Yep. Put it in 4Lo and you can pretty much idle over anything.

ok.....
offroad comparison here.
in the midwest, there is a big group of guys in a club - we've gone offroadwith them a couple of times - a good setup on an x performs darn good - the only diff I saw while running on trails was the wheelbase lenght - x is a bit longer so on tight turns there was a need for more more maneuvers - besides that - all same... I saw two of them setup pretty good.

linky: http://www.midwestxterraowners.com/

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I'd personally go for the Xterra as well. All the car review mags and sites are giving top reviews for it and the FJ cruiser. The Xterra of course costing much less, and doesn't look ugly.

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2004 KJ Sport 4x4 - Maroon
235/70/16 Firestone Destination A/T
T-Case and Engine Skids
Husky Front Liners
Escort PASSPORT-X50 Radar hardwired HIGH
ALPINE 9857 w/ full iPod controls
Infinity BassLink I Sub

I have a 05; Renegade, and I off-road with a good friend with an 04' X-terra. Overall, I was very impressed with the x-terra for it's off-road capabilities. It has great stock ground clearance, better than the liberty by far! I have my liberty lifted now, but spent quite a bit of time in Moab with the liberty off road before it got lifted with my friend in the x-terra. Here's what I noticed about the different vehicles. The x-terra's ground clearance was better than the stock liberty, so he didn't scrape his undercarridge as much as me in my liberty going over rocks and ledges. However, going up and down steep hills/slickrock, the liberty has MUCH better entrance/exit angles. There were times he pushed dirt with his nose and scraped rock with his tail going down steep inclines, and the liberty didn't touch at all.

So, I would say the type of off-roading you're doing should help determine which vehicle you get.

X-terra is good for:
road trips with lots of gear
off-roading where clearance is more important than exit/entrance angles
more on-road driving than off road

Liberty is good for:
Steep inclines because it's great entrance/exit angles - Moab kind of stuff
maneuverability - the turning radius is WAY better than X-terra

Go X-tera, I wish I had. the Lib is just a basic vehicle w/out mods. 4wheel drive yes, it has it but thats about it.Performance not impressed, awful in the rain even with revos.Wish I had bought something else. Anyone can mod a vehicle and say it's better than another. The Lib is small and can go under fallen trees and thorugh narrower trails. I have done this plenty of times, but whats the big deal,woohoo my car is tiny and can fit down a small trial.and then i had to back out of the trail because I couldn't go over a fallen tree because my clearance was so low. .yaya, i should lift and then see if i could do it..)Whoopty do.. Go for functionality,space and all around performance. This whole site is dedicated to modding the KJ to contend with other vehicles .Why not get a stock vehicle to begin with that can handle high clearances, lockers,more space packing,power and standard options.KJ= You have to lift, bigger tires,skids, blah,blah,blah. All in all you need to mod it out to be happy with it IMHO. I grabbed my used Lib Renny for the price of a sport because the dealer messed up. That's why i got it, for the price.If i was to do it over, i wouldn't have. The Lib is awful on gas and without lockers it's not that great off road. I got it for a daily driver and to fool around offroad. I had to take the runningboards off because it would snag everything in it's way due to low body clearance.. You see more and more high school kids on this board that just bought a Lib as there first car what does that tell you.(no offense to these kids, good for you for working your butts off's during school to afford a car payment) but what does that tell you. They are throw away vehicles, they don't keep there value.I wish I had bought something w/ more clearance from the get go instead of worrying about lifting it. ( lifting it 2 and 1/2 inches, woo hoo, big deal, its not worth the time nor money.great now you have it lifted but it still can't go anywhere because one of the wheels donesn't have traction so the one in the air spins..) Now you have lockers but you just tore out your transfer because you did't have under body protection be cause it's still rides to low..If i wanted to Mod a Jeep i would have bought a Wrangler..The Rennny is a joke, So if you plan on using it for the fam go X-tera. I wish i had..Because w/ the options you speak of it will still beat a lib off road by any means w/out mods. except for going down smaller trails and lower heigt clearances.I'm sure i will P.O alot of peep's on here stating this but that's just my 2 cents. I can't wait for my next vehicle.Although i know my trade in value will be down the drain. I'll stop now, just not that impressed with the KJ stock compared to other stock vehicles out there.It is suppose to be a Jeep. i don't think i'm the onle with these feeling, and i'm sort of surprised about the nombr of folks who stated get the X-tera in this thread. MattyMac Nissan North East sale rep...only kidding...Peace.

