Could use some help on Liberty decisions....New guy

smurfsdad · **Joined:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:28 am **Posts:** 2

Hi folks. My wife and I are looking at purchasing a Liberty. I've got a couple questions. Ours will be used entirely for "on the road" applications.
How does the Liberty perform at interstate highway conditions. (cruising at 70-75). Another decision is whether to get a 4x4 or 4x2. Is there a handling difference on normal highway driving?
Is there much of a difference in gas mileage? I think I'd like a 4x2 but I see most dealerships have almost all 4x4's. Must be some reason why.
What physical differences are there between the 2006 and 2007's? We're looking at the Limited.
Sure appreciate any help. We're driving a 2005 PT Cruiser now.

wendell · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:08 am

There are no difference between 06 and the 07's, the 07's are just carry overs from 06 as thier getting ready to change for an early 08 release. It really makes no sense to buy a liberty in 2-wheel drive, you would be better off with a front wheel drive escape in mpg and fwd gets better traction than a rear wheel drive as the weight is over the drive wheels. I truly believe 4x4 is worth having, even if you never use it, because the one time you may need it, it will be worth it's weight in gold, might even save a life. There's peace of mind knowing it's there. It would also give you an opertunity to explore area's you may other wise have never given a thought, good for camping , fishing, hunting, vacations, or just plain site seeing, not to mention bad road conditions. The main reason for buying an suv like the liberty is the 4x4, other wise a fwd station wagon would do just fine, have plenty of cargo space and be more gas friendly. I'm not trying to steer you a way from jeep as they are an awesome vehicle, but the jeep name a lone stands for 4x4, thats thier heritage. A jeep without 4x4, is like a river without water, or a cake without icing, a watermellon without seeds, it's just not natural, it makes an embalance in the universe, may even leave a black hole. JEEP = 4x4, hpoe this helps

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:11 am

smurfsdad wrote:

How does the Liberty perform at interstate highway conditions. (cruising at 70-75).

The Liberty first and formost is a small SUV. The ride is very good for a short wheelbase though... Up to 80MPH my Liberty is very stable and controlable. Turning isn't a problem, but remember that the Cg (center of gravity) is going to be higher than your current PT Cruiser. On windy days at highway speeds there is some bleed though on the side windows and around the door seams (the noise I'm talking about.) My stock tires on cement highways can be pretty noisey as well but overall the Liberty is the most rugged little SUV out there right now. It's strong and does extremly well in accidents (at protecting the occupents)

smurfsdad wrote:

Another decision is whether to get a 4x4 or 4x2. Is there a handling difference on normal highway driving?

This choice is really up to you. I'd make it based on the climate you live in and if you might (eventually) make it off road. The bennefits of 4x2 would be better gas mileage (from reduced weight and less rotating mass.) Maybe better handling? I'm not too sure because I've only had the 4x4 version.

smurfsdad wrote:

Is there much of a difference in gas mileage? I think I'd like a 4x2 but I see most dealerships have almost all 4x4's. Must be some reason why.

My actual MPG is about 15.6 / 15.7 overall. Although, I live in a bigger city and do almost all stop and go driving. On highway trips, I see around 17 - 18 MPG depending on how fast I am traveling along.

I can't help you with the other stuff... but good luck!

wendell · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:27 am

Your highway mileage seems kinda low, I just took mine down to columbus ao 71, all highway, 80 mile trip, and we got 21 and it only has 1,500 miles on it, not even broke in yet, did you swap in 4:10 gears or something ? If my liberty gets that kind of mpg, it won't stay around here long the way my wife never lets the tires cool, So far she's getting 17-18 mpg on her 11 mile drive to work one way, it's a mix of country roads and city. Please don't tell me the mpg will get worse. At oil change time, I'm going with royal purple thoughout the drive train, also want to get an intake and exhaust, not for mpg, but thats usally a side benifit. I didn't mean to highjack, it just that your mpg numbers through me, or should I say, scared me.

LoganSix · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:31 am

I might get boooed for this one.

