Should I avoid a potential TJ purchase because it has a 42RLE?
- Thread starter xxthebombxx
- Start date
I grew up driving my parents 1996 ram 1500. My dad insisted that was mandatory to do first thing, hit the OD off button! So no big deal, makes perfect sense to me why it's a good idea to do so.
If you want to do some serious trails it is way cheaper to buy a built Jeep. The 4.56 is a little much for a 3 spd in my opinion on the interstate and D30s are not know for ring gear strength, but neither are a deal breaker. Hitting the trails on day one of ownership is a definite plus too, just not crazy trails.
To be honest, I dont have the wheeling experience in a full size rig to even come close to what this jeep does. He took me out in it a while ago and it was a whole new experience for sure. I have tons of time spent on other toys offroad, but nothing serious in a full size rig. I did drive it at 70mph yesterday and it turns around 3300 rpm. He has spent time in it driving on the highway but you definately arent keeping up with traffic. It drove surprisingly well though, better than I expected. I just know that I could put a lift and tires on the jeep I'm about to buy for the same cost as this one, and the overall condition is pretty much the same as far as rust, mileage, etc goes. Decisions.
Current F150s can be had with the 10 speed auto (0.62 final OD) and 3.15 gears. And it's actually perfectly fine! That said, engines of today are far more powerful, and 10 speeds make a huge difference
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
Just chiming in to say I've got an 04 42rle and have had it running without issue now for almost 3 years. Mine is a DD, so no lift or oversized tires or anything, and it handles fine - better with O/D off. First thing I did was get fresh trans fluid in though after purchasing. As others said, it gets pretty hot. I don't run a cooler at this time though.
Good luck with the purchase.
Good luck with the purchase.
You know, sitting here with my glass half full outlook on life, the .69 overdrive in the 42’ is a good thing. It allows us to run crazy low gears which would otherwise not be possible….
I liked the overdrive gear in my old 42’ so much that I replaced it with a tranny which has two overdrive gears…
OP - don’t be afraid of the 42’. Cool it and gear it right and it will be fine.
I liked the overdrive gear in my old 42’ so much that I replaced it with a tranny which has two overdrive gears…
OP - don’t be afraid of the 42’. Cool it and gear it right and it will be fine.
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I didn't like my 42rle much even with the correct gearing and 35s. I have tinkered with the tune and now I believe it is the lack of power and not the 42rle when you start adding lift and bigger tires. I never touch the OD button now.
TJRick
TJ Enthusiast
It must SUCK to have to do that.
I sure I am glad I have an earlier TJ with the 32RH.
I've never actually had a 42RLE, but this argument is one I've also thought about for a long time.
I really don't see why having that 4th gear is really such a disadvantage. It only adds capability, and doesn't take anything away. In general, the more ratios and the wider a spread a transmission has, the more utility it has. Sure it may result in different axle ratios to be able to use all four gears effectively, but you still have additional utility over a 3 speed. Okay, if you're not regeared, maybe you have to press a button now and then. But it's an extra option (hence extra utility) you have.
Automotive manufacturers in general are pushing towards more speeds and wider ratio spans in transmissions. Not only does it improve fuel economy, but it also significantly improves the capability and the performance of the vehicle. The vehicles can pull slower, accelerate faster, pull harder, and run higher top speeds. Combine that with the fact that engines are becoming excessively powered, and you can get some crazy good performance out of modern cars even on the less expensive side.
I would bet a lot of money if you could mate a TJ 4.0 to a Ford 10R80 or GM 10L80, it would absolutely dominate any existing transmission (automatic or manual) on the 4.0 in driveability, acceleration, fuel economy, and pulling power. And realistically you could probably run any axle ratio from 3.73 to 5.89 on 35s and still probably get better performance than any existing 4.0 transmission with any axle ratio of your choice.
My reply was partially tongue in cheek. The real issue with the 42' is not with the overdrive itself (although it is just a bit too deep), but rather that the TCU shifts into overdrive much too quickly, and winds up lugging the engine when it doesn't really need to do so.
It doesn't suck at all really. Having 5.13s or 5.38s really helps the crawl ratio which a 231 could use. Of course if you don't spend much time on the interstate it allows more gear.
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
This has been my experience ha. Most of the roads I use regularly around me put you riiiiight in that sweet spot where you go just fast enough to trigger it. So unless it's turned off, you're either forced to go just under the speed limit to avoid it, or you lug, or you speed
I wouldn’t hesitate for a good price. It’s probably sold already if you didn’t go get it.
He is holding for me to make a decision today. My father in law confirmed condition. It's in as like new condition as you can get for the year and mileage. My decision now is to buy this one, and build it up how I want it, or buy the other one that is way more built than I would ever need, for almost the same price. Easily 20k into it. Lower mileage, basically no rust, but it might not be as highway friendly which is one thing I will be doing once in a while to go on jeep trips with my brother. I could always flat tow or put it on a trailer to get there. Just putting new tires on the other jeep will put my cost the same as this built one. This was professionally built, and owned by someone who has been doing it for a long time. 35s, 4.56 gears, and the 3 speed runs about 3400 rpm on the highway at 70mph. My concern is driving that way for a 6 hour one way trip. That asking too much of the jeep? Are atlas transfer cases made to handle long highway trips at sustained speeds? Maybe it's all no big deal. I have a 16 2500hd to haul it around if I needed to.
The problem is the spark timing. More power is needed at that speed and the ECM is drastically pulling timing. Opening the throttle more at speed lowers vacuum which reduces spark advance requiring more throttle. It is a vicious cycle. The fix isn't hard at all but does cost money, about $350 for HPTuners. If you have a good friend with HPT it would be $50 and some beer. It will not fix every Jeep, but it sounds like you only need a little help. You will like the extra pep too. If the tire size and gear ratio is off a tune won't fix it.
I wouldn’t worry about those rpm’s at all.
with the right shocks and setup, it should drive better than stock (mine does).
it all comes down to whether you want to build it or step into a built one. For some of us building is therapy and 75% of the fun. Money isn’t the issue for us. If money is an issue and you aren’t concerned with building it yourself, get the built one.
Not_Invented_Here_
TJ Addict
Truly appreciate the explanation and suggestion, wouldn't be worth it as mine is all stock and no plans for any lift or large tires anytime soon. I just keep it in good working order so I can get from A to B, occasionally with dogs, tools, and/or groceries ha. I just switch off O/D and that is generally good enough.
It drove great down the highway. Smooth and stable. It's all quality stuff on it for sure. I'm not afraid to put money into one to build it up, but I also cant deny the value of this one. He is an older guy and built it the way he did so he wouldn't ever have hike out again. Didnt build it to get in to stuff, built to to get out just in case. It hasnt hardly been wheeled, and what he has done with it wasnt hard at all. I trust him and have know him for a long time, and seen the progression ot his toys over the years. I just need to decide now.
You mentioned is has a Rubicon Express 4.5” kit. Is it the long arm version with the huge belly pan?
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