What do you mean driving in the city 2k rpms going anywhere? Are you the reason for the traffic issue i have been experiencing. You are getting more off road tires why? I don't get it? From driving in the city 2k rpms going slow over pot holes? A 87Honda civic could go anywhere in the city not pushing 2grand?????? I'm not trying to be wise,just asking what you mean?

mattymac1
I dont know who pooped in your wheetys but that was mean
first all the gripeing about low clearance or bottoming out so what that is what skids are for and they come from the factory ,as an opp. yes, on the KJ
as far as saying that all these others like the FJ and the xterra are better is more a matter of oppinion
I have yet to wheel with an X but I have with an FJ and with my wifes bone stock KJ I could follow him any place he went
and yes he has the fancy lockers and all that but true driving experance he has about 3 months to my several years

I would rather sit my fat butt in a nice plush leather seat with my AC blowing and just take my time ,slow go 4low, down the trail then to ride in something with a hard seat that is 2 inches off the floor like the X or the FJ

You shoul look at the pics I post I am not only 1 of 2 KJ's but I am the only STOCK jeep most of the time and I have no problem following moded TJ's
so if you want to down stuff go for it but rember that some one like me will dissagree and say that it is driver not rig and I have the pics to prove it

and if all you want to do is go off road then by a TJ

When I was buying my KJ about a year ago, both the KJ and X were at the top of my list. Only reason I bought the KJ over the X was I found one used with the options I wanted, for a price I wanted to pay. It was my experience, the X were selling for much more $ then the average KJ. You could say they have a higher resell value then I guess but I was the buyer, not the seller, and I tend to drive my cars until the doors fall off so I could careless about resell value. Go with what you want and can find. They are both nice SUVs.

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Rusty's 2.5 Coil Lift
245/75/16 Goodyear DuraTrac
L.O.S.T Midwest #058429

Oh snap! You let loose didnt you! I read all of your post, but its just opinions. You can say all you want and I hope you think your right. The way I look at it, a rig is built, not bought. I have a locker, I have a lift, I have skids, I have tow hooks, I have good offorad tires, what else do I need? My bumpers are already nice and high so they dont get caught when Im going up or going down steep hills. My turning radius is awesome, my mpg is the same as a xterra. I dont get it?

How much does a honda weigh? I can peddle my little bike at 2krpms with the correct gears, but I wouldnt be getting much done.

Im getting different tires b/c the generals weigh to much and rub. Im downsizing and going with a different brand if you really need to know.

Ohh, and no Im not the slow one. I usually beat everyone to the next like thats just 200 feet down the road. If you want hot rod then lock up the brakes like focker did on meet the parents, more power to ya.

Good day!

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

Heck, I didn't even look at any other brands. I wanted to off-road, so I bought what was made here in Ohio - a Jeep. Family size dictated a KJ rather than a TJ... As for which to get - I think evryone has an opinion, but make sure you can be happy with what you get. The last of the good deals is not gone.

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
+
2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop

MattyMac1....Sell your KJ. This board offers tons of help for other things other than mods. You sound like you're in a bad mood. Fine, we all have our days. You ripped another KJ in another thread because of the hood scoop. Seriously, you can disaggree but what makes this forum great is keep the opinions positve whether you like something or not. Remember it's not your KJ. I know my KJ has some drawbacks. I know other off road vehicles perform better. I picked my KJ and I love to tinker with it. You don't, that's ok.

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2005 4x4 Sport
Yakima Low Riders
Hidden Hitch
MOPAR tow hooks
RL Skink Step Sliders
Magnaflow
3/4 armored
235/70/16 Grabber AT 2
and a lot of little stuff...

You have to remember when the the older X came out it had an anemic engine, no locker and the transfercase was 2:1. The early KJ had more power, no locker and the transfercase was 2.7:1. The X was bigger in overall dimensions...the KJ was smaller in overall dimensions. The X did and still does have better ground clearance stock than the KJ. The Kj has a better approach, departure and breakover angle. Neither has stellar MPG ratings.