But, it sounds like you might want to consider a Compass with All Wheel Drive instead of a Liberty. The Liberty isn't a great storage vehicle (the '08 will be bigger) and it's a piggy on gas. The Compass is only slightly smaller than the current Liberty and gets much better gas mileage, will be closer in center of gravity to the PT, but handle better and store more than the PT. And of course, you will have the All Wheel Drive if you do try to take a dirt road down to the fishing hole.

I would also suggest adding a couple of mods to the Compass to make it looks more like a Rally vechicle.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:58 am

wendell wrote:

Your highway mileage seems kinda low, I just took mine down to columbus ao 71, all highway, 80 mile trip, and we got 21 and it only has 1,500 miles on it, not even broke in yet, did you swap in 4:10 gears or something ?

The difference is speeds plays a huge key in the MPG figures. If you cruise around 70MPH you probably see better figures than I do. I cruise around at 75 or 80 (within Michigan) and see about 18... Different driving styles.

wendell · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:28 am

Thanks guy for putting my heart back in my chest, "yeah", we do the posted speed limit, like the trip to columbus, the speed limit was 65, so I set the cruise control and chilled. We live in the country, our roads are 55, not to say were saints and the lib doesn't sneak up to 60 sometimes. When I got my ranger, I was getting 17-18 mpg, then I did alot of mods, used synthetics and after it broke in, I was getting 22 mixed and 24 highway, it's a 4x4 with 4:10 gears and 4.0, but it does have a manual trans and I think that helps. I don't expect to see those numbers on the kj as it's probobly heavier and an auto, but around 20 would be nice and so far, thats where I'm headed. I think full synthetics will help. Thanks for your reply and in away this may help the orginal poster as well.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:29 am

If you get the Liberty with 4x4, get Selec-Trac since it has a Full Time 4WD for the street. If you can find a CRD, you will get much better mileage and the Selec-Trac is standard. If I set my cruise control at 70-71mph on the speedo (actual speed is 68.5 after speedo error), I can get 30-33mpg on rolling terrain...I have the CRD. In town with stop n' go traffic I get 20-22mpg.

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:32 am

A 2002 with the RFE45 get much worse mileage than the 2003s and up with the 42RLE. I know I had both in my family at one time. The 2002 would get 15 MPG and the 2003 would get 18 - 19 MPG under the exact same conditions. Ironically I much prefered the way the 45RFE transmission behaved. My 2003's 42RLE has a couple of bad habits in comparison.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:34 am

If you want something for 70mph plus, you better look elsewhere. I have the shimmy and shutter too at these speeds just like many others do, read the threads like this one:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=14491

You would not want to do sharp manuevers at these speeds either.

I have the 2002 4x2 with 45RFE and get 23-27 mpg on flat hi-way with 3.73's and a PowerCrax noslip. Hills and traffic kick it down to about 17mpg. You get better milage in these conditions with the OD and Cruise control off too.

You want a jeep for your needs? Try the 4x2 commander or the AWD Compass. The compass will kick the piss out of the liberty off road especially in ICE or Snow and gets better gas milage.

Go drive them.

FastTRX · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:24 am

DarbyWalters wrote:

If you get the Liberty with 4x4, get Selec-Trac since it has a Full Time 4WD for the street. If you can find a CRD, you will get much better mileage and the Selec-Trac is standard. If I set my cruise control at 70-71mph on the speedo (actual speed is 68.5 after speedo error), I can get 30-33mpg on rolling terrain...I have the CRD. In town with stop n' go traffic I get 20-22mpg.

