in gear and kept rolling. We tried this a whole bunch of times, and half the time it would do this (like it didn't engage the gears completely). Sometimes it would hold, other times it would go roll back.

Bad thing, or is that normal for any tranny?

I also find sometimes it "slow" to engage (totally random, just once in a while from a stop light, it seems it doesn't engage immediately if going from "N" to "D" then touching the gas). Maybe it's just programmed that way. One time it seemed to almost stall the vehicle (put it in D from N and it bogged, like it wasn't getting gas for about 1/2 second).

thanx for the input... please try to keep it useful.

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:51 pm

Oh, one more thing,

we found that the '03 with the 45RFE tended to drift to the Right really really bad. It had the lower ball joints replaced, but maybe it didn't have an alignment? The tire pressure was all set before I hit the road, so it's not that.

Anything to be concerned about? Just the alignment?

thanx

renegadekj · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:52 pm

Yeah i find my tranny kinda " slow" as well. Mine i think is crying for some new tranny fluid though.(61,000kms and no change) next on my list! :roll:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:20 pm

Mine never rolls backwards. It creeps forward on a flat surface rather well.

You probabaly don't need to be putting the transmission in neutral at the stop lights - that is too much shifting

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:11 pm

sleeve84028 wrote:

Mine never rolls backwards. It creeps forward on a flat surface rather well.

You probabaly don't need to be putting the transmission in neutral at the stop lights - that is too much shifting

Well, the 45 in this one creeps forward just fine too. Was surprised to see it roll back on a hill though.... though I've never tried that with any other tranny and it did fully go in to gear once you touched the gas (and like I said, it didn't aways do this).

Checked the fluid from the dipstick, and it looks pretty brown. Prolly needs a fluid and filter change.

I think the only thing I'm worried about is the fact that it pulls to the right really bad... Otherwise I'm convinced to go with the '03 45RFE better options, but higher mileage (but the longer warranty helps me feel a little better).

Any ideas on the steering? It will drive you off the road and in the ditch within 15 seconds (which isn't much, look away and you're in the ditch almost).
Any thing I should look for?

renegadekj · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:24 pm

If you are really interested in the 03' and it pulls hard to the right like you said then see if the seller will get a alignment done to see if this corrects the problem. And if the problem persists then maybe you can wheel and deal and get it cheaper and fix the problem. Also check to see if the vehice has been in any accidents if you havent already! If was written off previously it should be indicated on the registration form but this isnt always the case.( just a heads up) Good luck!

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:39 pm

renegadekj wrote:

If you are really interested in the 03' and it pulls hard to the right like you said then see if the seller will get a alignment done to see if this corrects the problem. And if the problem persists then maybe you can wheel and deal and get it cheaper and fix the problem. Also check to see if the vehice has been in any accidents if you havent already! If was written off previously it should be indicated on the registration form but this isnt always the case.( just a heads up) Good luck!

Yeah, I will make it part of the purchase agreement, for them to fix the pull, else I won't buy. They have to fix it (permanently) or there is no sale, if you write it in your agreement...

I just did a Carfax on it, and everything checks out fine.

Phadeout · **Posted:** Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:48 pm

Does anyone know if the tranny would still be under warranty? Is it covered only under the Basic warranty, or is it covered by the Drivetrain warranty (you'd think it's drivetrain...)

From CarFax: (sorry for the spacing)

Basic 36 months or 36,000 miles Coverage expired
Drivetrain 84 months or 70,000 miles 33 months or 47,437 miles
Emissions 24 months or 24,000 miles Coverage expired
Corrosion 60 months or 100,000 miles 9 months or 77,437 miles
Transferable A $100 powertrain deductible applies after the basic warranty coverage period that is transferable. Same
Roadside Assistance 84 months or 70,000 miles 33 months or 47,437 miles
Safety belt & inflatable restraint No data reported to CARFAX
Specific Components 96 months or 80,000 miles 45 months or 57,437 miles

Also, does anyone know what the extra Air Box is infront of the throttle body that the '03 has vs. the '04?

1300ZUK · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:12 am

the transmission should be under the 7/70 thing, but you have to pay to have it transfered i believe

Kniggit · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:58 am

Not the only 45/545 that "rolls back" on hills we have a 04 2500 w/a hemi that does it, that wouldn't bother me.

K

humptyjumped · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 2:21 am

i feel like some kinda jerk, but I have no idea what
tranny I have.....

how do you tell?

Help: Buing a 03 /w 45RFE or 04 /w 42RLE

Who is online