32RH automatic transmission maintenance questions

[Moab]

My 32RH has 140k miles on it. I just bought this Jeep. And don't know exactly how well it's been taken care of. In all the receipts I got from the PO I think it did receive a transmission flush in 2005(?). Or at least a fluid change. Not sure what the mileage was then. I'll have to dig back thru the receipts.

1) I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to put a cooler on it? And which one if I do?

2) I'm also wondering if a transmission flush is a good idea. The fluid at least needs changed it's dirty.

3) I would like to prolong its life as much as possible. But what can I expect out of a 32RH mileage wise?

 

[Chris]

Yes, put a cooler on it. The DeRale transmission cooler works on the 32RH as well as the 42RLE I believe.

Yes, do a transmission flush.

Usually the automatic transmissions last between 100-200k miles depending. I wouldn't expect it to go much more than 200k miles.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

As a former 32RH owner/enthusiast, that's one of the very best automatic transmission designs to have ever come out of Detroit. Just do a flush and refill it with nothing but ATF+4, no other type of ATF Is the right stuff. If it doesn't say ATF+4 in big letters on the front label it's the wrong stuff.

The cooler I like is the same one mentioned by Chris above, the Derale 20561. I did a writeup on installing it at https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-transmission-cooler-on-your-wrangler-tj.590/

 

[KimsJeep]

I have a question in the lines of the cooler. Doesn't the tranny have a cooler built into the actual radiator? Sorry, I'm very new to Jeeps. Anyway, I want to do some light towing with mine eventually. Plan on possibly pulling a Scamp fiberglass trailer, but only on flat'ish ground. Not planning on taking it up to the mountains or any major mountain grade climbs. Wouldn't just a plain old small transmission cooler work? You know, the type that goes in front of the radiator? Reason I ask, is I can get one of those style pretty much free. Would rather go free then over 300 dollars.

Hope this isn't too off topic.

 

[Moab]

I have a question in the lines of the cooler. Doesn't the tranny have a cooler built into the actual radiator? Sorry, I'm very new to Jeeps. Anyway, I want to do some light towing with mine eventually. Plan on possibly pulling a Scamp fiberglass trailer, but only on flat'ish ground. Not planning on taking it up to the mountains or any major mountain grade climbs. Wouldn't just a plain old small transmission cooler work? You know, the type that goes in front of the radiator? Reason I ask, is I can get one of those style pretty much free. Would rather go free then over 300 dollars.

Hope this isn't too off topic.

I was thinking the same thing, Kim. (And no it's not off topic.) Except my situation is I drive in LA traffic occasionally (not a commuter). And won't be going on mountain roads for another year or so. (Big move planned to the PNW.) And don't go offroading. Or have plans for that.

Two separate ones like you mention - that go in front of the radiator - are in the $100 range. And were mentioned in Jerry's thread:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I could afford a $100 unit in the near future. Considering my "need to do list". And everything else I need to spend money on.

But I'm not opposed to waiting and usually "buy once, cry once". But if these $100 units are in the same temp "range" as the $300 one. Would the $100 ones suffice?

 

[KimsJeep]

I was thinking the same thing, Kim. (And no it's not off topic.) Except my situation is I drive in LA traffic occasionally (not a commuter). And won't be going on mountain roads for another year or so. (Big move planned to the PNW.) And don't go offroading. Or have plans for that.

Two separate ones like you mention - that go in front of the radiator - are in the $100 range. And were mentioned in Jerry's thread:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I could afford a $100 unit in the near future. Considering my "need to do list". And everything else I need to spend money on.

But I'm not opposed to waiting and usually "buy once, cry once". But if these $100 units are in the same temp "range" as the $300 one. Would the $100 ones suffice?

Yah, those are the style I'm thinking of. My hubby works at a tow yard and the scrap cars every week. I could easily get one off of a SUV they are scrapping.

 

[Moab]

Yah, those are the style I'm thinking of. My hubby works at a tow yard and the scrap cars every week. I could easily get one off of a SUV they are scrapping.

That's cool. Aren't you the girl with the connections! I wish my significant other worked at a tow yard. I never thought about that. I could probably find one at a junk yard. But then you don't really know if it has a leak or not. Or how long it's been used. But hey free is free! lol.

 

[KimsJeep]

That's cool. Aren't you the girl with the connections! I wish my significant other worked at a tow yard. I never thought about that. I could probably find one at a junk yard. But then you don't really know if it has a leak or not. Or how long it's been used. But hey free is free! lol.

LOL I'm not sure if I'm the one with the connections, but I can get some parts for free. LOL That is the nice thing, hubby can check for leaks before we pull it out of the vehicle.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I was thinking the same thing, Kim. (And no it's not off topic.) Except my situation is I drive in LA traffic occasionally (not a commuter). And won't be going on mountain roads for another year or so. (Big move planned to the PNW.) And don't go offroading. Or have plans for that.

Two separate ones like you mention - that go in front of the radiator - are in the $100 range. And were mentioned in Jerry's thread:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018B6XDVC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I could afford a $100 unit in the near future. Considering my "need to do list". And everything else I need to spend money on.

But I'm not opposed to waiting and usually "buy once, cry once". But if these $100 units are in the same temp "range" as the $300 one. Would the $100 ones suffice?

A $100 passive (no fan) aux transmission cooler can help, I ran one on my previous TJ, but they don't cool as well in tough conditions as one with a thermostat controlled electric fan like the Derale has.

All Jeep automatic transmissions are connected to a factory installed transmission cooler which is part of but still separate from the radiator. That cooler is usually enough until you start doing things like towing a trailer, climbing long steep grades, low speed rock crawling, etc.

A cool automatic transmission lasts significantly longer than one that gets hot during uses like mentioned above. Heat is the biggest enemy of an automatic transmission.

 

[astjp2]

Yah, those are the style I'm thinking of. My hubby works at a tow yard and the scrap cars every week. I could easily get one off of a SUV they are scrapping.

I pulled one off of a ford SUV, with a little bending it bolted to the grill betwen the slots with 3 bolts, ran some 3/8" hose and done.

 

[P41n]

how much fluid is needed if its just a drain and fill? the manual says 1.5 qts of +4 but the internet is saying 4 qts.? also is drain and fill sufficient?