Full overhaul kit for the Chrysler 42RLE 4-speed: friction and steel plates, filter, gaskets and seals for Wrangler, Dakota, Liberty and Charger.
This is the complete rebuild kit for the Chrysler 42RLE, the four-speed rear-wheel-drive automatic behind the V6 and four-cylinder engines in the Jeep Liberty, Wrangler and Cherokee, Dodge Dakota, Durango, Nitro, Charger, Challenger, Magnum and Ram 1500, the Chrysler 300 and the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Raider. If your truck slips going into second or fourth, flares on the 2-3 shift, or keeps falling into limp mode with clutch-related codes, this is the box of parts the overhaul needs: friction plates, matching steels, the transmission filter, and the gasket, lip seal, O-ring and sealing-ring set. It cross-references OE numbers 68332423AA and 52852913AB.
The 42RLE is the rear-drive version of the 41TE/42LE design, so it shifts the same way: no bands, just clutches. The underdrive, overdrive and reverse clutches drive the geartrain, while the 2-4 and low/reverse clutches hold it, and the controller times every shift by draining one clutch as it fills the next. It learns how much oil each clutch needs to apply, and as frictions wear that number climbs until the shift starts to slip or flare. Hardened seals and worn sealing rings do the same thing from the other side by leaking apply pressure. Replacing every friction, steel and seal in one pass resets both, and the included filter means the new clutches are not fed oil through a filter loaded with the old clutch material.
Scan for codes and look at the learned clutch volume index (CVI) values before you commit to a rebuild. ATRA's bulletin for this family puts the normal ranges at low/reverse 35-83, 2-4 20-77, overdrive 48-150 and underdrive 24-70; a clutch reading above its range is worn or leaking. Solenoid or pressure switch circuit codes on clean fluid usually point to the solenoid block or its connector, which is a far cheaper repair. Our 41TE/42RLE Ultradrive family problems guide covers the code split, and the slipping-under-load guide explains how valve body wear can imitate burnt clutches.
Listed fitment: Jeep Wrangler 2.4L, 3.8L and 4.0L 2003-2011; Jeep Liberty 2.4L and 3.7L 2003-2013; Jeep Cherokee 2.4L 2014-2015; Dodge Dakota 3.7L 2004-2012; Durango 3.7L 2004-2008; Nitro 3.7L and 4.0L 2007-2012; Charger 2.7L and 3.5L 2006-2010; Challenger 3.5L 2009-2010; Magnum 2.7L 2005-2008; Ram 1500 3.7L 2006-2012; Chrysler 300 2.7L and 3.5L 2005-2010; Mitsubishi Endeavor 3.8L 2004-2011 and Raider 3.7L 2006-2009. The V8 versions of many of these trucks used the 45RFE or 545RFE, which this kit does not fit. Read the transmission tag or send us your year and VIN to confirm. Browse the rest of this family on our 41TE and 42RLE collection page.
Remove and fully disassemble the transmission, clean the case and drums, and inspect the hard parts the kit does not cover: bushings, the pump, the drums and the torque converter. Soak the frictions in ATF+4, rebuild each pack, and set clutch clearances to specification. Air-check each piston before installing the valve body. Late 42RLE units with variable line pressure have an extra pressure sensor and solenoid connector next to the range sensor; they still use the standard solenoid pack, so if yours set solenoid codes, fit a new 42RLE solenoid block pack while the pan is off. If the valve body bores are worn, the 42RLE valve body with solenoid block replaces it as one assembly. Flush or replace the cooler so old debris does not return, fill with ATF+4, check the level hot in Neutral, then run Quick Learn with a scan tool.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Yes. The kit includes the transmission filter along with the friction plates, steel plates, gaskets, lip seals, O-rings and sealing rings. Bushings, hard parts and the torque converter are not included.
Usually not. The 42RLE was paired with V6 and four-cylinder engines; most V8 versions of those trucks used the 45RFE or 545RFE. Check the transmission tag or send us your VIN.
It shares the 41TE/42LE clutch layout and control strategy but is built for rear-wheel drive, so the case, filter and many hard parts are different. Use a 42RLE kit for a 42RLE.
ATF+4 only. Fill it, start the engine, and check the level with the fluid hot and the shifter in Neutral.
Yes. Clear the codes and run Quick Learn with a scan tool so the controller resets its clutch fill volumes for the new frictions; otherwise the first shifts can flare or bang.
