Overhaul kit for the Chrysler 42RLE with seals, gaskets, O-rings, filter, frictions and steels for 2003-up Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Chrysler.
If your 3.7L Jeep Liberty, Wrangler TJ or JK, Dodge Dakota, Durango or Nitro has started to flare between gears, drops into second-gear limp mode on a hot day, or pulls a dark, burnt-smelling sample off the dipstick, the clutches inside the 42RLE are usually the reason. This kit puts the wear parts for a complete 42RLE overhaul in one order: lined friction plates, steel plates, a new sump filter, the pan gasket, front and rear seals, sealing rings, piston seals and O-rings. It is meant for the build where the transmission is out of the vehicle and every clutch pack is getting opened up.
The 42RLE is the rear-drive version of Chrysler's Ultradrive design. It has no bands. Five clutches do all the work: underdrive, overdrive and reverse drive the gearset, while the 2-4 and low/reverse clutches hold members of it. Every upshift releases one clutch while it applies another, and the controller times that handoff by learning how much oil each clutch needs to fill. When frictions glaze or lose lining and steels heat-check, a pack needs more oil and more time to lock, and the overlap the controller planned for turns into a flare or a bind. New frictions and steels restore the original stack, and new piston seals keep apply pressure where it belongs.
A scan tool that reads Chrysler clutch volume index values gives you real numbers before you pull the transmission. ATRA's bulletin lists the normal learned ranges for this family as low/reverse 35-83, 2-4 20-77, overdrive 48-150 and underdrive 24-70. A clutch that has climbed above its range is taking extra oil to apply, which is the signature of worn lining or a leaking seal. Fluid that is still red with only solenoid circuit codes points somewhere else first; our Ultradrive limp mode and CVI guide walks through that split. If the slip only appears at wide-open throttle, read the slipping under load guide before condemning the clutches.
This kit is listed for 2003-up 42RLE units in the Jeep Wrangler and Liberty, Dodge Dakota, Durango, Nitro, Charger, Challenger, Magnum and Ram 1500, the Chrysler 300, and the Mitsubishi Endeavor and Raider. The listing also names the Jeep Cherokee; treat that as the KJ-platform vehicle, because the 2014-up Cherokee uses a nine-speed and will not take this kit. The reference numbers on the listing, 52852913AA, 52852913AB and 68059549AA, are the Mopar sump filter numbers for the 42RLE, which is the filter style packed here. The tag on the transmission case is the final word, so check that it reads 42RLE, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships. More 42RLE parts are on our 41TE and 42RLE collection page.
If you also want more fluid capacity and a drain plug for future services, the 42RLE aluminum pan kit bolts on in place of the stamped pan.
| Transmission | Chrysler 42RLE 4-speed RWD automatic |
| References | 52852913AA, 52852913AB, 68059549AA |
| Includes | Gasket kit, oil seal set, O-rings, filter, friction plates, steel plates |
| Listed fitment | 2003-up Jeep Wrangler, Liberty, Cherokee; Dodge Dakota, Durango, Nitro, Charger, Challenger, Magnum, Ram 1500; Chrysler 300; Mitsubishi Endeavor, Raider |
| Shipping weight | 7 lb |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Both. The kit contents list friction plates and steel plates, and the photos show both sets alongside the filter, gaskets, seals and O-rings.
No. The 2014-up Cherokee does not use a 42RLE. Check the tag on your transmission case; if it does not read 42RLE, this kit is the wrong one.
No. A new 42RLE sump filter is included, the same style as Mopar 52852913AB and its replacement 68059549AA.
No. This is a soft-parts kit with frictions and steels. Hard parts, the pump and the solenoid and pressure switch block on the valve body are reused unless you replace them separately.
Fill with ATF+4, set the level hot with the engine running, clear any codes and run the Quick Learn procedure with a scan tool so the controller relearns the new clutches.
