How is the durability of the 4spd auto

JEEP-DADDY · 05-25-2009, 02:29 PM

I am looking to spend about 13k on an Unlimited, it seems most that fit my budget are autos with 70-90k on them. I know the 4.0 is not a problem, but what about the tranny? Rebuild time or still in its youth?

blackattak · 05-25-2009, 03:04 PM

Everything I have read has been positive. I can't say for sure though as my 2004 LJ only had 16,500 km (10,000 miles) on it last year when I got ot & has about 30,000 km on it now.
Cost wise, mine only cost me $16,500 Canadian (about $13,000 US with exchange rate) in April 2008 with this low mileage so there are definitely ones available for what you want to spend. I am happy with mine.

**Unlimited04** · 05-25-2009, 03:21 PM

before spending money on a 42RLE auto trans, read this entire thread first:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/42rle-4-speed-auto-overdrive-488510/

we aware of what you're getting.

JEEP-DADDY · 05-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Wow harsh reviews of the auto for street use!

M2LJ · 05-26-2009, 06:33 PM

Wow, there's some real horsecrap in that thread!

The 43RLE is a great transmission and holds up well in the Jeep.

Yeah, the OD kicks in at 45 MPH on the road, but once you learn to drive it you can make it work. Or you can turn it off by simply hitting switch on the dash.

Offroading, the torque converter is a real advantage! I test drove two nearly identical LJs, one with the 6-speed and the other with the auto. It was an easy decision to go with the auto...

otisdog · 05-26-2009, 06:34 PM

The OD is too tall but the tranny is liveable if that's what you want. I have one in my 03 - got it so my wife could drive.
There were some problems with the early builds [mine was one]. Jeep went through it at 8K miles and I've not had a problem with it since. Have 50K now.
I have 3.73 gears and 33" tires. I keep the OD turned off 90% of the time and it works fine.
Has been a good tranny on the trail.
Jim

robncar · 05-26-2009, 06:40 PM

Still happy with ours. Just throw a lot of gear at it to be happy.

johnny9 · 05-26-2009, 06:57 PM

well you guys will laugh,haha..but my 97 tj w/auto and 4.0 still works great with 140,000 miles on it and belive it or not it has a 6 inch lift and 35,s for 80,000 of those miles w/3.07 gears..i know,i need gears bad..
there comeing soon..the poor high geared jeep has done good like it is for a long time,,wish i had a button to cut out my overdrive on the highway tho,thats when you can really tell it needs gears bad..works good for what it is in low range 4x4 tho.
it will probally tear it up when i change the gears since its so used to it,john

**lumpster** · 05-26-2009, 07:13 PM

your 97 doesnt have OD

**Knuckelhead** · 05-26-2009, 07:20 PM

I ran 35" tires with my 32RH and 3:54's for 2 weeks, many years ago. That sucked...

PhulesAu · 05-26-2009, 07:50 PM

Mine finally suffered the death of the , selinoid packs at 102,456m. I'll be doing a soft rebuild, to make it past the 200k mark!! INSTALL a tranny cooler!

johnny9 · 05-26-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpster

your 97 doesnt have OD

yes it does i think..the shifter is just 1-2 drive..i think it has overdrive tho,or its just the locup convertor i feel.
what i meant was i wish i had a button or something so i could take it out of overdrive..id have to put the shifter in second gear instead ,and that wont work above 45 mph for me,john

tranny cooler is always a good idea,thanks..i needed that reminder..

chaznad · 05-26-2009, 08:03 PM

You dont have overdrive. you have the 32rh 3spd which seems to work very well in my opinion. they are speaking of the 42rle 4spd which came about in 03 or something

johnny9 · 05-26-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaznad

You dont have overdrive. you have the 32rh 3spd which seems to work very well in my opinion. they are speaking of the 42rle 4spd which came about in 03 or something

well now i know what i got

thanks for the info..if i didnt learn something everyday it wouldnt be a good day right..
it works real good for me thats for sure,and ive herd there good tranys.
it would be better w/gears tho,john

**Unlimited04** · 05-26-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEEP-DADDY

Wow harsh reviews of the auto for street use!

Off-road the trans is beautiful.

On-road it annoys the **** outta me.

It needs 50-75 more hp, deeper gears, a complete TCM remap, a trans cooler, a shift kit and a better overdrive ratio.....but other than that its fine.