My Liberty Build Thread.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

I have decided to start an official thread over on PNWJeep.com. I figured I would share some of that with you guys.

Here are my intentions as of right now:

[*]Remove or disconnect rear sway bar. Done

[*]Install skid plates. Mopar except for the plastic gas tank, thinking Kilby Edit: Mopar skid plates arrived. and have been installed :cool:

[*]Install rock rails.

[*]Install rear hitch. Done

Here are my longer term goals

[*]Re-gear to 4.10 gears.

[*]Detroit TruTrac in front.

[*]Rear locker, ARB or Detroit.

[*]32" Tires

[*]Bumper made of metal.

[*]Winch

My goal is to make the Liberty able to tackle most of the trails around my state but still be my DD.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

This post actually consists of several posts over the past week.

Well I went to actually do something with the Jeep instead of just talking about it. I break out my 43 year old creeper with the intent of examining my rear sway bar for removal or disconnection. I get down on it and this happens.

Oops

I might need to get a sturdier creeper.

Next on my agenda is a tow hitch. It will primarily be used for a rear recovery point, which is probably more taxing than standard towing.

I saw one at WalMart made by Reese that consists of two boxes that total about $110. Boxes A and B. One containing the hitch and one box containing the mounts. I am a little bit apprehensive about it because it bolts together. Am I just being paranoid?

Tried to remove the rear sway bar today. The bolt is smaller than a Craftsman 3/4" but bigger than a Craftsman 11/16" or Made in China 3/4"
I need some more metric tools.

Got the vibration dampener off.

These shocks are less than a year old and already rusting.

I got my skids today.

Engine, Transfer Case, and Transmission from left to right.

Got my engine and transmission skids on.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:17 pm

MidnightLiberty wrote:

The bolt is smaller than a Craftsman 3/4" but bigger than a Craftsman 11/16" or Made in China 3/4"
I need some more metric tools.

That you do, most everything on the Liberty is Metric. According to my math you are looking for a 18mm.

Khaki-KJ · **Posted:** Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:21 pm

MidnightLiberty wrote:

Next on my agenda is a tow hitch. It will primarily be used for a rear recovery point, which is probably more taxing than standard towing.

I saw one at WalMart made by Reese that consists of two boxes that total about $110. Boxes A and B. One containing the hitch and one box containing the mounts. I am a little bit apprehensive about it because it bolts together. Am I just being paranoid?

I think the hitch from Mopar is not much more expensive than the Reese and it is one piece. It bolts right in and the wiring harness, which is extra, is plug and play. No splicing.

Guest · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:44 am

ihatemybike wrote:

MidnightLiberty wrote:

The bolt is smaller than a Craftsman 3/4" but bigger than a Craftsman 11/16" or Made in China 3/4"
I need some more metric tools.

That you do, most everything on the Liberty is Metric. According to my math you are looking for a 18mm.

You are correct, Sir!

riptricket · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:13 am

You should really check your local U-Haul b/c my brother got his rear hitch there for $75 and it retailed at $150 at the stealership...Just an idea.

Everyone says the mopar skids are crap, but I have them and they work extremely well for what they protect.
What would you rather pay for:
1) A couple hundred for some skids
OR
2) THOUSANDS FOR REPAIRS

I would also suggest getting any Rock Lizard product that you can b/c Marty's products and Jeep-tastic!!! I have the rear bumper and rock rails and I think he makes the best products out there. If I were out of college and had my job, I'd be spending more money to get the Gecko Basket Rack. Just 4 months to go!!!!

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:46 pm

theres something wrong with those skid plates, they have paint on the underside, especially the engine skid! fix that ASAP :wink:

haha

list looks good! cant wait to see the progress! i have a similar list. after each mod im like "only a thing or too left till im happy", then 5 more things pop into my head. as of now, i want an ARB bumper and super-skink sliders, but i know there will be 5 more things later on haha :lol:

Back-n-Black · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:52 pm

Good stuff man!!

I need to pick up a tranny skid cause that is the only one my rene is missing.

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:11 pm

yea when i bought my jeep used, it had all the skids except the tranny skid as well.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

IIRC the tranny skid wasn't added until 04 or 05. You have to mod it to work on the earlier models.

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:44 pm

yea i have one now

3 bolts hold it in, the front gets sandwiched between engine skid and crossmember, using one of the engine skid bolts, fits perfect

htkrph · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:14 pm

riptricket wrote:

You should really check your local U-Haul b/c my brother got his rear hitch there for $75 and it retailed at $150 at the stealership...Just an idea.

Everyone says the mopar skids are crap, but I have them and they work extremely well for what they protect.
What would you rather pay for:
1) A couple hundred for some skids
OR
2) THOUSANDS FOR REPAIRS

I would also suggest getting any Rock Lizard product that you can b/c Marty's products and Jeep-tastic!!! I have the rear bumper and rock rails and I think he makes the best products out there. If I were out of college and had my job, I'd be spending more money to get the Gecko Basket Rack. Just 4 months to go!!!!

i want that basket rack so baaad. :oops:

maybe with the tax return and the stimulus check. :twisted:

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

Today I finally removed the rear sway bar, which was a total PITA. I had to remove one tire to get to the bolt so I rotated them too.

After that was all done I installed the transfer case skid.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

Some no rear swaybar flex shots. I will do the rear bumpstops this weekend, maybe.

MtnLuvr · **Posted:** Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:35 pm

Interesting thread to do progress updates as you go.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

That's what build threads are all about.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:00 am

MidnightLiberty wrote:

Some no rear swaybar flex shots. I will do the rear bumpstops this weekend, maybe.

More realistic picture of what your flex will look like:

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

It was in my driveway after all.

Back-n-Black · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:33 pm

What does you lib feel like now without the rear sway? Do you notice it at all now that it is gone? Thinking of removing mine as it is a SUV and i don't drive it fast or corner hard.

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:39 pm

i had mine off, i liked it, handled nicely still, nice offroad, very smooth, but i decided to put it back on, it still flexes great, and figure it might keep my rear tri-link balljoint from over-stressing maybe

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