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

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:09 am

Phadeout wrote:

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

check the tires too. when I bought my '03 with the 45rfe it had 51k on it and the original wranglers on it...it also pulled to one side. had new tires put on it, no alignment and it drove straight as an arrow!

i wouldn't worry about the tranny taking long to engage from neutral. the 45rfe is a variable line pressure transmission and I think that is why it is slow to engage. mine as always done it, and if you listen carefully, you will probably hear a clicking noise that coincides with the tranny going into gear. you'll also notice it when coming to a stop. I was worried about the noise at first, but 35K later, new filters, fluid and a shift kit, it still acts and sounds the same as day one....just my $0.02

kjfishman · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:05 am

Phadeout wrote:

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.

it's normal

Phadeout · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:20 am

thanx guys, you've all been a great help.

The ABS and 45RFE tranny (and thank god for 6 ways seats) have led me to try and get a deal on the '03 before I worry about the '04.

thanx

kjfishman · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:27 pm

the 45RFE is rock solid behind the V6, now the jury is still out on how it will hold up behind the CRD.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:36 pm

Hang on a second here... I thought only the 42RLE rolled back on hills and the 45RFE did NOT?

Phadeout · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:46 am

Marlon_JBT wrote:

Hang on a second here... I thought only the 42RLE rolled back on hills and the 45RFE did NOT?

Anyone able to confirm this?

Today I am the owner of an '03 Renegade with 82,000 Kilometers (50k?) on it, all Cactus Green with matching rims, white interior, all the options except the tow package... and don't forget the 45RFE tranny - It was built September 2002 which is why I guess it has the 45 in it??? Also, it's part of my sale terms that they Repair the pulling of the jeep to the right (whether it's alignment, tires, tie-rod, whatever...). Cheers.

Guest · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:56 am

my 02 with a 45RFE and almost 84k miles on it doesn't roll back facing uphill unless i've got a fairly heavy trailer behind me

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:03 am

Marlon_JBT wrote:

Hang on a second here... I thought only the 42RLE rolled back on hills and the 45RFE did NOT?

mine only rolls back on steep grades, 95% of the time it does not roll back...mine is the 45rfe, it's an '03 built in october of '02

Phadeout · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:50 pm

Well,

I think other than Exhaust, and maybe the intake, the Tranny is the first thing to get modded.

In the summer I plan to get the Tranny dropped, new TC, shift kit, and have them take a look at the bands and such. I want it to be a rock.

Though maybe I should just wait for the Warranty to run out, it does have Roadside Assistance on the warranty.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 4:08 pm

The fact that the Jeep rolls back on a hill has NOTHING to do with the tranny. The torque converter controls that.

Phadeout · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:19 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

The fact that the Jeep rolls back on a hill has NOTHING to do with the tranny. The torque converter controls that.

That's what I figured. Wonder if I change out to a good APS torque converter if that will make the roll back thing completely disappear... wouldn't surprise me.

Maybe I'll find out in a few months.

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

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