ATS Automatic Transmission Package for Jeep (2003-06) 42RLE, 4.0L 4x4 Stage 1

The 42-RLE transmission that is used in the 2003-2012 Jeep was never designed to handle the abuse of after market add-ons such as over sized tires, extreme off-roading, increased power levels, higher gear ratios or towing. The small 42-RLE factory transmission also has a very low volume cooling system, the low cooler flow does not allow adequate transmission fluid circulation through the torque converter in order to properly cool the torque converter during normal driving much less stressful situations such as four wheeling or hauling any additional weight over stock. The primary hydraulic pump of the transmission is not big enough to support the increased pressures and lubrication that is needed to keep the clutch packs and gear sets alive at higher power levels.

Other design limitations of the 42-RLE plague the ability of the transmission to handle much power over stock. The stock torque converter is manufactured using stamped steel parts that make up the lock-up porting of the converter. The converter cover will deflect under power causing the converter clutch to slip under load creating excessive heat and clutch material to shed from the lock-up piston. The combination of heat and debris from the converter clutch causes transmission failure as the material from the torque converter is flushed into the transmission.

The ATS modified 42-RLE has been redesigned to correct all of these problems and handle increased power levels of larger displacement engines, supercharged or turbocharged engines, larger tires or heavy towing. We understand the real world abuse that this transmission is asked to do in modified applications so we came up with the fixes for it. ATS has developed a combined technology utilizing recalibration of the hydraulic circuits inside the transmission, including revamped accumulator rates, reprogramed clutch to clutch apply and release timings, and line pressure rise rate to perfectly match the torque output of the engine. These enhancements, along with other key hydraulic modifications which ATS makes, must be done to ensure the clutch packs have the correct apply and release rates when commanded on or off. As well, the transmission hard parts have many limiting weaknesses which do not allow for increased power levels over stock. Specifically, the light duty shafts and hubs must be addressed. All of these areas are addressed in our transmission to allow for increased power levels and reliability.