What model year Liberty is the best?

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

I have a 02 Sport with Selectrac currently and want to perhaps to get another Liberty for the wife. I read that the 02 has the stronger transmission and we have not had any problem except the ball joints. I know this is subjective, but I trust many of the members here may have had more than just one model year. We are leaning to another 02 given the lower price. What other model year should we consider? We want to get a limited or renegade version this time .

Is the 02 the best year to get so that I may interchange parts ie bumpers/skids etc?

Are there any other considerations as to what year to get please?

My 02 is going strong but given the age of these, what would I expect to find in terms of other maintenance ie. new transmission, head gaskets?

Thanks!

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 2:23 pm

Some early 03's also had the 45RFE but I've not heard of too many problems w/ either trans. I think it is a wash as to which one is better. I'd just shop based on condition and mileage.
Do know that 04 and later seem to be the ones most prone to window regulator failures though all can have that problem.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:51 pm

Both transmissions seem to be pretty stout. I wouldn't even worry. The 45RFE has a higher torque capacity, doesn't mean that it'll last longer. That is what people (are supposed to) mean by "stronger". There are plenty of 42RLEs out there that are approaching 200k without issues.

'06 and '07 are the ones with the BAD window regulator issues. I've had or had experience with an '04, '05, '06 and '10. Had a regulator go on an '06. No bad regulators on any of the others.

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

Thanks for the reply guys.

Marlon, given your exposure to all these model years, do you have any suggestions on what amenities you would recommend getting or year? My wife wants heated leather seats. I want to have at least the selectrac and am concerned about getting a sunroof as I fear they will leak at some point.

Any feedback on options?

TPMS
renegade trim
17" vs 16" rims
stereo

I am leaning towards the older models since I have some spare parts that match the grill/bumper too.

thanks

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:25 am

CRD only available in 05 and 06.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:11 am

I would suggest a 2006 CRD model as perhaps the pinnacle of the KJ model run. :wink:

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:18 am

I have to admit, the leather seats are LIGHTYEARS ahead of the s*itty cloth seats in my previous KJ. The heated feature has been getting some use lately because of the brutal Winter we are having. The EVIC is really nice, as is the sunroof which allows me to vent the vehicle on a hot Summer day without compromising too much security. The features on my loaded Limited are starting to spoil me.

However, there are some things I hate. TPMS system is a gift from Satan. Everytime you get tires mounted, it costs more. Everytime it gets really cold outside and your pressures drop below the spec...the light goes off on the dash and you hear chimes. If you have a second set of Winter tires or offroad tires you'll get warning lights and chimes anytime you use them. TPMS is a PAIN IN THE ***. I'd keep that in mind. I'm also not a huge fan of the chrome grille, etc. but to each their own.

We've had a 2004 and two 2005s and have had very little if any problem with any of them. My current 2005 has had some issues, but then again it's got 96,000 miles on it too. Overall, I don't think you can go wrong with the KJ...but personally I'd avoid the 06 and 07 models because of window issues and crappy factory warrantys.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 1:09 pm

I'd have to say the '03's are the best; of course, I'm a bit biased :lol:

I've had no issues with window regulators, ball joints, or any other common maladies that the Liberties have suffered over their history. Just turned 123,000 miles and she's still running strong! *Knocking on woood*

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:58 pm

Sounds like you need an '04 Limited. Sorry I'm biased. :p

pinevillekj · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:02 pm

I have owned an 03, 04 and currently an 06. All were sport models as I am a tightwad :lol:

The 06 has been great through 70k miles with two exceptions
1) The cloth seats are crap. Spill a little water and it will resemble 5 gallons of chocolate milk! There are impossible to keep clean.
2) The window regs. I have had 12 window regs go out. When the warranty expired I started proping the windows up instead of "fixing" the problem or I would have had more fail. Thanfully Chrysler fixed all four for free and extended the warranty to 84 months.
Other than that, rock solid!

hooperswish · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:15 pm

pinevillekj wrote:

I have owned an 03, 04 and currently an 06. All were sport models as I am a tightwad :lol:

The 06 has been great through 70k miles with two exceptions
1) The cloth seats are crap. Spill a little water and it will resemble 5 gallons of chocolate milk! There are impossible to keep clean.
2) The window regs. I have had 12 window regs go out. When the warranty expired I started proping the windows up instead of "fixing" the problem or I would have had more fail. Thanfully Chrysler fixed all four for free and extended the warranty to 84 months.
Other than that, rock solid!

DITTO. With the exception of the window regs (which will be under warranty for another 2 1/2 years for me.) the '06 has been wonderful. The 6 speed manual is a blast to drive (unless you are stuck in stop and go traffic.) :rockon:

HoosierJeeper · **Joined:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:23 am **Posts:** 1218

I'd shoot for an 05. Maybe an 04 in a special edition.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 5:02 pm

05 CRD here and no problems that i didnt cause myself like my torque convertor hot tune plus heavy foot equals :grim:

to the torque convertor. But other then that no problems at all and plus MPG and gobbs of torque. CRD all the way just do your research before you buy one ask for service records.

GeoJeeper · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:53 pm

We are the original owners of our 04 and the wife and I both still LOVE it. No plans of getting rid of it any time soon. Over 140k miles and still going strong. Replaced the water pump at abut 40k miles and haven't had any other issues.

StephSH · **Posted:** Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:38 am

I LOVE my '02 Limited, it's got toasty heated leather seats that I wouldnt trade for the world and a sunroof that I've never had any problem with. I use my sunroof all the time. As long as you dont open it when it's freezing outside, you shouldnt typically have any problems with the seal.
No major problems and I've got 225,000 miles on it

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 05, 2011 1:55 am

I would say an 06 CRD Limited. I am biased but I have had no repairs in the year and a half i had mine other than a thermostat. I have had oil changes and diff fulid changes. no window reg issues yet either. most of the money I have spent on it has been mods. I have the TPM system, it didnt cost me extra when I got tires. mine don't ding when it gets cold. it does sometimes say check tpm system or has in the past but it has always adjusted its self in a mile or two not to be seen again for a while. I used to get it in the winter when stuff was all caked with ice or when off road... not seen that since the GDE tune at all. the diesel is diffent for sure but mine has been great so far. the torque and extra milage is nice.

I second the heated Leather seats, they are just great and are getting used hard this winter. I had them in the Outback I traded for the Jeep and I sure liked them in the Roo as well. Nothing beats leather seats until you have had them and known how to care for them you don't know how much better they are compared to cloth. All I do to mine is vacuum up loose dirt at the car wash, wipe them off with a damp cloth and Zymol leather cleaner about every month or so and apply the Zymol conditioner a few times a year. spills and such are easier to deal with... things dont soak in fast like cloth.

stanimals2 · **Joined:** Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:25 pm **Posts:** 16

We have 123k on my 03 Renegade and so far the only problems were all last summer when the ac compressor, heater fan control and one window regulator all went out. Up to then and since then I have had no problems what so ever and it runs great, very dependable vehicle in m y book.

Keep muddin

Stan

bwtucker · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:24 pm

We have an 02 Limited and I am very satisfied with it. Aside from some suspension issues mostly, due to abuse. It's been great. I've had to replace the radiator and water pump. Other than that it's a really strong running vehicle. Pretty much all of my speakers except the dash tweeter are blown but I can deal with that. I tow a lot with it and have yet to have any problems!!

What model year Liberty is the best?

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