Master overhaul kit for the Chrysler 42RLE four-speed with frictions, steels, filter, and a full gasket and seal set for Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Dakota.
A 3.7L Jeep Liberty that flares into second, a Dodge Dakota or Nitro that falls into limp mode after a long pull, or a Wrangler that smells burnt and engages Reverse late are all classic 42RLE rebuild cases. This master kit gives you the consumable half of that rebuild in one box: the product photos show three groups of lined friction plates, the matching steel plates, a new deep filter, the cork pan gasket, the pump gasket, front and rear lip seals, sealing rings and the full O-ring and piston seal assortment. It is the kit to buy when the transmission is coming out anyway and you want every clutch pack and every seal renewed instead of guessing which one failed.
The 42RLE is the rear-wheel-drive member of Chrysler's Ultradrive family, and like the 41TE it shifts entirely with clutches. Underdrive, overdrive and reverse are the input clutches; 2-4 and low/reverse are the holding clutches. There are no bands to adjust, so shift quality depends on two things this kit replaces: friction material that still grips, and seals that hold apply pressure while the controller swaps one clutch for the next. A clutch with worn frictions takes more oil to fill, and a leaking piston seal bleeds the pressure that should be clamping the pack. Either one turns a crisp clutch-to-clutch shift into a flare.
Read the clutch volume index values with a scan tool that supports Chrysler transmissions. ATRA lists the normal learned ranges as low/reverse 35-83, 2-4 20-77, overdrive 48-150 and underdrive 24-70. A clutch reading above its range is using extra oil to apply, which points to worn frictions or a leaking seal and makes this kit the right call. If you only have solenoid circuit codes and the fluid is clean, look at the solenoid pack and connector first; our Ultradrive family problems guide explains that split. When the slip only shows under heavy throttle, work through the slipping-under-load guide so a pressure problem is not mistaken for burnt clutches.
The supplied fitment chart lists the 2003-2013 Jeep Liberty 3.7L, 2003-2011 Wrangler 3.8L and 4.0L, 2004-2012 Dodge Dakota 3.7L, 2004-2008 Durango 3.7L, 2007-2012 Nitro 3.7L and 4.0L, 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider 3.7L, and the 2.7L and 3.5L Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Magnum and 2009-2010 Challenger. The same chart also names the 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee 2.4L, the Mitsubishi Endeavor and the Ram 1500 3.7L. Those vehicles are normally built with other transmissions (the 2014-2015 Cherokee uses a nine-speed), so do not order for them unless the tag on your case reads 42RLE. The case tag is the real test for every vehicle on the list; if you are unsure, send us your year and VIN and we will check before it ships. Hard parts for the same unit are on our 41TE and 42RLE collection page.
This is a soft-parts kit, so drums, gears, bushings, the pump and the solenoid pack are not included. Clean and inspect all of them while the unit is apart. Soak the new frictions in ATF+4 before assembly, build each pack, and check clutch clearance against the service spec rather than trusting the old stack height. Air-check each circuit before the valve body goes on. A scored pump or worn stator support undoes the rebuild, so replace it with the 42RLE pump if the gears or bore are marked. If the old solenoid pack set codes, fit the 42RLE solenoid kit while the pan is off, and a unit that cooked its fluid often has a worn valve body too, which the 42RLE valve body replaces. Fill with ATF+4, set the level hot with the engine running, clear codes and run the Quick Learn so the controller relearns fill volumes for the new frictions.
| Transmission | Chrysler 42RLE four-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive |
| Fitment | Jeep Wrangler 03-11, Dodge Dakota 04-12, Nitro 07-12, Challenger 09-10, Cherokee 14-15, Mitsubishi Endeavor 04-11 |
| Includes | Friction plates, steel plates, band, filter, and full gasket and seal set |
| Years | 2003 and up |
| Does not include | Gears, drums, pump body, or solenoid pack (hard parts) |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. The 42RLE shifts with five clutches and has no band. The friction plates, steels, filter and seals are what matter in this kit.
Those Cherokees normally use a nine-speed automatic, not a 42RLE, even though the supplied chart lists them. Check the transmission tag and send us your VIN before ordering.
Yes. The photos show a new deep filter along with the pan gasket, pump gasket, seals, O-rings and sealing rings.
ATF+4 only. Set the level with the engine running and the fluid at operating temperature.
Yes. Run the Quick Learn procedure so the controller resets its learned clutch fill volumes. Skipping it leaves harsh or flared shifts until the controller adapts on its own.