Like Darby said...if you go the 4X4 3.7 route...look for a Selec-Trac case. You'll have a challenging time depending on where you live. I know around us that I never even seen one Select-Trac..and I had to settle w/ the Command-Trac (part time case)...which isn't bad but I'd prefer the Selec-Trac. It helps on rainy/slick days when you need the traction as well as when you need 4WD in snow/mud...you wont have to manually put it in 4WD like I have to w/ the Command-Trac. If you get a Lib....you'll have a hard time telling yourself your NOT gunna do some light offroading. In no time you'll want to test the limits of the KJ. Good luck making the decision. Hope you're happy w/ the outcome.

wendell · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:30 pm

I'm old school, I like the part time t-case, thats the way it's allways been and what I've allways had. For a new guy, I can see the benifit of a full time system, less thinking involved, it's just allways there.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

If I was getting ready to buy a new Liberty, I would try to get a 2006 CRD with the Selec-Trac and limited slip. The Selec-Trac actually gives you 2 wd, full time 4 wd, part time 4 wd, and 4 wd low. The full time 4 wd is all I've ever needed so far with mine. Of course the worst I see is 18" of snow, ice storms, or torrential rain. No trail use. It's been put into 4 low twice to make sure it worked. Once when new, and once after the 4.10 gear swap. I would get a built torque converter for it so the torque it makes stock doesn't grenade it, then reprogram the computer for some more power, and put some good tires on it. I think you'd be really happy.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:22 pm

We live in south LA and never see snow we were not looking for a 4wd but the dealer had only 2 '03's on the lot when we looked and both were 4wd
they had 10+ 2wd '04's
we opted for a new 4wd limited with the full time case and love it we do a lot of traveling from here to tenn. and nc we have also been to iowa with it and love the highway ride vs our TJ. As far as fuel cono. on the highway we average 22-24mpg
we do some light trails here at home and love that too we always take the KJ as a couple I think its great to do that
after driving through the smokies in December with snow and ice on the roads and pulling out several stuck 2wd's my wife ,who was driving, loves it and will probably never own another 2wd

good luck but I always tell people to buy 4X4 sooner or later you will love it
if you live near south Louisiana and want to see the fun PM me and I will be happy to take you for ride off road in ours wich has not been modified

hooperswish · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:58 pm

Quote:

The compass will kick the piss out of the liberty off road especially in ICE or Snow

1jferg, you are from texas, so I will give you some slack, but either you had a typo or you are smokin crack. No way in h e double hockey sticks the compass beats the liberty off road and in ice and snow. Please don't come up here to Colorado like the rest of you texans to ruin our slopes. Stay home and play in the vast plains of texas nothingness. Get your facts straight.....
Steve :roll:

the1jferg · **Posted:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:03 pm

Hooper,

Better look at how the AWD on that demon is made. After all, fella, Jeep (AMC) ain't no stranger to 4x4 cars.

:lol:

I've been every where man :lol:

smurfsdad · **Joined:** Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:28 am **Posts:** 2

Thanks folks for all your advice. I'll make good use of it.

LoganSix · **Posted:** Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:03 am

hooperswish wrote:

Quote:

The compass will kick the piss out of the liberty off road especially in ICE or Snow

1jferg, you are from texas, so I will give you some slack, but either you had a typo or you are smokin crack. No way in h e double hockey sticks the compass beats the liberty off road and in ice and snow. ....

I think he meant ON road. As in ice and snow on the highway because of the Compass lower center of gravity.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:21 am

1jferg, Sorry about any insults last night on my post. It was getting late and I was getting tired.
HOWEVER, the libby wins hands down in ice and snow, on or off road. Take snow for example, we can get boat loads at a time here. Lower center vehicles get hung up. Vehicles like the crv and element get stuck for the simple fact that the snow is too deep. A true 4x4 with lo gears win hands down over a awd every time in any 4wd situation.
The compass beats a car, the liberty beats a compass, and the Rubicon tops em all...
Once again, no hard feelings,
Steve
:oops:

wendell · **Posted:** Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:55 pm

I use to wheel the wifes 4x4 escape, I've had it in some pretty nasty places, it did better than you would think and I'm sure better than the compass, but the patriot on the other hand, with the offroad package should do very well for it's class. The patriot was needed in the lineup, it's still an offroad capable jeep with decent mpg. But the compass, time will tell about the wisdom behind that move. The patriot may also be an option for our poster to concider, as it will be a fwd or 4x4 suv with good mpg and cargo space, I'ld take one for a daily driver if I didn't love my ranger so much and need a truck.

Could use some help on Liberty decisions....New guy

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