Picking up where I left off

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

Chris, I am not getting paid here at work today, because there is no work. So, I caught up on this thread and @jjvw thread. While not safe, I have hit 85MPH in my TJ vibe free. It wasn't "scary" but felt like it should not be maintained for too long. I do run a hubs kit and my rear DS is set correctly. I also had that thought that if one of my 35's blew out or something hopefully it would be a quick death.

One neat thing to remember about the 42RLE that will always put a big smile on your face, is that internally its mostly the same as the mighty dodge caravan 41TE used for so many years, just it operates Laterally. I worked as a transmission rebuilder for 10 years and built a shit ton of Caravan units. I'm personally impressed with what a 42RLE will live through honestly. So each time you drive your Jeep with the 42RLE it's like a beefy minivan in ways.

When my 42RLE shits the bed I will document a Rebuild in my thread, of how to turn it into super transmission....Which can't be done but oh well. I personally would run the 42RLE over a 32RH or AW4. I have no idea why so many guys like the AW4, oh that's right like stated before wiring is scary.

 

[Chris]

Chris, I am not getting paid here at work today, because there is no work. So, I caught up on this thread and @jjvw thread. While not safe, I have hit 85MPH in my TJ vibe free. It wasn't "scary" but felt like it should not be maintained for too long. I do run a hubs kit and my rear DS is set correctly. I also had that thought that if one of my 35's blew out or something hopefully it would be a quick death.

One neat thing to remember about the 42RLE that will always put a big smile on your face, is that internally its mostly the same as the mighty dodge caravan 41TE used for so many years, just it operates Laterally. I worked as a transmission rebuilder for 10 years and built a shit ton of Caravan units. I'm personally impressed with what a 42RLE will live through honestly. So each time you drive your Jeep with the 42RLE it's like a beefy minivan in ways.

When my 42RLE shits the bed I will document a Rebuild in my thread, of how to turn it into super transmission....Which can't be done but oh well. I personally would run the 42RLE over a 32RH or AW4. I have no idea why so many guys like the AW4, oh that's right like stated before wiring is scary.

I’ve owned plenty of AW4s and never liked them. The only thing I ever hated about the 42RLE is the overdrive. However, I can easily get in the habit of turning it off, and it sounds like @Flyin' Ryan Performance might have some control over the shifting points of the transmission, so we will see what can be done.

It’s a fine transmission for what I’ll be doing with it. I rarely ever drive my TJ anymore unless it’s wheeling or the occasionally in-town trip. At some point I’ll end up with a trailer to tow it to destinations. Driving a TJ any sort of long distance is a chore in and of itself.

 

[jjvw]

I get the sense that the 42 shifts into OD too early. Fixing that would help.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

I get the sense that the 42 shifts into OD too early. Fixing that would help.

It hits OD too early, and then with OD off it hits 3rd and Lockup too quickly. My take is Chrysler software programming of this vintage is sort of like a 6th graders science project. Good enough for what it is, but not sophisticated at all. When you rebuild a Chrysler automatic, the Joke in our shop was "is loose too tight?" for clutch clearance.

Cause if you tighten up a Chrysler automatic's clutch clearances, it gets pissed and binds up afterwards when shifting. Sometimes, when I drive my Jeep I literally wonder if the PCM is even watching the Throttle position sensor at all, or if just does the same shit no matter what each time. It just barrels into 3rd and lockup while still accelerating at a decent pace even with OD off. And to get it to automatically downshift you have to really lay on the throttle.

 

[Wildman]

Driving a TJ any sort of long distance is a chore in and of itself.

I guess it's from too many years driving Army junk for 6-10 hours at a time because for me driving a TJ is a dream compared to that.
Now I won't lie I'd rather drive my Ram and tow my TJ but if needed I'd drive my TJ 10 hours no problem. But I also will strap 120HP engine between my legs and go for a 10 hour ride.

 

[B00mb00m]

Treat her well @Chris and she'll take care of you.

...Bye bye old girl... It's been a good 11 years together.

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Thats a beautiful white sand beach you live on there Tox.

 

[jjvw]

Thats a beautiful white sand beach you live on there Tox.

The old Wisconsin desert!

