45RFE and 5-45RFE Information

In this video I try my best to explain a few things about the FCA used 45RFE and 5-45RFE transmissions

[@Dzm79]

Awesome I starting engine and transmission swap on dodge ram 1500 rwd with engine and trans from jeep liberty 4x4 .You answered my question !!!

[@jacotacomorocco]

Super helpful video bud thanks!

[@hafsalinda]

Jeep v6 and 8 engines use the starter on passenger side along with the 4.0 which has a different bell housing pattern. Dodge v6 and v8 use the starter on the driver side. So i guess the location has both bolt holes [ driver and passenger] and is manufacturer dependent on which side is used.

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

The W5A580 is the Mercedes 5G-Tronic gearbox used in the V6's and SRT8's. And you were right originally with the RFE's being produced by Chrysler.

[@moosemechanic4591]

Hey thanks for making this video, I have a 2006 grand cherokee with a 4.7 and 4wd and I'm looking to convert it to rwd, up until this video I've been putting it aside. Thanks again dude

[@ogbobbyharris5561]

Earned a sub

[@TOO_RAW]

Good to know dude I'm about to have to drop my 545rfe on my 01 jeep wj 4.7L v8 and that makes it easier to find another if I can use a 2wd trans

[@mr.skullcrazy5574]

Do the electronics change on a 545rfe 2wd to a 4wd?

[@tinasulimowicz4638]

You're right the 545 and the 45RFE transmission are the same the only thing different about the to is actually the programming in the TCU that's what makes them different but the transmissions are the same

[@travisjohnson4983]

Wait arnt the pans on the transmissions different between the 4x4 and 2WD ? I know the pickup tube filter is a different length between the 2

[@ImPlague]

So if i want to replace the transmission in my 06 jeep commander 5.7 2wd? What do i have a choice to pick from? Just bought this truck and the moment i got home the trans just shot itself slipping wont go into 3rd or beyond slips in 2nd. P0700 and p0704. Trans fluid is good. Just going to go buy a trans froma yard just trying to figure out what i can use since its in different engine configurations etc.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

45RFE 1999-2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L) 2002-early 2003 Jeep Liberty (3.7L) 2000-2002 Dodge Dakota (4.7L) and "(3.9L) Sport Edition Dakota" 2000-2002 Dodge Durango (4.7L) 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 (3.7L and 4.7) 545RFE 2001-2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L, 4.7L H.O.,5.7L Hemi) 2005-2006 Jeep Liberty (Diesel applications) 2003-2011 Dodge Ram (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) 2005-2011 Dodge Power Wagon 2003-2011 Dodge Dakota (4.7L, 4.7L H.O.) 2003-2011 Dodge Durango (4.7L, 5.7L) 2006-2010 Jeep Commander (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) That was the best list I could find but do also note that at certain years the trans controller was integrated with the main computer

[@LectricLetus]

Tryna figure out if you can have it flashed to use it's final gear combination.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

Sorry for not replying sooner but yes there is a way to have it flashed to get the extra gear. I’ve only seen the dealer be able to do it so far but that could be completely different now

[@travisjohnson4983]

Are the electronics/valvebody the same for the RWD vs the 4x4 ?

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

Yes and no. I kept the Jeep valve body when I did my swap into the Jeep but that was also partly for a peace of mind thing in case something was just a little bit different. If I’m remembering right though there was something about the electrical plugs that was different for certain years or vehicles. Personally I say it’s better to reuse the valve body from what vehicle it’s going into.

[@wesleyseay8901]

Could I take a 4x4 and put a tail shaft on it. I can’t find the right transfercase for it thinking of making it 2wd till I can afford to get it rebuilt

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

Yes you absolutely can. The trans I put in the Jeep started life as a 2wd. Just make sure to seal it up good otherwise it’ll leak

[@moosemechanic4591]

One question before I dig into my project though, so since im converting my 06' from 4x4 to 2wd will the same rear driveshaft work or am I going to have to buy a 2wd rear driveshaft.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

The driveshaft should fit. It fit mine with the tail shaft and with the T Case installed.

