Chrysler RFE transmission

Last updated
Chrysler RFE transmission
Overview
Manufacturer Chrysler Corporation
Also called45RFE/545RFE
68RFE
65RFE/66RFE
Production1999-present
Body and chassis
Class 4, 5 or 6-speed automatic
Chronology
Predecessor Chrysler TorqueFlite transmission
Successor TorqueFlite 8 transmission

The RFE is an automatic transmission family from Chrysler. The name refers to its Rear wheel drive design and Full Electronic control system. [1]

Contents

45RFE and 545RFE

The 45RFE was introduced in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1999, it is notable for including three planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features three multiple disc input clutches, three multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized. In the 545RFE four gears are used on the upshift and a new "gear", 2nd Prime, was used with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) ratio to increase versatility when downshifting. Although, with some tuning, you can get the 545RFE to upshift into 2nd Prime. [2]

The 45RFE was produced at the Indiana Transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana. It was normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech V8.

The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE.


Applications:

68RFE

The 68RFE was introduced in 2007 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickups with the 6.7L Cummins ISB Diesel engine. The basic design and operation is the same or similar to the 45 and 545RFE counterparts with the following exceptions:

Applications:

65RFE and 66RFE

For the 2012 model year, the 545RFE was recalibrated and introduced as the 65RFE in 1500 Ram models. With the exception of an improved torque converter, it is physically the same as its predecessor. The key difference in the 65RFE is the ability to use all six forward gears in sequence when using Electronic Range Select mode. In normal drive mode, however, the 65RFE uses the shift pattern of the 545RFE; thus never using 2nd and 3rd gears in succession. 2500 and 3500 models with gas engines received the 66RFE, a hybrid of 68RFE internals (including the gearset) packaged in a 545RFE case.

Gear Ratios:

Applications:

Basic RFE operation

The fully electronic control is accomplished by the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Depending on year and application, it can either be a stand-alone module or integrated with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The TCM uses data from various transmission and engine sensors to control transmission shifting. The TCM operates the solenoid pack to change hydraulic flow through the valve body to various clutches in the transmission. The solenoid pack is mounted directly to the valve body; its connector protrudes from a hole on the left side of the transmission. On the 45 and 545RFE the hydraulic control system design (without electronic assist) provides the transmission with PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, SECOND, and THIRD gears, based solely on driver shift lever selection. This design allows the vehicle to be driven (in “limp-in” mode) in the event of an electronic control system failure, or a situation that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) recognizes as potentially damaging to the transmission. On the 68RFE, fourth gear is used for limp-in instead of second and third.

All RFE transmissions use Mopar ATF +4. Service fill is 6–8 quarts plus transmission filter.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ram pickup</span> American full-size pickup built by Stellantis

The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep Grand Cherokee</span> Large American 4WD off road SUV

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-size SUVs produced by the American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the start.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dodge Power Wagon</span> Motor vehicle

The Dodge Power Wagon is a four-wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1980 by Dodge. The Power Wagon name was revived for the 2005 model year as a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500. As a nameplate, "Power Wagon" continues as a special package of the four-wheel drive version of 3/4 ton Ram Trucks 2500 model.

Toyota Motor Corporation's A family is a family of automatic FWD/RWD/4WD/AWD transmissions built by Aisin-Warner. They share much in common with Volvo's AW7* and Aisin-Warner's 03-71* transmissions, which are found in Suzukis, Mitsubishis, and other Asian vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TorqueFlite</span> Automatic transmission made by Chrysler

TorqueFlite is the trademarked name of Chrysler Corporation's automatic transmissions, starting with the three-speed unit introduced late in the 1956 model year as a successor to Chrysler's two-speed PowerFlite. In the 1990s, the TorqueFlite name was dropped in favor of alphanumeric designations, although the latest Chrysler eight-speed automatic transmission has revived the name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cummins B Series engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Cummins B Series is a family of diesel engines produced by American manufacturer Cummins. In production since 1984, the B series engine family is intended for multiple applications on and off-highway, light-duty, and medium-duty. In the automotive industry, it is best known for its use in school buses, public service buses in the United Kingdom, and Dodge/Ram pickup trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrysler Hemi engine</span> Series of I6 and V8 engines built by Chrysler

The Chrysler Hemi engines, known by the trademark Hemi or HEMI, are a series of American V8 gasoline engines built by Chrysler with overhead valve hemispherical combustion chambers. Three different types of Hemi engines have been built by Chrysler for automobiles: the first from 1951 to 1958, the second from 1964 to 1971, and the third beginning in 2003. Although Chrysler is most identified with the use of "Hemi" as a marketing term, many other auto manufacturers have incorporated similar designs. The engine block and cylinder heads were cast and manufactured at Indianapolis Foundry.

Indiana Transmission is a Stellantis North America automobile factory in Kokomo, Indiana. The first plant, Indiana Transmission I, opened in 1998 and the second opened in 2003. In June 2010 Chrysler announced a 300 million dollar investment to retool and modernize the Indiana plant for production of a future eight-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep uses a variety of four-wheel drive systems on their vehicles. These range from basic part-time systems that require the driver to move a control lever to send power to four wheels, to permanent four-wheel systems that monitor and sense traction needs at all four wheels automatically under all conditions.

The New Venture Gear 4500, colloquially known as NV4500, is a 5-speed manual transmission manufactured by New Venture Gear and used in General Motors and Chrysler products from 1991 to 2007.

The Ultradrive is an automatic transmission manufactured by Chrysler beginning in the 1989 model year.

5G-Tronic is Mercedes-Benz's trademark name for its five-speed automatic transmission, starting off with the W5A 580 and W5A 330 as core models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZF 8HP transmission</span> Automatic transmission models

8HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its 8-speed automatic transmission models for longitudinal engine applications, designed and built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken, Germany. It had its debut in the BMW 7 Series (F01) 760Li saloon fitted with the V12 engine, and since then each new BMW model in all Series down to the 1 Series in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions have had the option to be equipped with it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana 60</span> Automotive axle

The Dana/Spicer Model 60 is an automotive axle manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation and used in OEM pickup and limited passenger car applications by Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford and Land Rover. There are front and rear versions of the Dana 60. It can be readily identified by its straight axle tubes, 10 bolt asymmetrical cover, and a "60" cast into the housing. Gross axle weight ratings are often lowered by the vehicle manufacturer for safety and tire reasons. They are also lowered to reduce loads on other powertrain components such as transmissions and transfer cases. Dana 60 Axles are also increasingly swapped into many custom offroad applications to accommodate larger tires and deep compound gearing with locking differentials.

9HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its nine-speed automatic transmission models for transverse engine applications, designed by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken and built in Gray Court, South Carolina. It is used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK)</span> Motor vehicle

The third-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) is a mid-size SUV that was manufactured and marketed by Jeep from the 2005 model year through the 2010 model year. It was unveiled at the 2004 New York International Auto Show and subsequently in Europe at Euro Camp Jeep in Ardèche, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)</span> Motor vehicle

The fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) is a mid-size crossover SUV produced by the American marque Jeep from mid-2010 to 2022. It was introduced in 2010 for the 2011 model year by Jeep. The unveiling took place at the 2009 New York Auto Show, where it was very well received and garnered 30 awards.

References

  1. "The 45RFE, 545RFE, 65RFE, and 66RFE automatic transmission for Jeeps and Rams | Allpar Forums".
  2. "Turning an 05-06 Jeep 545RFE 5 speed into a 6 speed | Jeep Garage - Jeep Forum".

http://hotrodlane.cc/New%20HEMI%20Tech/2004%2057%20hemi%20trans.pdf

See also