I just like it better without it. Whats the 45RFE??? Something good I hope lol.
Yes, the 45RFE is a very good thing.
Over the course of the KJ's production, there were two automatic transmissions that were put behind the 3.7L, the 45RFE, and the 42RLE. The tricky part is who has what. In most cases it's obvious, but it was originaly thought by most of us, based on the reports we were seeing from others that the change over had occured sometime during the April 2003 run of KJ's. However, lately we are finding out that this may not be the case, and it may be slightly later than that.
While both transmissions are very solid, personally, the 45RFE suits the the KJ and the 3.7 better. The 45 can be found behind the Dodge Ram (not sure which models of the Ram off the top of my head), and I believe it was designed for the Ram (so designed for a truck, consequently means it's going to be built to last compared to others).
The 42RLE was one that that was originally designed for lighter duty use, and had to be adapted to fit to a rear wheel drive application, such as the KJ. General complaints towards the 42 are the quirky shifting.....especially once you get into OD. The 42 is often searching for the right gear at about the point where OD kicks in, especially if you're climbing up even the slightest of hills....it will often times kick down into 3rd, then hop right back into 4th again.
I had the opportunity to drive my old neighbors KJ back from the airport a couple of years ago. This was a 2002 sport, decked out about the same as mine is, only he had the 45RFE, and my KJ has the 42RLE. I noticed a nice difference in performance, and the KJ felt like it had more pep to it. The shift points were slightly lower, and it pulled a lot better in 4th/OD crusin down the road (I could actually pass people with out it kicking down a gear). I also liked the firmer, quicker shifts.
So bottom line, while both transmissions are proving to be very reliable, if you have the 45RFE (which you do), consider yourself lucky. I encourage you to test drive a 2004+ KJ if you ever get the opportunity, and take note of the change in responsiveness.
As for who's got what.....here's what we're certain on (bear in mind this is only with KJ's equipped with the 3.7L....the CRD gets a different transmission specifically for the CRD:
ALL 2002 models have the 45RFE.
2003 is the switch over year. Earlier 03 models tend to have the 45, later tend to have the 42. However it varies on the later 03's as to which transmission is equipped. It's almost one of those "which ever is first on the shelf, gets put in this KJ" type deals....which is why it's hard to determine the change over date
I'm pretty certain that just about all 2004's have the 42RLE...however I have seen a couple of exceptions lately.
ALL 2005 - Current have the 42RLE
As far as the nit picky stuff, Marlon knows the insides of Chrysler better than the damn CEO himself....so i'm sure he'll chime in and correct any of my errors
Hope this helps!