Now the X has upped the ante with a 265 horse/244# torque engine and a locker. The KJ (when I traded in my old one) has the CRD with 295# torque and Traction Control.

If you lift the KJ, upsize tires add a locker/real LSD, you will have everything the X has (except interior room in the cargo area) and a little more nimble KJ (tight stuff) with a better crawl ratio from the stock TransferCase.

Basically they both have thier good and bad points...most can be fixed with pretty simple mods. The biggest (pun intended) advantage the X has is the size of the stock wheel openings and a "body on frame" design which allows for a body lift. The biggest advantage for the KJ is its smaller dimensions including hangover front and rear.

XOC Forums have most information you would need on a X...I am Camo Datsun over there...

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
Drag Strip:Reac=.1078_60ft=2.224_1/8=10.39@64.8mph_1/4+16.46@80.8mph

When I Searched for a small 4x4 back in 2004 I was determined to buy the xterra and was only waiting for a sale,Then the local jeep dealer had the libby's on sale 4k cheaper than the x,Well I bought a 5 speed sport added a rusty's coil lift,skid plates and better tires and still saved a bundle over the x,Also my buudy who picked up the nissan at about the same time has nothing but major problems with - He loses antifreeze thru the head gasket entering the combustion chamber,been fixed twice. I enjoy my KJ now more than ever-No problems in 3 years.

The new xterra is quite large and really isn't the same as the older ones,I wonder how the new KJ will compare in size.

When I bought my KJ I was looking for something that would tow about 4-5,000 lbs and get the wife and kids around with me some. Also needed 4x4, and ~20 MPG. so I looked at the X and KJ. The CRD and Jeep name sold me on the KJ. Haven't looked back. Love my CRD , hate the EGR .

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LOST #-169388
'79 CJ-5
32x11.50x15
304 V8

'08 Chevorlet HHR
Victory Red
Stock for now.

Hi, I was in a bad mood and i apoligize, forum rage??? But I do have my own opinion and i stated that in my post. All i can say is sorry.. i do come on the forum alot and try to help out others with the minimal knowledge i have and gain plenty from reading other posts.. I had an extremely bad night and should have not commented on anything..Someone should have taken the keys away before I tried typing.. Insert foot into mouth

Lol, its aight, we all have bad nights..

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LOST KJ'S
Where are you going???
Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
-Air Ride Rear Suspension ; OME/Rustys Lift ; Powertrax Locker ; Moog Lower Ball-Joints ; 245/70/16 Yokohama Geolander A/T-S's on MOABS ; Flowmaster 50 SUV
Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

Well, thanks to everyone for your input.

I'm really surprised with some of your posts.

Let me tell you that in Mexico things are quite different talking about
costs.

Brand new XTerra 4x4 SE package US$ 36,000 (off-road model not for sale anymore)

Brand new KJ Limited 4x4 US$ 27,000 (no Renegade for sale here).

About mods, that's horrible too:

Skyjacker lift : US$ 900
Mopar tow hooks US$ 165
And almost everything doubles its cost when it arrives to Mexico (if it ever arrives).

Thats why an 05 used XTerra (off-road model) for US$ 25000 sounds like a big deal.

And you're right, its unfair to tell if one is better than the other,
is what works better for you that really matter.

I don't intend to do hard-core off-roading, If I were planning to,
I were looking for a TJ instead. I won't be searching the trails as an objective itself,
instead, what I want is to get places that are difficult to reach, where the crowds don´t get,
for hiking, camping, just staring... mountains, beach, anywhere... Towing an ATV trailer,
a horse trailer (in the future). And the very important part of these is
NOT getting stuck everywhere and plenty of confidence in my rig.

So, the features I find more useful on a SUV for my needs are:

- 4wd with 4lo of course.
- Ability to climb steep and slippery hills (lots of them in Mexico).
- Capable of dealing with mud (Here it's rainy 7 months a year).
- Versatile vehicle (for on-road as well as off-road, I only can afford,
maintain and keep in the garage just one).
- An SUV that lasts for years (as Science_guy posted, until the doors
fall off).

And from these, know for sure that whatever I choose will be right.

