Would I be a fool for not jumping on this low mileage 42RLE transmission?

Wyatt Morris

Wyatt Morris

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Jul 15, 2019
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FL
I’ve got a dilemma

I’ve got an 06 TJ with 135k miles. My tranny has been giving me issues, and I changed the fluid a bit ago and it was basically black. Occasionally it throws a p0700 generic code, and I’ve recently replaced the PCM with a WranglerFix module.
I have an opportunity to buy a 42rle with 52k original miles for $800. Would I be a fool not to jump on this opportunity? I have a buddy with a shop and we’ve worked on his jeep a good amount. I’d rather not have to deal with a shop.

I also plan to get a high quality cooler for the transmission if I go that route.
 
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Wyatt Morris said:
I’ve got a dilemma

I’ve got an 06 TJ with 135k miles. My tranny has been giving me issues, and I changed the fluid a bit ago and it was basically black. Occasionally it throws a p0700 generic code, and I’ve recently replaced the PCM with a WranglerFix module.
I have an opportunity to buy a 42rle with 52k original miles for $800. Would I be a fool not to jump on this opportunity? I have a buddy with a shop and we’ve worked on his jeep a good amount. I’d rather not have to deal with a shop.

I also plan to get a high quality cooler for the transmission if I go that route.
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It costed me ~$2k to have a shop rebuild my 42RLE at 192k miles. If the 42RLE you're eyeing makes it to 192k then you're 27% into the life of it. 27% of $2k is ~$540. In other words you're not saving any money in the long run.

Wait I did that backward. You have 73% of the life left (if it makes it to 192k). 73% of $2k is ~$1500. So you are saving money by paying $800 for that one.

Even if that transmission only makes it 135k miles like your current one, then you'd be paying $800 for about $1200 of transmission life.

So yeah do it if you want.
 
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Wyatt Morris said:
I’ve got a dilemma

I’ve got an 06 TJ with 135k miles. My tranny has been giving me issues, and I changed the fluid a bit ago and it was basically black. Occasionally it throws a p0700 generic code, and I’ve recently replaced the PCM with a WranglerFix module.
I have an opportunity to buy a 42rle with 52k original miles for $800. Would I be a fool not to jump on this opportunity? I have a buddy with a shop and we’ve worked on his jeep a good amount. I’d rather not have to deal with a shop.

I also plan to get a high quality cooler for the transmission if I go that route.
Click to expand...
You need to be a little more descriptive in the issues you're having with it.
 
Rubicon88 said:
You need to be a little more descriptive in the issues you're having with it.
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For the first two years that I owned it I had the infamous hard shifting from 1st to 2nd. I got WranglerFix pcm which fixed it. It often throws itself into limp mode and won’t let me get out of it until I turn the jeep off and back on. This issue comes and goes, but was frequent after highway driving with overdrive, when I got back into the city and it had to shift often. I’ve got a p0700 code that is no help, and also comes and goes.
 
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thomat65 said:
It costed me ~$2k to have a shop rebuild my 42RLE at 192k miles. If the 42RLE you're eyeing makes it to 192k then you're 27% into the life of it. 27% of $2k is ~$540. In other words you're not saving any money in the long run.

Wait I did that backward. You have 73% of the life left (if it makes it to 192k). 73% of $2k is ~$1500. So you are saving money by paying $800 for that one.

Even if that transmission only makes it 135k miles like your current one, then you'd be paying $800 for about $1200 of transmission life.

So yeah do it if you want.
Click to expand...
I appreciate this! I’m a math and numbers guy so this helps me make sense of it all.
 
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Rubicon88 said:
Absolutely positive on your new fluid level?

Moreover bad fluid can act like low fluid as the properties of thr fluid have broken down.

P0700 can be the equilivant of P0300 on the engine.
Any other codes along with the p0700?
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None other along with it. The fluid looks good to me. Slightly above the “hot” zone on the dipstick while running.
 
I dont think you are gonna find a rebuild service or new or rebuilt trans for $800. Id buy it. Even if i wasnt gonna put it in right away. Good insurance. And who needs all those problems your having. I say swap it out now.
 
Wyatt Morris said:
This issue comes and goes, but was frequent after highway driving with overdrive, when I got back into the city and it had to shift often. I’ve got a p0700 code that is no help, and also comes and goes.
Click to expand...
Sounds like the torque converter is going out.
 
@Wyatt Morris scan the transmission side of the vehicle and it will show another code. The 0700 is a generic code saying something is wrong but nothing specific. It could be wiring as well.

FC720CB8-CF5A-4B42-9B27-59082D95BF7E.jpeg
 
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