Master overhaul kit for the Chrysler 45RFE/545RFE/65RFE: frictions, steels, overhaul gasket-and-seal set, plus the 4WD and spin filters for the rear-drive Dodge, Jeep and Ram V8s.
When a Ram 1500, Durango, Dakota, Aspen or Grand Cherokee with an RFE automatic starts slipping on the upshifts, drops into limp mode, or leaves a burnt smell and dark fluid on the dipstick, the job usually ends on a bench. This master rebuild kit is built for that bench day on the Chrysler 45RFE, 545RFE and 65RFE behind the 3.7L V6 and the 4.7L and 5.7L V8. In one box you get the friction plate module, the matching steel plate module, the overhaul gasket and seal set, a 4WD-length sump filter and a spin-on filter, at a 14.5 lb kit weight that ships easily.
The RFE family has no bands. Every gear is made by applying and releasing clutch packs: underdrive, overdrive, reverse, 2C, 4C and low/reverse. The controller watches input and output speed and keeps adjusting how fast each clutch fills, which makes the shifts feel smooth long after the frictions start to wear. The catch is that the adaptives cover a problem up until a pack is burnt. By the time the truck flares or slips you are usually looking at worn frictions, glazed steels and tired sealing rings across several drums, not just one. Renewing all of the frictions, steels, lip seals, O-rings and gaskets together is what brings clutch fill times back to where the controller expects them.
Not every bad shift is a worn clutch. A sticking solenoid switch valve, a weak pressure control solenoid or a failed line pressure sensor can make an RFE shift badly while the clutches are healthy, and line pressure codes like P0868 and P0869 point to the hydraulic control side first. Pull the pan and look at the magnet and the filter. If you find friction material and the fluid smells burnt, the packs are done. Our 45RFE 3-4 clutch failure guide walks through the overdrive clutch failure in detail, and the RFE valve body testing guide covers the checks that rule out the control side. For a sense of total job cost, see 45RFE rebuild cost and what drives it.
The listed applications are Chrysler Aspen 2007-2009 (4.7L and 5.7L), Dodge Dakota 2000-2011 (4.7L), Durango 1999-2018 (4.7L and 5.7L), Ram 1500 2002-2018, Ram 2500 and 3500 2002-2016, plus Jeep Cherokee, Commander, Grand Cherokee 1999-2013, Liberty and Wrangler, in RWD, 4WD and AWD form. That span covers several design changes. The early 45RFE runs four forward ratios, the 545RFE and 65RFE run five, and Chrysler revised the valve body in 2009 by dropping the overdrive solenoid and the number 6 check ball. Before you order, read the tag on the case, count the plates in each pack you remove against the kit, and compare filters. If anything looks different, send us your year and VIN and we will check it. Everything for this family is on our 45RFE and 545RFE parts page, and if you only need the 4WD filter version, see the master kit with 4WD filter.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is listed for the 45RFE, 545RFE and 65RFE in Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep applications from 1999 to 2018. Because clutch counts and the valve body changed over those years, count the plates in each pack you remove and compare them with the kit, or send us your year and VIN to confirm.
A friction plate module, a steel plate module, an overhaul gasket and seal set with metal-clad seals, O-rings and lip seals, a 4WD-length sump filter and a spin-on filter. It does not include drums, pistons, bushings or a torque converter.
Chrysler's 2008 fluid capacity chart lists an overhaul fill of roughly 14 to 16 liters depending on the cooler and line size, versus about 5.2 liters (4x2) or 6.2 liters (4x4) for a pan service. Buy at least 16 quarts and set the final level with the fluid hot.
Yes. RFE units adapt clutch fill, and the old adaptive values were learned on worn clutches. Run the Quick Learn procedure with a capable scan tool after the rebuild, then drive the truck through every shift so the controller can fine-tune.
Inspect and replace worn bushings, check the pump and drums, service or replace the valve body if it tested poorly, and flush the cooler. A shift kit is a good addition on 2004-2009 units. If the converter is contaminated, have it serviced too.
Not on its own. Codes such as P0868, P0869 or P0932 point to the pressure control solenoid, line pressure sensor or valve body. Diagnose those first; the kit fixes worn clutches and leaking seals.
