Should I avoid a potential TJ purchase because it has a 42RLE?

[xxthebombxx]

Hello all. I'm new here but have been reading tons of information here on TJs. Seems like a great place to be! I've been trying to buy a jeep for sometime now, the market is crazy and jeeps get bought up so fast. I've read so many posts on the 3 speed automatic being the best choice and how bad the 42rle is. I have a chance to buy a babied, absolutely no rust, desert climate 03 jeep tj with the 4 speed in it. The jeep is immaculate inside and out, but has 122k miles. The paint looks brand new, interior is great. So really then, should I actually be afraid to get the 4 speed instead of the 3 speed? 03s shouldnt have some of the computer issues for the tranny as later years, no opda issues of the 05/6 years. The price is a bit high but everything is right now. It's a stock jeep, not molested. What do you guys think?

 

[Vasq]

Hello all. I'm new here but have been reading tons of information here on TJs. Seems like a great place to be! I've been trying to buy a jeep for sometime now, the market is crazy and jeeps get bought up so fast. I've read so many posts on the 3 speed automatic being the best choice and how bad the 42rle is. I have a chance to buy a babied, absolutely no rust, desert climate 03 jeep tj with the 4 speed in it. The jeep is immaculate inside and out, but has 122k miles. The paint looks brand new, interior is great. So really then, should I actually be afraid to get the 4 speed instead of the 3 speed? 03s shouldnt have some of the computer issues for the tranny as later years, no opda issues of the 05/6 years. The price is a bit high but everything is right now. It's a stock jeep, not molested. What do you guys think?

I'd absolutely buy it. The downside I've seen (read) about the 4 speeds is the overdrive + bigger tires. There are solutions to that, and those solutions are much easier than trying to repair/replace rust damage and/or previous owner fuck up's in some cases. If the Jeep is cherry, and rust free, and you like the color of the pristine paint, and you can feel good about the price... you might kick yourself for passing on it when you can't find one to check all those boxes.

 

[Ron505]

BUY IT!

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Darsmith]

I have an '03 Sahara with the 42RLE with 105k and it's been trouble free. This jeep also came out if the Las Vegas area and is rust free. I'd buy it.

 

[cliffish]

Buy it, you can regear if you don't like it.

 

[Irun]

Don't let the later model automatic (i.e. 42RLE) deter you in the least. Problems with it, in my experience, are over rated. I've owned several 2003 and 2004 automatics and never had a problem, even up to 200K. Any noted issues were specific to the 2005 and 2006 model years (Computer related).

That said, if you want to ensure a longer trouble free transmission life, install a quality cooler and temperature gauge. When you're ready for that, there is lots of valuable expertise to help you.

As others have said, if the Jeep has a clean title, is rust free, and you're good with the asking price, buy it. To help with the decision, you can also go here to get a build sheet. Knowing some of the options it came with can help with the decision. Get the VIN, then plug it in here:

https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

Get the results and let us know what you find, specifically with the "options".

 

[Kid Mechanic]

… not molested. What do you guys think?

Unmolested and from Lovelock? That Jeep is a steal!!

 

[xxthebombxx]

Thank you all for the responses. My gut says to buy it. The quality of it has been the best that I have found in almost 6 months of looking, and the price is right there with anything else right now. Nice shot on lovelock, lol. Any old vehicle I have owned with an automatic transmission, I have added an auxiliary cooler to, so no issues there. It would be a hobby/toy for me, and I wouldn't put that much miles on it in a years time. I've gone back and forth on TJ or JK, as two older brothers have 2012+ JK's. I would like to join them on jeep camping trips, and figured a TJ would allow me to add a bunch of goodies to it and still be cheaper than the buy in price right now for a newer stock JK. Like any other forum, most of the time people come to complain about issues, so they get blown out of proportion a bit compared to real life. It does identify issues though. Another brother has almost 200k on a 2007 dodge nitro, which should also have the 42rle, in the denver area and has had no issues with it.

The guy seems really honest about it, even feeling bad that there are a couple of paint chips in the wheel wells. I have pictures of it, and a friend is going to go look at it today for me to just verify its condition, until I can travel to go look at it. Any other tips/tricks to look for?

 

[Chris]

I've owned 3 TJs with the 42RLE transmission and never once had a problem. Two of them were 2005s, the current one is a 2003.