But, what I'm really concerned in is about quality. Let me ask it in another way:

Who offers better engineering, Jeep or Nissan?

Let me say that almost everything I've learned about my KJ comes from
this forum, even bad things.

At the beginning, this question had only one answer: Jeep, no doubt.

But after knowing issues about UBJ's or weak front differentials that
get broken, I have to ask.

On the other hand, what about reality? I mean, specs are one thing and
magazine comparison reports are stupid for me, but in the trail, from those
of you wo have seen both of them (and many of you who has ansered my
question already told it) I can see that KJ, with less ground clearance,
less HP power and less torque performs really awesome, perhaps because it's
overall design is better and that's what really counts. After all, is a
product made by those who many (including me) consider the real experts
off the road.
Did I misunderstand?

Again thanks to all, every point of view is being taken into account and
really appreciated.

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2006 Limited 4x4 Silver

I know this has been said already but both are great vehicles. I have ran my Libby stock and modded and I ran with a whole bunch of Niss. not only the X. The event was the Nor-Easter at Paragon and Rausch Creek and for a lot of those guys it was the first time they had run with Libertys.

I had also drove the crap out of the Libby on the road as a DD. So, there were items that went bad. When I traded my 04 Renne for my 06 Rubicon it had 70K miles on it a dent under the drivers door a busted rear tailight from a tree the weekend before, a dent in the rear door from being rearended, and a screwed up rear bumper from other trees not to mention the major penstriping.

After all of this I still miss it. I don't know how much abuse the X can take but I know first hand how much the Libby will take.

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"CHROME DON'T GET YOU HOME" "Just because I don't care dosen't mean I don't understand" Homer J. Simpson

Webshots

What Chris said.

All companies will have vehicles that have problems no matter what the brand and what the model. Also, if you ask about what`s better on a vehicle centered website, a vehicle from that forum type and the competition, its a no brainer that you will get mostly posts that say stay with this brand and not the competition and that the competition will get slammed.

The bottom line is go with what you want. Both vehicles will last and also do the job. No matter which route you go, you may have problems, you may not. It happens sometimes. If money is an issue and you want to save, it looks like the KJ is what you will probably get. If money isn`t an issue, then flip a coin if you can`t decide. You`ll win either way

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My `04 Atlantic Blue Rocky Mtn Ed.
My Webshots Page

EX-Vice Pres. Mid Atlantic Chapter
L.O.S.T. Moderator

Rusty`s Lift, all armor, BB`s, locked, and tons more stuff...and more to come

I'd definitely get a Carfax report on that truck. That's a big price drop for one year and only 3k miles of use. If you can't get a Carfax about vehicles in your area, I think I'd steer clear of this vehicle. Not because of manufacturer, but because of the price. When it's too good to be true, it usually is.



Both trucks will perform this function really well. The X has more useable cargo room behind the rear seat though.



Get a KJ CRD for towing. Don't want diesel, I'd probably pick the X because it has a frame design for towing then...unless it's torque numbers are lower than the KJ.



Go out a lot. Getting stuck WILL happen in either truck if you go out. The key to not getting stuck is practice and a good spotter.



I think the X has 4-lo now. I know the KJ does.



The locker in the X gives it a huge advantage here. But the approach and departure angles of the KJ will make it a LOT better for the "steep" part.



Again, the locker in the X gives it a huge advantage here.



The KJ has great manners onroad. I think it feels less "tippy" than the X's I've driven. But I've not driven an 05, just 04s and prior. I think you're best off driving them both and making your own on-road determinations.



Take care of it. Every manufacturer makes a bad vehicle here and there. If you take care of it, it will last longer.



Good luck with this one. If you're looking for a vehicle that you can sit in every day and never wonder "what if" then you're going to be in a moon buggy or something, 'cause I don't see it happening on this planet. Making an informed decision is your best start (which you've already done). Drive the heck out of whatever you want to buy. Take someone with you that can stand outside the truck and listen to it go by. Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic to give it a good once-over before you buy it.



I like them both. They've both been making vehicles long enough to still be in business. Is there anyone left that makes a vehicle that SUPPOSED to last 25 years? No. Go with the one that makes you smile and you'll be doing great!

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