OK I know some one will have a comment but I don't care
I know that there is a cut off date of like 4/03 for the "good one"
so how can I tell by simply looking at the tranny?
any numbers or special markings I can look for
build date inside the door is 4-03 so now I am wandering
could I have a "last of it's kind"
could this be why I can back up hill with 245/75's and 3.73's
or why I can pull out stuck 6,000# FORKLIFTS in reverse and spin 1 front and 1 rear tire
got me thinking

You could always check your build sheet...

Look on the passenger side inner fender,if there is a computer(TCM) there you have the 45RFE(will only have 3 plugs on the PCM on the inner drivers fender),if no computer on the inner passenger fender(TCM) and you have 4 plugs on the on the PCM(drivers innner fender) then you have the 42RLE,since the 42RLE has the TCM intergrated in the PCM.

This is the kind of answer I am looking for
now which one is the "good one"?

The 45RFE is a truck tranny,was behind the first RAM pickups that came out with the 5.7 HEMI,way better then the "mini van" tranny(the 42RLE).

TCM on the passenger fender
+
PCM on driver fender
=
45RFE
That is what I have and would explain why I have little issue with reverse

Now am I to understand correctly that they put the 42RLE in the Rubicon's?
I am asking this because someone with a Rubi was complaining about weak reverse about an hour ago
and I know that KJ's have reverse issues but I had no clue that the TJ's had the same issue?
I may never buy another Jeep with an auto
unless the commander and grand have a good tranny behind the 4.7 or Hemi

Now I'm confused. I just checked my build sheet. It says I have the 42RLE, which is what I thought I had (build date Feb of 2003) but it also says I have 4.10 gears. That can't be, because I have the 3.7 with 30a front and 8.25 rear, right?

There should be a tag on the rear diff cover with the gear ratio on it, if that has been removed, then look to see if the sticker is still on the Left (might be the rightside) of the axle housing, Should say like 8.25 Open Carrier, 3.73 or 4.10 gear.


Then there is always the counting method, to find out the ratio



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

_________________
2003 Liberty Freedom Edition
1988 Suzuki Samurai

You can also count the bolts that hold the pan.

15 bolt pan = 45RFE
13 bolt pan = 42RLE

_________________
'04 Renegade 4x4
L.O.S.T. #058466
Car Domain, Updated: 2/23/2009
===_oooo
(_l_|_,\____\,_
{----__---_(olllllllo)
()_)"""""()_)--"--)_)

If the 42RLE is such a bad transmission why was it used on the Wrangler, and Rubicon also. I know little about transmissions and I'm confused. Besided higher gearing what makes it so much worse then the libby's initial tranny.

So if I understand correctly, you would have the 45RFE if your plugs match those in the two pictures below?



Drivers side


Passenger side


On a side note, if I have have a libby, it's -13c out and I'm trying to take pictures of the TCM to figure out which tranny I have, the hood will not immediately open to the normal position and I will bang my head on the hood latch. That's how I tell it's cold. It's not for everyone, but it works for me...

N

_________________
The beauty of a 4x4 is that you can get stuck at inaccessible places
=================================

2003 Liberty Sport
Blue w/ Gray trim
3.7L 5 Speed Manual
235/70/16 BFG MT's
65w Phillips fog light mod
AmsOil fluids end to end
SkidRow Front armor
Standard Frankenlift I & Al's U A-arms

I love Troy's answer, even if it did give me a head ach with all thos PCMs TCMs RLE and plugs and crap.

Could not have said it better myself, even if I knew what i was talking about.

God Love Troy.

Finish my Gecko yet? (Been a while since I asked, sorry)

_________________
'07 Ltd 3.7L, Black, OME HD's, OME shocks, Mopar Skids, AEV Bridgers w/ TPMS, Kumho KL78's, ARB Bumper, KC 130 Watters, Warn M8000 Winch, Rock Lizard Gecko Roof Basket KC 150 watters, Cobra 75WSX, 3 ft FireFly, RL Super Step Skinks

The first pic is correct but since you have a manual you lack the TCM on the inner passenger side fender(2nd pic).
It's cheap.The 42RLE started it's life as the A604,which was used in the Chrysler/Dodge mini vans and is a car tranny unlike the 45RFE which was ment for trucks(and is alot more expensive).It's all about $$$$$.

the A604 was also a 3 spd tranny, if you look on the back of the 42RLE, there is an additional block put on, thats the Overdrive unit, complete after thought.


the trans is horrible i have it, wish i had a manual trans.

_________________
2003 Liberty Freedom Edition
1988 Suzuki Samurai

The second number relates to the strength...45RFE and 42RLE

The 4 relates to how many forward speeds

The R relates to rear wheel drive

The FE is Fully Electronic

The LE is Limited Electronic

The new Dodge Cummins have a 68 for strength which is basically a 545RFE (front the CRD) with upgraded parts for strength and another forward gear...6 speed. The 545 is the 45 with an extra overdrive

_________________
Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

What would be involved with a swap from the 42RLE to the 45RFE? I mean besides scads of cash? Mechanically, would it be a straightforward swap?

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?

i have an 03-03 Build date w/ 42RLE


this is what mine looks like.




then the easiest way is just to stare and compare

_________________
2003 Liberty Freedom Edition
1988 Suzuki Samurai

Since your skid plate is already off, count the bolts circled in red.

13 bolts => 42rle
15 bolts => 45rfe

_________________
'04 Renegade 4x4
L.O.S.T. #058466
Car Domain, Updated: 2/23/2009
===_oooo
(_l_|_,\____\,_
{----__---_(olllllllo)
()_)"""""()_)--"--)_)

Skid plates, you say it like mine has them.


and i know its a 42RLE

_________________
2003 Liberty Freedom Edition
1988 Suzuki Samurai