2008 Model pics - ugly!

Ivan · **Posted:** Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:17 pm

I don't like it, and not changing my mind about it either. Here are some things that stand out in my mind:

I think Jeeps should have their spare mounted on the outside rear where you can get to it easily (not inside like some Cherokees did, or under the rear end like a pick-up.

I also think the bumpers should extend all the way to the wheel wells. This would save cutting the fender flares when getting aftermarket bumpers down the road.

When the KJ first came out, I thought it looked too bug-eyed, kinda like a VW Beetle. I didn't like the look much, and wished it looked more squared off, like the Cherokee. But function is more important than form, and it won me over on it's merits. The look grew on me some since then, but it's still too bug-eyed for my taste. The Imperial ChryslerDaimler HQ must have thought the same thing, and decided to square it off. But they didn't get it right. I guess I could do better.

I agree with those who say it looks like a modified Dodge Nitro. Now the same Jeep comes in three sizes, small, medium, and large (Patriot, Liberty, and Commander).

Ivan.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:02 pm

Guys, MrMopar (our inside man) said on the "other diesel" forum that those might be a Military version. So don't get too depressed.

BioDieselDude · **Posted:** Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:54 pm

Dam, even worse aero dynamics, wont they ever get it? Only reason CRD Libby doesnt get as good mileage as VW TDI is the crappy aerodynamics. Surely they are smart enough to provide more than 9 inches ground clearance and 50+ lower drag...

Maybe they are pulling their designer straight out of grade school! Minimum wage is going up, kidos have a great imagination...

paullgj · **Posted:** Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:58 am

I learned very early in off-roading not to have that spare carried under the body. Flat in an inconvenient place, can't get it off.
Road junk and gravel constantly pounding the under-carriage - spare could be flat and you don't know it 'till you get it off. On my Chevy pickups, I always had a mount made to carry it in the bed. I've seen this all of Mexico, too, with pickups - spare carried in the bed.

So I just bought a Liberty - V-6, 4x4, 6 spd, spare on tailgate, tow hooks - basic requirements for my sort of off-road travel. 20-25 years ago the Broncos and Blazers were like this (well, 4 speeds, and tire mounted inside or on tailgate). Now the Jeep
Liberty and Wrangler are the only ones left.

Small thing for many, tire under the body, but big thing for me not to be on the tailgate. The pics sure made my mind up in a hurry - got the 2007 stick shift. I wonder if that tranny will be the next to go?

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:13 pm

Considering that the Dodge Nitro comes in a manual, I doubt it.

But... question... why is it so hard to remove the spare and throw it in the back if you're going offroad?

Maybe that's just a minor thing to ME.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:52 pm

Lack of space. Many people carry tools, spare parts, and fluids in the back. No room for that spare.

paullgj · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:35 pm

Marlon_JBT wrote:

Considering that the Dodge Nitro comes in a manual, I doubt it.

But... question... why is it so hard to remove the spare and throw it in the back if you're going offroad?

Maybe that's just a minor thing to ME.

There are a number of reasons for not having an under bed spare tire when off-roading. First, miles of highway use splash up moisture and road junk takes it's life on the spare. Second, every under body tire mount I've ever seen, gets banged up, beatean up, and rendered useless when rock-crawling. The "old-time" pickups (50's to early 70's) usually had the spare side mounted either just outside or inside the bed. In Mexico, where I do a lot of back country travel, most pickup owners usually fabricate a bed-mount for the spare. I've also noticed the Ford sells a small SUV there, something like an Escape, with a tailgate-mounted spare.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:31 am

Take the tailgate apart, weld a support plate on the inside of the gate, order a tire mount for an older Liberty, mount it and repaint the gate. Now you have the spare in the back where it should be.

Terry

jzsurfjeep · **Posted:** Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:38 pm

The KK looks good and “manly”, but it lost its uniqueness in the process. I can see a KJ a mile away and have plenty of time for the casual "steering-wheel wave". At first look, the KK immediately reminded me of the Nitro, which isn’t half bad. Oddly enough, I think I’ll miss the rear-mounted spare tire the most – it adds balance to the existing Liberty. The “sky slider” is awesome, though! I’d seriously consider upgrading if the KK allows for (1) a round headlight option, (2) a spare tire mount on the rear tailgate, (3) a larger front wheel well to accommodate larger tires (1.5 yrs & still rubbing!), and (4) a diesel option. Otherwise, I’ll stick with my KJ for as long as possible. Seriously, how hard is it for a manufacturer to offer exterior styling options?

spencevans · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:30 am

I welcome all KK owners with open arms. I hope they enjoy their Libby's as much as I have enjoyed mine. They look like a fine vehicle and they will carry on the tradition very well.

Dutchy · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:30 am

After seeing the official pictures of the KK I nearly got myself a 2007 KJ right away

David Jr · **Posted:** Sun Jun 03, 2007 4:06 pm

Like the looks, Yes. But little else. Just goes to show what happens when you let the Daimler part of DCX become the dominant partner. In a year their gonna end up wishing they had kept the KJ in the line-up instead. :roll:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:40 am

spencevans wrote:

I welcome all KK owners with open arms. I hope they enjoy their Libby's as much as I have enjoyed mine. They look like a fine vehicle and they will carry on the tradition very well.

I agree.

onejohny · **Posted:** Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:21 am

The look could grow on me. I agree with the spare tire mount but that will be one of the first things the aftermarket will go for. I don't like the pushbutton 4 wheel drive. It seems silly on a Jeep especially with a manual...

If you look at the SUVs out there these days, most of them are highway cruisers with no offroading capability. They have blackwall road tires, low molded bumpers, aerodynamic, FWD, crossover looking, luxu minivan station wagons. It's partly due to the new federal regulations on bumper heights. Maybe that's why the spare is gone from the back. Even Jeep Grand Cherokees look like soft highway cruisers. Have you seen the new 4 Runner's?

Other than Jeep, XTerra, FJ and Hummer are the only SUVs that are (or even look) offroad capable. Jeep better make sure it still makes vehicles for it's core market.

I can't even find any legal trails in NY... I guess maybe it makes sense to make the SUVs into luxury wagons.

Offroad capable vehicles seem to be going the way of the musclecar.

marty · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:40 pm

Don't like the front end. If the lights were different it would not be so bad. They just look to big for the body. Other things like tire mount are changeable.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:45 pm

I voted not sure/really. I do not get the point of making the headlights into a comma shaped pod and NONE of them are HIDs or Projector Beams. Seems like a wasted effort in design without funtion. I find it a bit finny that much of the added overall length is in the hood...? Why?

But I will say, just like the 2002 Liberty when it came out...some loved it and others hated it...there didn't seem to be a middle ground. I think the KK is more neutral and will not inspire those type of reactions. It is a nice looking vehicle with some possibilities but I don't think it will sell like the KJ did and be the top selling MidSized Suv.

Sport · **Posted:** Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:33 am

I like the look, it reminds me of the cherokee because of it's square shape and headlights. However there isn't much "jeep" left in the KK.

2008 Model pics - ugly!

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