Does anybody know the reason that the auto trans offered in the Wrangler has only 4 forward gears? Seems like it would be more efficient with at last a 5 speed.

Heh, mines a 3 bro.

More efficient with more gears, but with less they are less affected by change in tire size, I believe. I personally get pretty good mpgs with my 3 spd. but thats obviously why the newer models have more.

I agree. Imagine how pissed *I* am that my 97 auto only has 3 speeds?!

You would think that Chrysler would have put a more fuel-efficient tranny in the 97s....at leat one with an OD gear to back-off the RPMs

Ill take my 32 RH any day over a 42RH. There have been many complaints over the overdrive not functioning properly

x2

the 3spd also handles bigger tires/lower gears better. and the lock up torque converter is nearly as good as a 4th gear.

x2, in my experience they are bulletproof.

Ditto, that's why I got a 2000 instead of an 06

Guys - How do you know what model auto tranny you have? I have a 97 TJ auto 3-speed, and can't determine what model it is.

And, what does 32RH / 42RH mean?

I maybe mistaken but I swear I have a 97 with 4.0 auto and it's a 4 speed transmission!!!! Everyone keeps saying they are only 3 speed. But god can strike me dead mine is a 4 speed auto!!!!

I just looked at my build sheet and it says 3 speed. But I still swear it's a 4. Is it possible that it was swapped to a 4 speed?

The 32RH was the 3spd tyranny used in the 97-02 TJ, the 42RH was used in the 03-06 tj.

I have a 42rle in my 2005. It's alright. Not the greatest, but not the worst. It's overdrive can be rather odd at times. Otherwise it's been holding up fine. It does get warm though. I plan on an external cooler soon.

http://www.jeepforum.com/wiki/index....RH_/_32RH#32RH

What you think is the 4th gear is actually the torque converter locking up, which means it is at a 1:1 ratio with the engine, no slipping

The aftermarket cooler is a VERY wise decision, and the sooner the better

Can you explain more? I somewhat understand what you mean.

The TC lockup is the only thing electrical on the 32rh and when comp senses rpms and speed is just right it will engage the lockup, which closes a valve in the tranny that allowed fluid to flow through TC which allowed it to slip, or letting engine rpms rise without tranny output shaft rpms rise, just about like a clutch driven transmission

I believe that the 32RH is all hydraulic but I could be wrong

All except the TC lockup solenoid

Without the TC lockup, its a t999

Huh thanks, ya learn something new every day.

Yeah mine kicked the bucket it June and I swapped a new one in, but while the new one was ordered I became a self proclaimed 32rh expert!

If you don't want the to use 4th gear turn o/d off... problem solved?

lots of people use the 42RLE with the overdrive off. problem is it makes the shifts worse in some cases. The OD off switch locks out the TC unlock schedule, so the tranny is always locked up (except when shifting). You lose 400+rpms of revs in 2nd and 3rd, so driving hilly/mountain roads is even worse than with the OD enabled. If OD is enabled, you can usually modulate the throttle input enough to keep the tranny from shifting into OD until ~55mph.

It would be more efficient with 5 gears, but Jeep isn't that smart. Plus on a SWB TJ, shoving an auto tranny in is hassle enough. The 97-02 auto tranny is a 32RH (3-speed, pretty bombproof), the 03-06 auto tranny is a 42RLE (4-speed).

The 42RLE is NOT related to the Dodge Ram/Jeep GC 42RH tranny. It's actually a derivative of the 41TE FWD sedan transmission.

I love my 32RH. with 4.10s and 35s it works great off road and on the highway.

I'm running 4.10 gears also. And what everyone is saying I have the 32rh also. But I'm running 33's. I want 35's very bad but I have the dana 35 rear. What Dana do you have?

The 4th gear you feel is the tranny locking up from the lock up torque converter. Your Rpms will drop like 200-300. Google it

FYI I think I said this about the 3spd earlier but that guy missed it

I believe solman is running a Ford 8.8 he did up.

Do you think having the auto with lock up torque convertor is better? I'm really begging for some 35/12.50's.