Liberty or Grand Cherokee for the following use

glennw89 · **Joined:** Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:00 pm **Posts:** 1

Hello all. Considering the purchase of a 2005 - 2007 Liberty or a 2005 - 2007 Grand Cherokee. I will use it to tow relatively light loads (under 2000 lbs), drive it on lots of poor roads in the Canadian woods (but no TRUE off roading), and go hunting, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, etc. I want a tough, reliable 4 x 4 that doesn't have lots of "gizmos" to break and I want a vehicle that I can throw my mountain bike or hunting gear into and then be able to clean it out pretty easily - no leather here.

Any info would be appreciated.

Lancer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:13 am

They are both excellent vehicles for what you want to do. The Grand will obviously have more room inside, but both are more than capable of towing the load you require, over the sort of roads you want to drive. The Sport liberty doesn't have leather - but you might want to fit seat covers - I think Smittybilt at least does neoprene covers, but there are undoubtedly more manufacturers! I don't know if the Grand comes leather free! The liberty also has relatively restricted ground clearance - but as you'll see on here, that doesn't stop it getting where you want to go! If it worries you, fit OME suspension, which is both a big improvement over stock, and gives you about 2.5 inches of lift. If it's any reassurance, a young couple took a stock liberty (called the Cherokee over here) overland from London to Delhi, without any issues, going over some VERY rough roads and conditions. The Grand is equally as capable.

As to "gizmos" - the unfortunate situation is, that owing to increasingly onerous emissons and safety etc regulations, ANY modern offroader will have a lot of electronics onboard - engine management systems,abs etc. If you don't want that sort of thing, you'll have to get a vehicle AT LEAST (I believe) 15 years old - and that'll bring it's own set of potential problems!

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:20 pm

If you go for a 2008 Liberty, you can get extra cargo room in the rear with the sligthly longer wheel base.

iMTB · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:27 pm **Posts:** 273

I test drove both when I was looking to buy. I liked driving the KJ best out of the KJ, KK and WK. I wished that I would like the WK the best because I love the way they look. The KJ just feels way sportier than the others.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

are you as stick shift kind of guy? then the KJ is the only choice between the two
want a less "gizmo" 4x4 system? again it's the KJ.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:11 am

the liberty is nice because it comes in a stick (less automatic gizmo)... and has a true 4x4 lever engaging transfer case.. which i like more over the 'push button' or 'full time awd' the grands had. also you can most likely find a KJ for much cheaper then a grand. KJ's also seem to have a sportier feel to them.. where a grand has more of a car type feel.... very smooth and nice to drive though.

either way you cant go wrong. but my vote would go for a KJ. CRD (diesel) would be VERY nice... but only come in autos with leather.

as far as mountain biking... my cannondale will fit inside with my rear seats down without taking any wheels off. but it's a tight fit. However the spare tire on a KJ is a great place for a bike rack.

sota · **Joined:** Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:44 pm **Posts:** 379

also, the turning circle for either (2006-spec)
GC: 36.7'
Liberty: 35.9'

it never ceases to amaze me how nimble the liberty is in a parking lot because of it's turning circle... or backing up a trailer!

irollgen4s · **Posted:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:42 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

either way you cant go wrong. but my vote would go for a KJ. CRD (diesel) would be VERY nice... but only come in autos with leather.

My CRD limited has cloth :goink:

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:34 am

If its those years Id take the KJ over the WK unless you need the room for say a family. But all else the KJ is a better pick IMHO. Now if you wanted to go a bit older to say a WJ Id say get that over all 3. :JEEPIN:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:28 pm

irollgen4s wrote:

2006 KJ wrote:

either way you cant go wrong. but my vote would go for a KJ. CRD (diesel) would be VERY nice... but only come in autos with leather.

My CRD limited has cloth :goink:

My CRD Sport has leather :goink:

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:24 pm

I guess I should have stated if youre going with a v8 take the GC. But if youre only looking at the 3.7 v6 my previous statement stands.

Ajamant · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:16 pm

Either one is a great choice. I love my CRD Libby and test drove a grand recently. I was very disappointed in the interior room. I thought it was going to be much roomier than my Libby, but it wasn't.

Get a CRD :pepper:

Liberty or Grand Cherokee for the following use

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