 

[AndyG]

I like the 42 Just fine when the overdrive is turned off...It immediately becomes a three speed automatic

 

[bromel]

Can't speak to the TJ, but the 42 in my WJ is running strong at 165,000 miles. You just need to be diligent about turning off the O/D. Even with stock tires, the O/D is ridiculously geared.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

As above, buy it. The 42RLE itself is a good transmission, its bad reputation was earned solely by its steep .69 OD ratio. Regear the axles to the proper lower ratio and it's fine. The only TJs I'd avoid with a 42RLE would be 05/06 models.

 

[TJRick]

As above, buy it. The 42RLE itself is a good transmission, its bad reputation was earned solely by its steep .69 OD ratio. Regear the axles to the proper lower ratio and it's fine. The only TJs I'd avoid with a 42RLE would be 05/06 models.

If you think .69 is steep, the AOD in my 1985 Ford F150 has an OD ratio of .67!

 

[IAmTodd]

After I regeared mine I've come to like it. It's still a little sluggish at times and I would definitely get a cooler mounted ASAP.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I've never had any issues with any of my 42rle trans Jeeps. I turned off the OD as soon as I started them.

 

[Chris]

Yep, just remember to disable OD as soon as you start it up. If you can do that, it's not a bad transmission.

Oh, also, put a transmission cooler on it! These things run HOT!

 

[jeepguy03]

Yep, just remember to disable OD as soon as you start it up. If you can do that, it's not a bad transmission.

Oh, also, put a transmission cooler on it! These things run HOT!

+1

Transmission coolers and fluid changes are a must. I like the B&M stacked plate coolers, they are durable and fit nicely. I had one on my 2000 XJ which had the AW4, which is also a hot running transmission and it made a nice difference in temps. I also added an in-line magnefine transmission filter on the rubber cooler line. The temps stayed cool and the fluid was always bright red. Just make sure if you add the filter you know which way the flow is for the fluid return line to the transmission, as the filters are directional.

 

[xxthebombxx]

Thank you for the replies everyone! I ran the vin, it is a freedom edition from 2003. Has 3.73 gears, paint matched fenders, and other fancy stuff. I have someone looking at it tomorrow for me to verify condition and everything before I travel. An interesting turn of events though. I guy I work with has always had awesome built jeeps. He's been giving me tips and tricks on what to look for etc. Hes built all sorts of different jeeps and currently has a 2001 tj, rubicon express 4.5" lift, steering upgrades, radiator, aux cooler, g2 dana 44 rear axle, built dana 30 front axle, 4.56 gears, electric lockers front and rear, bolt in roll cage, 35s', atlas transfer case, bumper and winch. He got the jeep with 96k miles on it 5 years ago, now has 113k miles. No rust at all, paint not as nice as the other one but no big deal. Hard top, sahara trim. I've known him for a long time and I told him what prices are right now for jeeps and he decided he might just sell it to me if I want it for hardly anymore than the other one. Seems like a no brainer to me. It's in great condition. Drove really well tonight at highway speeds. I had already took it offroad when I started considering tjs. I know that part of the fun of a jeep is customizing it yourself. But this jeep is nice and it's hard to deny the build and component selection, and price. What are your thoughts? He doesnt hardly use it as he built it to play with his kid, but his kid is a car guy not a jeep guy. Seems like it would be stupid to pass on it if he actually decides to part with it. Also, he just builds 4x4s as a hobby. Hardly uses them, gets bored, sells his toy and builds another one.

 

[Mrholland]

Ok, I'll be an exception. I have 3 2004 LJs, 2 of the 3 have had their trans rebuilt. One suffered torque converter failure that took the trans with it, the other lost reverse.

That said, the only reason I haven't bought a 4th 2004 LJ auto is because I haven't found it, yet.

They're good trans, if it fails, fix it. Any of them can fail.

 

[xxthebombxx]

Ok, I'll be an exception. I have 3 2004 LJs, 2 of the 3 have had their trans rebuilt. One suffered torque converter failure that took the trans with it, the other lost reverse.

That said, the only reason I haven't bought a 4th 2004 LJ auto is because I haven't found it, yet.

They're good trans, if it fails, fix it. Any of them can fail.

Thanks for the insight. I'm prepared to fix issues that arise, in order to have a jeep that will let me go on some pretty awesome adventures