Most listings sell “the RFE solenoid pack” as one part that fits everything from a 1999 Jeep to a 2018 Ram 3500. Chrysler’s own parts history says otherwise. The pack changed three times across the 45RFE, 545RFE, 65RFE, 66RFE, and 68RFE years, and the connector color on top of the pack tracks the change. Sellers who lump them together are farming returns. Match your color and year here instead.
The four packs at a glance
| Connector | Years | Covers | Key part numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 1999-2003 | 45RFE (Jeep, Ram, Durango, Dakota) | 04799934AB-AD |
| White | 2004-2010 (works through 2018, see below) | 45RFE, 545RFE, 68RFE diesel from 2007.5 | 05170877AA-AF, 52119435AF |
| Gray | 2011-2018 | 68RFE diesel plus 65RFE/66RFE gas | 68002342AD-AG |
| Blue | 2019-2020 | 68RFE 6.7L Cummins only | 68456067AA |
Pop the pan or check your service records; the connector color sits on top of the solenoid pack inside.
What actually changed
Black to white (2004): the early 45RFE pack uses its own separator-plate design. The 2004 redesign is a different part. A black-era truck can move to the later design only with the matching plate work, so treat 1999-2003 as its own world.
White to gray (2011): Chrysler deleted the overdrive solenoid. The white pack carries 6 shift solenoids plus line-pressure control and HAS the overdrive solenoid. The gray pack runs 5 shift solenoids, no overdrive.
Direction matters here, and this is where buyers get burned:
- A white pack drops into 2011-2018 trucks fine. ATRA’s own service bulletin covers the forward compatibility.
- A gray pack can NOT go backward into a 2004-2010 truck. The missing overdrive solenoid is not optional on those calibrations.
So if you find white packs cheaper than gray, a 2011-2018 owner can take the deal. A 2004-2010 owner has one correct answer: white.
Gray to blue (2019): the 2019 refresh moved the torque-converter-clutch solenoid outside the transmission. The blue pack (68456067AA) serves 2019-2020 6.7L Cummins trucks only, and the external TCC solenoid is a separate part. Nothing earlier accepts it, and it accepts nothing earlier.
Match by engine too
The gray years split by engine family: 68RFE behind the 6.7L Cummins in Ram 2500/3500, 65RFE and 66RFE behind gas engines in 1500s and Jeeps, 545RFE finishing out its run. The gray pack covers that whole 2011-2018 spread. Diesel or gas, the connector color still rules.
Before you buy any of them
- Confirm your transmission (68RFE vs 66RFE vs AS69RC; the Aisin AS69RC behind some HO Cummins trucks uses none of these packs).
- Match connector color to your year using the table.
- Read the part number printed on the pack if you have the old one out.
- Send us your VIN if anything disagrees. We check before you order.
On the shelf now
We keep the RFE family stocked as separate, correctly-split listings rather than one catch-all: 45RFE / 545RFE / 68RFE solenoid packs, valve bodies, and pumps. Every listing states its connector color and year band in the title.
Not sure which pack your truck needs? Call 931-264-5429 with the year and engine. Takes two minutes and beats a freight return.