Jeep 45RFE trans

mike diesel

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
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SLC, Utah
The wife needs/wants a new ride. I have always been fond of the jeep libertys for some reason. My friends woman had one for years and never had any severe problems with it, which eased my mind. I almost bought one for myself about a year ago but would have gone with a manual trans because I have never trusted Chrysler automatics.

Well the wife won't touch a manual trans so automatic it is...does anyone have any experience with i believe it is the 45RFE trans that the 03 liberties came with? I think 03.5 they switch to the 42RLE.. I guess it could be either one, as I'm not sure if it is a later 03 or not. Hesitant to buy the jeep with an automatic. Trying to get away from her current problematic jetta.
 
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clrussell

clrussell

pro-procrastinator
Sep 23, 2013
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Have you drove a liberty? My sister had one for about a year before she finally got rid of it. It would make her car sick driving it.

I havnt seen any trans problems out of the few I've been around. My Inlaws had one for 7 years and 150 with no problems.

I don't really like the way they ride or drive but that's just me..

I've got a diesel one I work on a little and that thing is pretty peppy !
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

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Sep 6, 2012
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SLC, Utah
I've mainly wanted a diesel one but people still want $10k for them out here. I can get this 03 with 122k for $5k.

If they text me back and still have this one I'm going to go test drive it.
 
wrcknkrw

wrcknkrw

Member
Feb 21, 2008
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roy ut
Mike the 3.7l had some bad issues around 02-03. Through my work I get a lot of people looking for replacement motors for them. They are not cheap at all when you can find a used one.
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

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Sep 6, 2012
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SLC, Utah
Well this one has 122k on it and it is the original owner. He says they have never had any issues with it. Most all the others that I looked at were at 190k+ miles.

the wife has only put 30k on her jetta in 4 years. I'd be worried if i was spending $15k+ on it but for $5000, meh I'm not too worried about it. Meeting the guy right now so the wife can test drive it.
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

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Sep 6, 2012
4,005
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SLC, Utah
It is way clean. It is fully loaded, every option you could get. Its a big step up from the wifes shit jetta. Other than a little bit of wear on the driver seat, the interior is almost perfect.

My next days off I'm going to put new rear pads on, change all the fluids, grease everything and get it registered. I will admit, the jetta would walk all over this jeep in a race:D
 
Robby05

Robby05

New member
Jul 25, 2014
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Spokane, WA
Had a few issues I had with the wife's liberty, think it was a 02 or 03. Engine light came on for evap system: cracked rubber hose on a vacuum canister by fuel tank above rear axle on driver's side fixed that problem. Another issue was it started to die at stop lights when up to temp: idle air control valve on throttle body would get full of carbon & the passage. Had to clean that a few times, maybe 3-4 times in the 6 years she had it. Had to replace an ignition coil. Then usual stuff, belt & hoses. Had to put a water pump in it. Started to use oil towards the end of our time with it & had low compression on one cylinder. Bought it with 65k & drove it to 170k. All in all a pretty solid rig. She drove the snot outta it.
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
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36
SLC, Utah
1 ignition coil is not bad considering I have replaced all 4 coils on the jetta 6 times in 4 years. You can't get more than 7-8 months out of a coil. Its rediculous!
 
Mpsoldier

Mpsoldier

That just happened!
Mar 10, 2010
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In my House
The motor problems we have with them is them dropping valve seats. Three this year one with 97k on it. Usually caused by bad radiator or head gaskets going and them heat stroking the motor.
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
Mpsoldier said:
The motor problems we have with them is them dropping valve seats. Three this year one with 97k on it. Usually caused by bad radiator or head gaskets going and them heat stroking the motor.
Click to expand...

Yea I've heard of dropping valve seats. It happened to my buddies GF's liberty whenthey were towing they're massive boat with it, pedal to the floor for as long as it could go up the canyon. Started knocking and her dad kept in it and that was all she wrote. The only towing this one will ever do is a tiny 2 place wave runner trailer maybe 2 or 3 times during the summer.
 
mike diesel

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
So turns out this is a late '03 and has the 42rle. Research shows it being the biggest pile of junk chrysler has ever built. Lucky me!

I dropped the pan, changed the filter and refilled with fresh +4. The old fluid wasn't terrible but wasn't good looking either. No debris in the pan or stuck to the magnet so that's good atleast. Trans feels great!

Also changed the spark plugs...people seem to think those are a life time part...they were more than likely original and the electrode had eroded away on all 6. They only had .090" gap! Ha! The engine ran perfect regardless...I put some new ones in obviously.
 
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