UPDATE: Looks like I'm heading back to Jeepin' by Al's.....

unclejjg · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:33 pm

Well, I don't know whether or not I related the full story about my trip to JBA's the first time. As fate would have it, I ended up with an interview about 15 miles away from JBA's...so I killed two birds with one stone. Turns out, the company was impressed enough to invite me back...they offered me the choice:

a.) fly down on their dime
b.) drive down on their dime and spend the night at a hotel on their dime

Looking to again kill two birds with one stone I chose option "B". I will be stopping by Marlin's place for the installation of an ARB rear locker, and I will also provide him with an opportunity to get a view of the performance of his lift thus far....and have him install some washers!

So, that's the plan as of now.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:50 pm

sounds like a perfect outing! hope you enjoy!

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:06 pm

Great synergy and great thinking.

unclejjg · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:36 pm

The bottom line is, I hope Marlin can walk away from it with an understanding of how his product is working with the KK (seems awesome to me), and in the end others will benefit if he sees a need to make an update....plus, I think the locker is necessary for the KK...I really do.

My opinion is this: when it comes to off-road capability, the KK is in a class of its own. You've got the Wrangler leading the pack. You've got the FJ Cruiser, the H3, and the Nissan Xterra all following the Wrangler. Then you've got the KK. The KK is a cut above your average 4x4 and heads and shoulders above your cross-overs, but it isn't there with the FJ, H3, or Xterra out of the box.

Why? Two reasons:

1.) ground clearance
2.) lack of rear differential

Basically, by early next week, I believe my KK will perform as well as any of the aforementioned 3 vehicles perform stock. It cost me a couple grand to get there...but what the hell? The way I see it, I like the interior better than all three, and the exterior better as well. I still come out cheaper than an H3, and I probably broke even on similar Xterra or FJ.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:42 pm

and ya get to drive, what ya want, where ya want

and that's what makes it worth it

Boblemoche · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:59 pm

thats great you will love the ARB

you'll get addicted and buy one for the front soon :lol:

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:14 pm

unclejjg wrote:

The bottom line is, I hope Marlin can walk away from it with an understanding of how his product is working with the KK (seems awesome to me), and in the end others will benefit if he sees a need to make an update....

Thanks unclejjg. Good timing. I emailed Marlin last night and am hoping to get my JBA 2.5" lift on order before the end of this week.

E2 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:45 am

unclejjg wrote:

The bottom line is, I hope Marlin can walk away from it with an understanding of how his product is working with the KK (seems awesome to me), and in the end others will benefit if he sees a need to make an update....plus, I think the locker is necessary for the KK...I really do.

My opinion is this: when it comes to off-road capability, the KK is in a class of its own. You've got the Wrangler leading the pack. You've got the FJ Cruiser, the H3, and the Nissan Xterra all following the Wrangler. Then you've got the KK. The KK is a cut above your average 4x4 and heads and shoulders above your cross-overs, but it isn't there with the FJ, H3, or Xterra out of the box.

Why? Two reasons:

1.) ground clearance
2.) lack of rear differential

Basically, by early next week, I believe my KK will perform as well as any of the aforementioned 3 vehicles perform stock. It cost me a couple grand to get there...but what the hell? The way I see it, I like the interior better than all three, and the exterior better as well. I still come out cheaper than an H3, and I probably broke even on similar Xterra or FJ.

Your right! I test drove the FJ, Xterra, 4runner and Highlander when looking at the KK. The FJ has blind spots, but has lots of power. The 4runner is powerful, just not really my style and was $8000 more for what? The Xterra was the worse of the suv's I tested. I did not like anything!! The Highlander was not a offroad suv so that was crossed off the list. The KK is small and $8000-$10000 less then a rubicon wrangler unlimited if I went that way, but too much extra money and not the best for a daily driver or tow suv. The KK is great, wish it was more powerful, but in low4 it does great! And has great technology helping it out. I am looking at putting about a total of $4700-$5000 into my KK thou it will take some time: 4" JBA lift w/ J-Arms / 235/85r16 BFG All Terrians / Roof Rack for my spare tire / Rock Rails / Re-Gearing / Quick-Disconnect. Already have rubber mats and a mobile had radio.

Scar0 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:09 am

unclejjg,
Did you have any issues with having the front aligned after the lift?
I have sent the spec sheet from my local shop to Marlin to look at. They were not able to get all the camber out of mine.

unclejjg · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:43 am

Scar0,

My specs were not perfect, but all were within acceptable range from the factory. The print out had a line for perfect, and then a range that the manufacturer considered "acceptable"...I fell in that range every time.

unclejjg · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:30 am

E2 wrote:

Your right! I test drove the FJ, Xterra, 4runner and Highlander when looking at the KK. The FJ has blind spots, but has lots of power. The 4runner is powerful, just not really my style and was $8000 more for what? The Xterra was the worse of the suv's I tested. I did not like anything!! The Highlander was not a offroad suv so that was crossed off the list. The KK is small and $8000-$10000 less then a rubicon wrangler unlimited if I went that way, but too much extra money and not the best for a daily driver or tow suv. The KK is great, wish it was more powerful, but in low4 it does great! And has great technology helping it out. I am looking at putting about a total of $4700-$5000 into my KK thou it will take some time: 4" JBA lift w/ J-Arms / 235/85r16 BFG All Terrians / Roof Rack for my spare tire / Rock Rails / Re-Gearing / Quick-Disconnect. Already have rubber mats and a mobile had radio.

My key reason for choosing the Liberty over the FJ, Xterra (above and beyond finding it more aesthetically pleasing) and even the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is very simple: Full-time 4x4.

I know there are a lot of people who will argue that the part-time system is better off-road. Perhaps it is true, and I won't bother posing an argument. I think with the combination of good A/T tires, the Brake Locking Differential system, and an ARB locker, my Selec-Trac equipped Liberty will be just fine. However, the selling point is that I like the ability to engage my 4x4 when the weather starts to get a little hairy....not when there is 1" of standing snow on the street. Scratch the FJ, scratch the Xterra, scratch the Wrangler....that leaves an overpriced H3.

unclejjg · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:32 am

Well....the wind has been taken out of my sails....

Marlin called and said that ARB would not be able to get the product to him in time. So, no locker for me...yet. Hopefully, I get the job and then I'll be right down the street from Marlin so I can have various products installed at my leisure.

I will still be visiting him on Monday so that he can look at the lift kit and make adjustments if necessary.

Talk about feeling like a deflated balloon....

hrogi · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:41 pm

If it was me, I would get with ARB and have them research the sold lockers and double check no one has it laying around..

It might cost eaxtra to have it reshipped, but you may find it.
Or get a list of dealers and call them each 1 by 1

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:03 pm

unclejjg wrote:

... Hopefully, I get the job and then I'll be right down the street from Marlin so I can have various products installed at my leisure.....

unclejjg, but won't that put you farther away from your cabin property?

unclejjg · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:04 pm

MtnLuvr wrote:

unclejjg wrote:

... Hopefully, I get the job and then I'll be right down the street from Marlin so I can have various products installed at my leisure.....

unclejjg, but won't that put you farther away from your farm?

ha...yeah...about 4 hours further. Every weekend to every other weekend????

A man has got to work, and its a good job in my industry...worth moving for both the compensation and the experience/resume. Got to think of the future, and if fate would have it, I'll just have to tinker with my Jeep (or more likely have JBA tinker with my Jeep) to keep me busy while I'm down there.

UPDATE: Looks like I'm heading back to Jeepin' by Al's.....

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