[@moosemechanic4591]

@@worldsokayestmechanic6631 okay thanks, I appreciate the quick reply

[@jefferylebowski3786]

Just shift the 4X4 from high to low while in neutral a couple of times and boom it's 2wd... Lol

[@moosemechanic4591]

@@jefferylebowski3786 💀

[@jefferylebowski3786]

@@moosemechanic45912000 jeep grand cherokee limited 4.7l 45rfe... But seriously. I threw a p0700 code that says I need a solinoid replacement (Thank you Lucas oil). Do I just need to replace the solinoid pack or do I need to consider changing out the valve body as well? Btw I did snap the linkage for the 4x4 hi/lo but I'll save that for another question... My apologies for my prior poor humor.

[@davidgibson2029]

So are they both 5 speeds or is one a 4 speed I just bought a 2500 truck with the 545rfe 5 speed.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

It just depends on the application. They both can be 4 or 5 speed depending on the programming in the ECU. If you ever replace the transmission though, you will want to reuse your valve body if possible since it is a little different from “heavy duty” like yours to a Jeep that has the same 545RFE.

[@MegaMarclar]

it is a 4, 5, 6 speed and also theoretically could be a 7, 8 speed, and can have 2 reverses too. it just comes down to programming

[@jeromea1659]

What Up? 😅 My 06 Durango lost Reverse and Neutral after doing a almost Rockford R to D too fast..? Now what?

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

I’ve never heard of anyone losing neutral before but losing reverse it may just be time for a rebuild or replace. Depending on where you live it may be easier to find someone to rebuild it than trying to find a replacement

[@woodstovehooters4558]

my ‘06 Commander just lost reverse and neutral after being stuck in limp mode, while troubleshooting, for the past few months with a P0700 code the whole time. Replaced valve body, filters and fluid a month before losing reverse and neutral, but never resolved limp mode status FYI

[@joshuariley9563]

How do you adjust the bands in the 45rfe?

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

There actually are no bands to adjust in a RFE style transmission. I would definitely recommend a fluid service if you are starting to have issues with it but remember that there are two filters inside, a press in one and a spin on one.

[@joshuariley9563]

Thanks

[@davidmoquin1166]

Any chance you still have that 2wd tail shft housing? I need one for 5.7 Dakota 2wd conversion.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

Actually I do

[@davidmoquin1166]

@@worldsokayestmechanic6631 If you'd consider shipping it I'd be interested in buying it. I'm putting a 5.7 from a GC 4X4 into my 2wd Dakota.

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

@@davidmoquin1166 I’ve actually been thinking about using it to hemi swap my mustang with a blown V6. What part of the country are you in and I’ll help you check into some yards to see if they may have one or two laying around. Also if you keep a watch on Facebook marketplace they pop up every now and then.

[@davidmoquin1166]

I'm in MA and its hard to find 2wd. Most everything I see is 4wd. Ive seen them on ebay for $$$. with shipping on top. I was hoping to find something cheeper than 3 figures

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

@@davidmoquin1166 I did some digging this morning and I found sams pull a part and they lost whole transmissions for $130 in MA. They may be worth checking out. You can always resale the T. Case and other transmission to recover the money that way. It may be worth checking into.

[@B1GTOGA]

545 has a 2nd gear prime, i think thats what your talking about

[@worldsokayestmechanic6631]

You are correct however it oddly only uses the 2nd prime in the downshifting sequence which doesn’t make sense to me. I did recently do some more research due to personal questions I had and there is an extra planetary gear set that lets them achieve everything that they have done. Theoretically, it could be made into a 6 speed with programming changes as well because of its interior design but they used the “6th” gear as 2nd prime for the downshifting sequence. Thank you for pointing that out tho!

[@drewsey5733]

I believe the later 645RFE transmission used that programming, or Atleast they counted 2p as a normal forward gear and it became third. I don’t know what the shift logic is but I believe that’s what the difference is, the ratios are all still the same, and both 45rfe and 545rfe have 2 prime. The only major difference between the two is software related, to the point where a common wj mod is to take the tcm from a later 2001ish-2004 wj and put it in a 99-01 that came with the 45rfe and it’ll give you an extra overdrive making it a 5 speed, I’ve heard this upgrade also works on dakotas and Durango’s and I’ve even seen someone do it on a 2001 liberty.