Tell me what you think...KJ

[Milner]

The PSD is payed off this month, so.....
It is time to get something with 4 doors
So we went and looked at Libertys for Angie tonight.
What are your opinions on them? I like the idea of a CRD, used ones are not really any more than the gas ones....
Prices are more reasonable than I thought new or used....
So tell me why we hould or shouldn't buy one. Pros/cons



No, I will not build this into a crawler....camping and DD only:greg:
Well until it is paid off

 

[mbryson]

I've never even gotten past looking at one to drive it.

 

[AINT SKEERED]

I'd be interested in one if it had the 4oh and I didnt need/want a fullsize.

 

[Nate R]

I have driven a CRD Liberty I really liked the power. They drive good the diesel isn't real loud. I wish I could talk the wife into one.

 

[1993yj]

No, I will not build this into a crawler....camping and DD only:greg:
Well until it is paid off

It could make a sweet crawler... full width 60's, Atlas T-case, AC, maybe some flip down monitors and a PS2 in the back...

Thats my dream at least.

 

[Brett]

Comfy, nice ride....I drove a V6, didn't like the power, but the diesel might be better. I like em

 

[James K]

wouldn't have one even if it was given to me.

I HATE suv's. you want a car buy a car, you want a truck buy a truck.

 

[Herzog]

I drove one as a rental when we flew out to Denver. It was brand spanking new (2006), we were the first renters to drive it.

My impressions: Good little suv. Handles nice and everything feels tight. The interior was realy kinda cool. We were able to fit the kids stroller and luggage in the back hatch and still have plenty of room up in the front.

However, it is severely underpowered. The automatic transmission was constantly shifting in and out on inclines. The mileage was pretty poor as well. I've driven riding lawnmowers that had more horsepower.

Hope this helps... haha.

 

[Bart]

wouldn't have one even if it was given to me.

I HATE suv's. you want a car buy a car, you want a truck buy a truck.

Quit beating around the bush and tell us how you really feel Mr K.

 

[Spork]

I drove one as a rental when we flew out to Denver....

Me too :greg: I drove one from the airport to the hotel and back.
I thought the seat sat up too high, not enough adjustment in it. I thought it had enough power, but I was just on the freeway and in Denver. I liked it more than the Minivan I got for a rental when I was in California...

 

[Brad]

I drove one as a rental when we flew out to Denver. It was brand spanking new (2006), we were the first renters to drive it.

My impressions: Good little suv. Handles nice and everything feels tight. The interior was realy kinda cool. We were able to fit the kids stroller and luggage in the back hatch and still have plenty of room up in the front.

However, it is severely underpowered. The automatic transmission was constantly shifting in and out on inclines. The mileage was pretty poor as well. I've driven riding lawnmowers that had more horsepower.

Hope this helps... haha.

I've had them as rentals a number of times, and I've got to say that the interior is awful, everything is poorly placed and of poor fit/finish. I'll no longer accept a Liberty when offered, I'd rather pay more for a decent rental or take an ecobox instead.

 

[MRJ]

Marc,

You have those letters backwards. It should read JK and low and behold there is a 4 door.

We test drove the CRD Liberty and I liked it. It seemed to have massive turbo lag that might take some getting used to.

 

[Milner]

Marc,

You have those letters backwards. It should read JK and low and behold there is a 4 door.
QUOTE]

Yea, on state wages....I think not

I am leaning towards crd, milage and power i like....

 

[krazz1e]

Pros:
CRD Engine
4 Doors
Coil Over 8.25 rear axle - stong enuf for 32-33" with a locker, widely available parts
np231 or full time np232 t-case
rack and pinion steering
drive great on the highway
does OK wheeling, need upgrades like lift because stock ground clearance sucks. Need full skids, rock rails ect for anything over 3+

Cons:
IFS - ball joint failures are common, a new recall was just issued
Front D30A - the casing is an aluminum casing with steel internals, hard wheeling results in crackage of the casing. It is also has limits on tire size 32-33", not like IFS will let you go much higher anyway. you are limited to locker options.
Jeep unibody
slip yoke on t-case side (can be upgraded)
low hanging control arm mounting points - given max ground clearance 2-3" lift max, you'll bang these up without a doubt.
tranny is from a minivan and is electronic and it is known to have odd shifting patterns, appartently better with the CRD
seats suck

Depends on what you really expect outta it. If you plan to wheel it over 3+ trails then you may be disappointed, but for a DD for the wife and a camping light trails and occasional hard trail, then it's a descent rig.

for more info check out the Liberty Special Owners Team website - www.lostkjs.com

oh, by the way, i had an '04 for 2 years as a DD and a week warrior. It's gone now, i had 2 wheeling rigs and didn't make sense to keep beating up on the KJ when I had many payments left - plus the rover does much better and is 2x easier to work on, say diff carrier, fully boxed frame with coil over axles front and back.

 

[Gravy]

If you have to get the KJ get the CRD and then get a... BANKS DIESEL TUNER!

I hear it makes loads more torque, which will be great when the "wife" drives it.

 

[DevinB]

wouldn't have one even if it was given to me.

I HATE suv's. you want a car buy a car, you want a truck buy a truck.

But they don't make a car with four-wheel drive and has room for a stroller or two, groceries, and can fit baby seats comfortably. And they don't make a truck that gets decent gas mileage, the wife can park easily, and has a cover over the rear so you don't get strollers/groceries wet. Your logic sucks. :flipoff2: :greg:

And there's no way in hell I'd buy a wagon, so don't go there. Well, maybe a Magnum... if it had a blower. :greg:

Devin

 

[James K]

Quit beating around the bush and tell us how you really feel Mr K.

oh, believe me I held back.

 

[Milner]

I hear it makes loads more torque, which will be great when the "wife" drives it.

You don't know the half of it....you should have seen her drive her XJ....

 

[mbryson]

You don't know the half of it....you should have seen her drive her XJ....

Marc, why not a WJ? (late model Grand Cherokee with the solid axle) The newer ones are NICE and comfy. Come with the I6 or the V8.

 

[Milner]

Marc, why not a WJ? (late model Grand Cherokee with the solid axle) The newer ones are NICE and comfy. Come with the I6 or the V8.

Niether of us really like them....never been a grand fan...Sorry Cody

And I am much less tempted to mod a KJ

I am sort of watching for a Disco too, but just can't seem to justify it.