What To Look For In a KJ??

Monkey55 · **Joined:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 4

Hey,

I've been browsing around on & off for a little while and was wondering if there any things I should look for when buying a KJ.

Here's my scoop. I have 3 Jeeps right now, a WJ, and 2 XJ's. I'm in the process of selling my XJ's so I can get a KJ. I used to off-road from medium to semi-hardcore trails. I'm tired of always working my XJ's. So now, I want a better DD and to be able to do some light to mild/medium wheeling.

It seems that there are a lot of over-priced Liberty's out there. There are a handful of '02's for about $5k, but I'm a little leery about getting the first year they came out. Also, it looks like the suspension sags fairly quickly, 35k miles +. My current Jeeps are Limiteds. However, I really like the looks of the Renegades.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
E

brettacuff · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 8:56 am

I would definitely get one from a private seller. The dealers jack up the up the prices on them it seems. I got my 04 renegade with 90k miles for $7500. There was a recall on the ball joints so check and see if they have been replaced. Good luck

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:21 am

Check carfax and inspect the jeep. There were a few tsbs out for the liberty, but nothing serious. If carfax checks out and recalls are done then its down to the drive and visual inspection. I bought mine nearly blind from a dealer. Got a carfax and I inspected it and bought it that day for more then I should have, but the jeep has been nothing but great to me and has never left me anywhere or got me stuck. But then again I'm not an avid wheeler, although I do beat on my kj pretty hard.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:34 am

No worries on buying a first yeat 02 model. They had the 45RFE tranny which is a stronger tranny that the 42RLE that are in late 03-07 KJs. 02-early 05 seem to have less problems with window regulators than 06-07 models. Regardless of year, don't worry about how much it has sagged. You are going to want to replace springs and shocks on all 4 corners. Can be done for about $650 with all new good stuff. OME Springs, Bilstein, OME, or Rancho Shocks

Monkey55 · **Joined:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 4

Thanks for the responses.

If I get one in the $5k range, I would have a few dollars left over for a couple of small mods. :mrgreen:

I have a D30 Aussie locker left over from my XJ that I would like to put in the KJ. However, I've read that it's not advisable and could crack the D30a housing.

If the springs need replacing, I'll stick with stock height. I don't plan on lifting it for at least another 3 years. I want to enjoy a stock for a little while.

I'll definitely check to see if the recalls were fixed or not.

Thanks,
E

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:08 pm

If you are going to replace springs and shocks, go ahead and just do OME 927/948 combination with new shocks all around. just doing this will net you only about 1.5-2" above stock. Not too tall at all. No UCA angle issues, etc. The ride is much better than stock. Then when you want to really lift it, look into the clevis lift, top spacer, Daystar top plates with 3/4" spring spacer, and extra spacers or isos in the rear. No need to waste money on stock springs to just replace them again in a year or so.

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 3:02 pm

This was the debate I was having since I dont wheel much. Get stock or get OME. I found that stock is almost as much as a frankenlift complete kit but wont last much past 30k miles. Now if I was just going to sell the KJ that may be the route Id go, but Im not and I want my suspension to not crap out sooner then it should.

As for window regulators, some 2006 models are setup like the 05 and older (mine is one of them) so if youre ordering a regulator or getting stieger brackets make sure you know when your KJ was built.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:14 pm

Go OME and enjoy it I did and haven't looked back since. Everyone who has rode in it since has complimented the way it rides. Plus if your getting one for 5K why not?

Monkey55 · **Joined:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 4

Thanks for the responses. I should probably wait until I actually have a KJ in my hands before i start making all this decisions. :lol:

It looks like one of my XJ's will be sold tomorrow. So, that's one more step closer to a Liberty. :BANANA:

Once I have the cash in hand for the XJ, I'll start test driving KJ's... Hopefully this weekend.

I'm taking everything into consideration. The two main reasons I don't want a lifted Jeep is: 1) I'm a stay-at-home dad and I tote around my little boys (2.9 yrs and .9 yrs old.) and it's hard getting them in & out my '99 XJ as it sits today.

2) I really tired of wrenching on cars and I really don't want to have to deal with the alignment and possible vibes. :banghead:

However, I will consider the pros and cons once I get a new-to-me KJ. Having to replace the suspension after 30k miles is not something I'm going to want to do.

E

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:38 am

If done right there will be no vibes not alignment issues.
Many on here have been lifted over 100,000 miles, ( mines been lifted to about the max height over 130,000 miles for example) with no issues esp. so if just going to a regular 2 to 2.5 inches of lift should be no problems

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:09 pm

If all your doing is ome and jba uca's then you'll be fine. Going over the 2.5 is where you'll get into a more intracate setup, but if you're not then its just like stock but a bit higher. Can't comment on getting in and out of a lifted kj, but it shouldn't be too bad.

long_tall_texan · **Posted:** Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:17 pm

For 2-2.5" of lift, you don't even need the JBA UCAs. Should not have any trouble with OEM UCA to spring contact, and a good alignment shop can easily get it into spec.

Monkey55 · **Joined:** Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:04 am **Posts:** 4

Well, I have a major bummer that came up.

The good news is that I test drove a KJ last weekend and I really like them. I love the seating height, the head room, the swing out hatch, the turning radius, the cargo space, and the ride. I was surprised that it had decent power. I was expecting the V6 to be considerably underpowered compare to the 4.0.

The bummer news is that my wife may get a 10% pay cut next year and we have to wait on buying me a KJ. I'm a stay-at-home dad and we rely solely on her income. We can handle the pay decrease, but we just need to watch our spending.

I think we'll know for certain in the fall.

Either way, I'm still going to be lurking around here and reading. I still have my D30 & D44 with 4.56's and 33" Mud Terrains for sale. I'm hoping that will bring in $2k that I can put towards a Liberty.

Thanks
E

What To Look For In a KJ??

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