Can you swap a 42RLE in for a 32RH in a '99 TJ?

Moab

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So I'm pretty sure my '99 TJ needs a new AT transmission. It has a 32RH in it. Can I put a 42RLE in it from a 2010 Rubicon? If so, what is involved? And would it be more expensive than having another 32RH installed? Would I need a new console? I've read about the overdrive in town shifting alot - unless you turn the overdrive off. But I don't mind that. As most of my driving is around town. And I could just shut it off. But when I do go on a long trip I wouldn't mind it.

ALso the 42RLE is used with a reported 60k on it. Guy says he took it out because he did a LS2 engine swap in his Rubicon. Does that make sense?

Just trying to find the least expensive option here. I can have it rebuilt for $1200. But I don't have complete confidence in the shop that will do it for that.
 
A 42RLE from a JK will not fit.

A 42RLE from a TJ will fit, but it will be way more headache than it’s worth.

The cheapest and best route is to put in a replacement 32RH, which many (myself included) consider to be a better transmission than the horrible 42RLE.
 
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A 42RLE from a JK will not fit.

A 42RLE from a TJ will fit, but it will be way more headache than it’s worth.

The cheapest and best route is to put in a replacement 32RH, which many (myself included) consider to be a better transmission than the horrible 42RLE.

@Chris
On a separate note are these mutually exclusive? Mine has the 42RLE nearing 200k.. If it went out would only a 42RLE TJ fit and not a 32RH or JK 42RLE?
 
@Chris
On a separate note are these mutually exclusive? Mine has the 42RLE nearing 200k.. If it went out would only a 42RLE TJ fit and not a 32RH or JK 42RLE?

If your 42RLE in your TJ went out, the only other 42RLE that would fit it would be the 42RLE from a 03-06 TJ / LJ.

The JK 42RLE would not fit.

The 32RH would physically bolt-up, but your PCM is expecting a transmission to be there to control the shifting (and the 32RH isn't controlled via computer), so you'd have to shut the TCM module off via the PCM. There would likely be other little things that would need to be addressed as well.

Putting a 32RH in a TJ originally equipped with a 42RLE should be easier than putting a 42RLE in a TJ originally equipped with a 32RH.

The 42RLE was used in a variety of vehicles. But while that may be the case, the only one that will fit in your TJ, is one that came from another TJ. The ones used in the other vehicles (including the JK) have a lot of things different about them (length, bell housing, etc., etc.).
 
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If your 42RLE in your TJ went out, the only other 42RLE that would fit it would be the 42RLE from a 03-06 TJ / LJ.

The JK 42RLE would not fit.

The 32RH would physically bolt-up, but your PCM is expecting a transmission to be there to control the shifting (and the 32RH isn't controlled via computer), so you'd have to shut the TCM module off via the PCM. There would likely be other little things that would need to be addressed as well.

Putting a 32RH in a TJ originally equipped with a 42RLE should be easier than putting a 42RLE in a TJ originally equipped with a 32RH.

The 42RLE was used in a variety of vehicles. But while that may be the case, the only one that will fit in your TJ, is one that came from another TJ. The ones used in the other vehicles (including the JK) have a lot of things different about them (length, bell housing, etc., etc.).

Great information. Thanks as always, I'll keep this in mind if mine ever shits the bed.
 
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Great information. Thanks as always, I'll keep this in mind if mine ever shits the bed.

The number one killer of the 42RLE (and automatic transmissions in general) is heat.

If you want that 42RLE to last a lot longer than it otherwise would, do what most of us do and get the Derale direct fit automatic transmission cooler for the 42RLE.

It's easy to install and will drop transmission temperatures by up to 40 degrees. This is one of the absolute must haves for anyone with a 42RLE.
 
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The number one killer of the 42RLE (and automatic transmissions in general) is heat.

If you want that 42RLE to last a lot longer than it otherwise would, do what most of us do and get the Derale direct fit automatic transmission cooler for the 42RLE.

It's easy to install and will drop transmission temperatures by up to 40 degrees. This is one of the absolute must haves for anyone with a 42RLE.

Before I even bought the Jeep I read about this on the forum.. Great bit of advice but the part that scares me is that mine is already at 199k so I'm not sure how much extra longevity I will get out of it by adding the cooler at this point.. For $300 an extra 10k doesn't seem too worth it to me if I'm probably going to have to have it rebuilt soon anyway.

Plus the farthest I really plan on driving it is an hour or so, so hopefully it doesnt get too stressed under that sort of condition. What do you think?
 
Before I even bought the Jeep I read about this on the forum.. Great bit of advice but the part that scares me is that mine is already at 199k so I'm not sure how much extra longevity I will get out of it by adding the cooler at this point.. For $300 an extra 10k doesn't seem too worth it to me if I'm probably going to have to have it rebuilt soon anyway.

Plus the farthest I really plan on driving it is an hour or so, so hopefully it doesnt get too stressed under that sort of condition. What do you think?

With close to 200k, your transmission will need a rebuild soon. Generally they last around 200k miles or so, sometimes up to 250k.

My advice would be when you install new transmission, put one of those coolers on it and it will last even longer than 200k. Any amount you can keep those transmission temps down adds to the longevity, even if it's just in-town / daily driving.
 
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Another thread I'm glad I stumbled across, add this to my stupid need to fix list. Mine will not go into 1st, stops at 2nd and acts like there shouldn't even be a 1st gear. Other than that, it works fine, so I'm not messing with it. I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to set this Jeep on fire and walk away. Rant over.
 
Another thread I'm glad I stumbled across, add this to my stupid need to fix list. Mine will not go into 1st, stops at 2nd and acts like there shouldn't even be a 1st gear. Other than that, it works fine, so I'm not messing with it. I'm getting to the point where I'm ready to set this Jeep on fire and walk away. Rant over.

Oh. I've had those days. I've been driving basically without 2nd for two months. But I've got an appt at a good trans shop next week.
 
Oh. I've had those days. I've been driving basically without 2nd for two months. But I've got an appt at a good trans shop next week.
If you're in SoCal you should be taking it to Joe at Westminster Transmission in Orange County. He's an absolute guru of Jeep automatic transmissions and definitely won't try to screw you with anything.
 
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If you're in SoCal you should be taking it to Joe at Westminster Transmission in Orange County. He's an absolute guru of Jeep automatic transmissions and definitely won't try to screw you with anything.

That's where I'm going. mrblaine hooked me up with a referral. Just waiting for some shop time to open up.
 
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Putting a 32RH in a TJ originally equipped with a 42RLE should be easier than putting a 42RLE in a TJ originally equipped with a 32RH.

.

I have just found a used wrangler engine on sale with 42rh gearbox ...
I'm going to inspect it with a mechanic expert and hopefully if all goes well I'll take it.
If I install the 42rh on my 2002 wrangler (Normally equipped with 32rh and therefore PCM not used to shift gear), Will it work ...? Or do I need programming to make it work together...?

Envoyé de mon MHA-L29 en utilisant Tapatalk
 
I have just found a used wrangler engine on sale with 42rh gearbox ...
I'm going to inspect it with a mechanic expert and hopefully if all goes well I'll take it.
If I install the 42rh on my 2002 wrangler (Normally equipped with 32rh and therefore PCM not used to shift gear), Will it work ...? Or do I need programming to make it work together...?

Envoyé de mon MHA-L29 en utilisant Tapatalk

The 42RLE won’t work in your 32RH equipped TJ. It’s computer controlled and therefore you would need the TCM (and likely PCM) from the donor vehicle.

@mrblaine likely knows the details, I just know that while the transmission will bolt up, there’s a lot more to it than that.