 

[Chris]

The old Wisconsin desert!

Where cheese curds grow on trees.

 

[jjvw]

Where cheese curds grow on trees.

The old Wisconsin dessert!

 

[toximus]

Where cheese curds grow on trees.

If you can get 'em in season they squeak between your teeth. Purfict for keepin' yous warm oot on da ice eh.

 

[Apparition]

If you can get 'em in season they squeak between your teeth.

That’s the best

 

[Chris]

As many of you know my rig is now at Blaine's and he is doing a bunch of stuff to it.

This is the finished result of him raising the rear frame. This will of course eliminate the body lift pucks in the rear (no more crack) which he is doing in combination with raising the body lift mounts on the side as well. Ground clearance will also be increased and the departure angle will be slightly improved as well.

If you didn't know what you were looking for you'd think this was factory:

 

[toximus]

Is that... DIRT!!!!!! under your Jeep?!!!

 

[Chris]

Is that... DIRT!!!!!! under your Jeep?!!!

I’d like to think of it as dust

 

[mrblaine]

I’d like to think of it as dust

Speaking of which, what is sprayed on everything under the rig that dirt sticks to?

 

[toximus]

Mud.

 

[Shuttlesworth]

Chris, I am not getting paid here at work today, because there is no work. So, I caught up on this thread and @jjvw thread. While not safe, I have hit 85MPH in my TJ vibe free. It wasn't "scary" but felt like it should not be maintained for too long. I do run a hubs kit and my rear DS is set correctly. I also had that thought that if one of my 35's blew out or something hopefully it would be a quick death.

One neat thing to remember about the 42RLE that will always put a big smile on your face, is that internally its mostly the same as the mighty dodge caravan 41TE used for so many years, just it operates Laterally. I worked as a transmission rebuilder for 10 years and built a - ton of Caravan units. I'm personally impressed with what a 42RLE will live through honestly. So each time you drive your Jeep with the 42RLE it's like a beefy minivan in ways.

When my 42RLE - the bed I will document a Rebuild in my thread, of how to turn it into super transmission....Which can't be done but oh well. I personally would run the 42RLE over a 32RH or AW4. I have no idea why so many guys like the AW4, oh that's right like stated before wiring is scary.

When I see people talk about Jeeps at speed not being a good idea. Is that a general consensus for lifted Jeeps w/ big tires? or all Jeeps in general? Because I have never had an issue with mine. 4.0/AX-15 with saggy stock springs on 31's (will be changing soon)

On road trips I regularly maintain 85-90 MPH trying to make decent time.

 

[Chris]

Speaking of which, what is sprayed on everything under the rig that dirt sticks to?

That I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t spray anything under there but I noticed what you’re talking about. I am wondering if maybe @ToddK sprayed it with something when he brought it to Massachusetts.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

When I see people talk about Jeeps at speed not being a good idea. Is that a general consensus for lifted Jeeps w/ big tires? or all Jeeps in general? Because I have never had an issue with mine. 4.0/AX-15 with saggy stock springs on 31's (will be changing soon)

On road trips I regularly maintain 85-90 MPH trying to make decent time.

Definitely not all Jeeps in General. I was only sharing my opinion. I would have no issue with maintaining 70-75mph in mine either. Heck, they race Jeeps in the desert.

85mph "in mine" felt dangerous on the road I was on. And the thought of one of my 35's blowing out at that speed was scary. Or having to do any type of maneuvering for any reason, Probably not gonna happen. My Jeep is tall and has a soft sway bar, I like it that way.

I just see 75mph as MY top maintained speed. But, that's not to say that on a long open stretch I wouldn't go faster if I felt like it.

I live in a Rural area and RARELY hit the interstate, it's been over a year since I have in my Jeep. I mostly drive in town and on country highways.

 

[Wildman]

As many of you know my rig is now at Blaine's and he is doing a bunch of stuff to it.

This is the finished result of him raising the rear frame. This will of course eliminate the body lift pucks in the rear (no more crack) which he is doing in combination with raising the body lift mounts on the side as well. Ground clearance will also be increased and the departure angle will be slightly improved as well.

If you didn't know what you were looking for you'd think this was factory:

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View attachment 230870

That always looks so much better than stock.