Hello. Normally im found in the Ram sections but looking for some help for a friend. My buddy might be trading his four wheeler for a 2000 jeep Cherokee this weekend. It has the 4.7, 4 speed automatic (45RFE?) and it's awd. It has 170,000km (105 xxx miles) on it and the body is mint. I don't have any knowledge of these jeeps and it would be awesome if you guys could help me learn a little more. Are these transmissions a little iffy like the ones mated with the 5.2 and the 5.9? It's AWD but does it have the option of 4HI and 4LO? Are they typcally a good vehicle? Thanks again.

 

The 45RFE is a very solid transmission, and it's the exact same transmission used in the Rams (1500 w/ 6 speed). I had a 2001 Durango 4.7L 4x4 with the 45RFE. That year should in fact have a 45RFE, however, you can get access to a newer TCM with the 545RFE programming, or you may be able to have the current TCM flashed to the newer 545RFE programming.

 

Thanks. Any things to watch out with this motor/ tranny combo?

 

I never had any major issues with my 4.7, others may chime in. I do know that it's very common for the 4.7 to have a slight lifter tick. Other than that, I got nothing, mine was nearly bulletproof.


As far as the transmission, I did have the input/output sensors go bad on me, which resulted in the transmission going into limp mode. Those were a cheap and easy fix. I also had no major issues with my transmission.

 

At what price would he be trading? You said kilometers. Has it been driven in Europe? In a field or mountains areas? Price vs mileage would help to decide better.

 

Hell even mileage doesn't mean much these days so long as the vehicle was properly maintained.

 

The 545rfe was used in Jeeps with the 4.7. The 45rfe was used in Jeep with the 4.0. It's basically the same tranny just with an extra gear. As long as I have owned both of my Jeeps, I've never had a problem (I own both the 45rfe and 545rfe versions)

 

Actually it still has the same number of gears, it's just that the 545RFE uses an extra planetary gear that the 45RFE doesn't utilize.