So long, KJ.

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:41 pm

Hey everybody. I know I haven't posted here in ages, but I wanted to come by and say goodbye.

This spring my wife was driving the KJ when the transmission started acting goofy and it would only drive forward about 20 feet. I had it towed to a transmission shop and after disassembling it they told me that a snap ring inside had broken (apparently Chrysler used too thin of a snap ring in the 42RLE and they are prone to breaking; replacements are thicker) allowing the internals to shift a bit. This prevented the clutches from seating fully, causing extreme heat build up in a very short time and some of the parts actually melted together. I saw the results and it was not pretty. Needless to say this was going to require a full rebuild. :grim:

The shop quoted me $2500 for the full rebuild. NADA and KBB only valued the KJ at $5000 in perfect condition, and my KJ was far from perfect with LOTS of pin striping and tree-rubbed bumper corners. I hadn't taken the KJ on a trail in about 3 years, and with it getting only 16MPG on the highway and costing me almost $500 a month in gas the wife and I decided that, sadly, it was time for the KJ to go. We headed out to the Subaru dealership and convinced them to give us $2500 for the KJ, sight unseen, as a trade in on a brand new Outback with the 2.5L boxer 4 and CVT.

The Outback is obviously nowhere near as capable as the KJ was on the rocks, but it has amazing all-wheel drive (I've had it in 60mph 4 wheel drifts around curves on dirt roads with complete confidence), and nearly 9 inches of ground clearance to the lowest point on the underside, so it can still take me plenty of places. It has miles of space inside for people and gear, and I can also get 34MPG out of it on the highway with two bike racks on top if I drive nice, so that doesn't hurt.

We were both very sad to see the KJ go. It was our first new vehicle and we developed quite a bond with it. It took us to some amazing places and helped us meet some amazing people. I'll never forget the fun we've had in it, and to this day our trip to Moab with everyone in '05 remains our best vacation ever. Just this past December we drove it from San Antonio to New Jersey and back, with lots of mountain passes on the route and heavy snow at the destination and it never let us down. In hindsight that long trip with its 15 hour days may have contributed to the poor KJ's demise.

We'll miss the KJ, and though I haven't been very active on LOST in a while, I'll miss the friends I made here. We hope to someday get another Jeep and when that happens you can bet I'll be back. In the mean time, happy wheeling and remember to keep the shiny side up! :mrgreen:

P.S.
The parts I was able to pull off before the dealer took it away are available for purchase here: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=63128

candpliberty · **Posted:** Fri Oct 14, 2011 10:19 pm

Sounds like all good reasons to let her go. Maybe another Jeep in the future. Take care of yourself and family. :cry:

infernicus · **Posted:** Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:33 am

Good luck on your future endeavors..
I'll keep passing the HID truths along, lol.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:14 pm

Later Jeremy... Of Course you could bring the Subaru to Moab this spring... :twisted:

Just find someone to build you a 2" lift :SOMBRERO:

candpliberty · **Posted:** Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:58 pm

http://www.funonwheels.net/hirisesubaru/pages/pricelist.htm

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:09 pm

It's been a great ride, FreedomKJ! Always sad to see another LOST member say goodbye, but remember, you're always welcome here. Once LOST, always LOST! Don't forget about us, and stop in once in a while to check in. Happy trails to you and your wife and I hope that Subaru treats you well for years to come!

valvestem · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 222

I read the OP with interest, as I too was in a similar situation back in '09. As much as I like the the old Liberty, it was just too much with the gas mileage and worrying "what next?" for repairs. I went with a Subie Forester. BTW, I got a little more on the trade-in: $4500, in the cash for clunkers deal being offered at the time. I still come back and visit sometimes, just too see what is up and how things are going on the site(s), for Jeep Liberty's I am a member of. Have a quiet winter, and enjoy the 4WD when the time comes.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 5:23 pm

too bad about your KJ but hope you like the Subaru. I traded my 2003 Outback sedan. I loved it but wanted more go anywhere abilities and the CRD does as well or better on diesel as the Outback on gas. I did enjoy the Subaru and it was dependable. Hope you like yours.

if you are looking for a subaru forum try subaruoutback.org the folks there are nice much like here.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:44 pm

It was a pleasure meeting and off-roading with you at Moab `05, Jeremy. Good luck with the new Ru.

So long, KJ.

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