ATS Diesel 42RLE transmission

[hear]

I'm glad you address the bushings , what about the case ?

I've seen Blaine mention the trouble with the cases... he's undboutedly seen more than I have, but I haven't had one not rebuild well and I don't have any idea what to check on the case. But I'm also a total hack who works out of his garage. I would love to know what sorts of things are bad and how to check for them.

 

[Wildman]

I've seen Blaine mention the trouble with the cases... he's undboutedly seen more than I have, but I haven't had one not rebuild well and I don't have any idea what to check on the case. But I'm also a total hack who works out of his garage. I would love to know what sorts of things are bad and how to check for them.

I've been trying to read up on the 545RFE as much as I can and figure out how best to rebuild the spare case I have. Not much information out there on them that is for sure. And then GOOD replacement parts are even harder to find from what I've been able to find.
But I'd like to have this one ready to swap into the Jeep ASAP...

 

[Rickyd]

I've seen Blaine mention the trouble with the cases... he's undboutedly seen more than I have, but I haven't had one not rebuild well and I don't have any idea what to check on the case. But I'm also a total hack who works out of his garage. I would love to know what sorts of things are bad and how to check for them.

What's the word on the cj trans you salvaged off the titanic?

Did they install it?

 

[hear]

I've been trying to read up on the 545RFE as much as I can and figure out how best to rebuild the spare case I have. Not much information out there on them that is for sure. And then GOOD replacement parts are even harder to find from what I've been able to find.
But I'd like to have this one ready to swap into the Jeep ASAP...

Have you been able to build any sort of parts interchange across other Chrysler transmissions? That would be immensely helpful as our rigs age.

What's the word on the cj trans you salvaged off the titanic?

Did they install it?

No word. I have it back to them a while back with 2 issues: first was an excessive amount of endplay in the output shaft that I never could isolate, and her valve body was thrashed. I tried to find a replacement but there are a ton of variations. If I had time and felt like it was worth my effort, I believe I could’ve restored it. But I reached a point where I no longer had time. But condition wise, it was money. Considering how awful it was when I got it, I performed a miracle.

 

[Wildman]

Have you been able to build any sort of parts interchange across other Chrysler transmissions? That would be immensely helpful as our rigs age.

There is some parts interchange between the 68RFE and the 545RFE. Since the newer 8HP70 is the go to transmission now I don't think there is as much attention to the 545RFE as there was before. From what I've found out if you're building a BIG HP engine the newer 8 speed is the transmission you want.
I want to get mine done & driving then in a year or two I might look at doing the 8HP70 swap. But I'd also like to look at just building the spare 545RFE that I have.
The plus to the 8HP70 is no shifter cable and it's a more efficient transmission from everything I've read. And people who have swapped from the 545RFE to the 8HP70 say it's a game changer. I think since I have a older PCM I'd have to run a stand-a-lone TCM if I tried to do the 8HP70 but it's something I've got to look into more.

 

[hear]

how does the case length compare across all those?

 

[Wildman]

how does the case length compare across all those?

I can't tell you how long a 43RLE is.

I'll have to go back out and measure my 46RE again to get you a length on it . The 545RFE is 1/2" maybe 3/4" longer with the transmission mount pad being bout 2" farther back than the 46RE.

The 8HP70 is supposed to be close to the 545RFE length but I haven't fully confirmed that yet either. Then there is also the 8HP75 which has lower gears in it making it better for us who want it for a trail rig.

1) 4.71:1
2) 3.14:1
3) 2.10:1
4) 1.67:1
5) 1.29:1
6) 1.00:1
7) 0.84:1
8) 0.67:1
Reverse) 3.30:1

What might be interesting would be if the newer transmissions being used behind the V-6 could work behind the 4.0 but you'd have to figure out a TCM. But there are companies who have them they are just $$$$$ .

 

[Wildman]

545RFE is approx 23.3" long

8HP70 is approx 23.75" long but then in another thing I find it being 717.6mm which is 28.25" long.

We're getting to being too long for a TJ.

Using these newer transmissions in a TJ can cause issues as far as the PCM. Since the newer PCM is running on a CanBus so you have to run aftermarket gauges and all the other needed parts which I'm not 100% sure of. It's just beginning to be discussed here. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-reference-guide-swap-info.46347/post-1633568

Edit: From Hotwire's website. https://www.hotwireauto.com/swapping-chrysler-s-8hp70-90