Offroad capability!

hrudu · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:20 am

I am going to buy a 4x4 jeep liberty soon.
It should be my first truck ever and I would like to go offroading with it, never do it before

!
My question is which model has a better offroad capability, Sport, Limited or the renegade?
And why hardcore offroaders prefer manual transmission?

Please help me make a decision!

I can't wait

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:39 am

They are all the same.....except.....

If you mean go straight from the show room and out to the trail, then the Renegade because the Reny has skids and rock rails.

But, those stock rails and skids are not hard core and there is no tranny skid on any model. Better than nothing at all though.

You would save money buying a Sport and getting the better mod rails and skids but you won't get the look of a Reny.

kickit_in4wheel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:50 am

Tough call. I'd say renegade because of the equipment that tends to come standard with it, but then you can't get it with the diesel, which has more torque. I'd say they are all pretty close to the same, as long as you make sure that you get stuff like skids, trailer tow package, and tow hooks as options.

Rick

Myke · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:56 am

in this order

CRD
Limited
Renegade

I put the limited before the reney because I like my leather seats

blackjeep · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:16 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

But, those stock rails and skids are not hard core and there is no tranny skid on any model. Better than nothing at all though.

my renegade came with a tranny skid, all 4 skids come with the skid plate group along with 3 tow hooks and this package is standard. also it all comes with the off-road group as well, including some other items.

i also got leather heh.

so far my score is:
bugger rocks 0 - mopar skids 1

but im just a beginner

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:33 am

Myke wrote:

in this order

CRD
Limited
Renegade

I put the limited before the reney because I like my leather seats

My Reny came with Leather seats also and I have the roof lights and fog lights. That would put the Limited below the Reny.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:53 am

Tokyojoe wrote:

Myke wrote:

in this order

CRD
Limited
Renegade

I put the limited before the reney because I like my leather seats

My Reny came with Leather seats also and I have the roof lights and fog lights. That would put the Limited below the Reny.

Agreed, I ordered my Renegade with a manual transmission, heated leather seats and fog lights.

There's not much difference between the models as far as offroadability. The Renegade comes with the option for wider tires (235mm instead of 225mm), but you can add larger tires to any Liberty. Same with tow hooks and skid plates, they can be added to any model. I think the ground clearance is actually LOWER with a 4x4 renegade, but that's because of the skids.

I say pick whichever model you like the look and options of:

Sport: Grey plastic fender flares, rounded "eyeballs" hood. No Fog Lights (but ugly holes where foglights belong)
Limited: Body-colored fender flares, fog lights, rounded "eyeballs" hood
Renegade: grey plastic "bolt-on" style flares, flat hood, bumped-mounted fog lights.
Rocky Mountain: body-colored flares, flat hood, no fog lights (but no ugly holes)

If you want a CRD, you have to get a Sport or Limited (CRD not available in Renegade or Renegade Rocky Mountain)

If you want a 6 speed manual, you have to get a Sport or Renegade, manual isn't available for the Limited.

If you want a lightbar, you have to get a renegade (or add one on afterwards, but it's more expensive that way).

If you want leather or heated leather seats, you have to get a Limited or Renegade.

If you want a lightbar AND heated leather seats, you need to strike a deal with your dealership - the factory won't install both, but the dealership can do it on delivery, so try to get them to include it in the price.

Keep in mind that a lot of these options are hard to find even if they are available. You may not find many renegades with leather even though it is an option, same with the manual transmission. I say pick out a list of "must-have" options and a preferred body style (flat hood or girly hood) and go from there.

(Correct me if I'm wrong on any of these, this is what I remember from ordering mine)

zeero · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:35 am

My Renny came with everything....except leather seats (don't like 'em) plus its lifted with MTR's....oh yeah it has a Tranny skid to.....so my vote? My Renny. :lol:

Honestly though I would say the renny out of the box simply because it comes with skids and rails (regardless of their quality), and comes with an "off road" package which includes a little more aggressive tire. :wink:

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:56 am

Limited is NOT as good for off road because it has body color painted fender flares which get scratched and torn up easier...it has 17" wheels with less tire sidewall...and they usually don't have the off-road package.

Renegade has rock rails, tow hooks, skids, 16" wheels, fog lamps, etc... So it's a better suited machine for off-road.

I like the Sport for the diesel torque personally...

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:21 am

I would vote for the Sport just because you can get more thing later because it is less expensive. The fenders are gray plastic so they won't scratch. Realistically, it really comes down to personal preference. The biggest difference between a manual trans and an automatic trans is the towing capacity; the auto is rated at 5000 lbs and the manual is rated at 3500 lbs. Manual transmissions give you a bit more control off-road but require a bit more skill. To get to the places I normally wheel, I spend about an hour climbing into the mountains which tends to cause the auto trans to get very warm and the trans temp light comes on; this wouldn't happen with the manual. Just a few things to think about.

fireman1028 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:38 am

I have to vote for the CRD.

crawling over darn near anything in 4-low (idleing)

Man I cant wait to go to Uwharrie this weekend

krazz1e · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:57 am

Sport because you can bust up the fenders scrathing them and they don't look ugly afterwards.

If you are going to offroad you're probably better off starting with no skids anyhow and buying the heavy duty ones... I am bias tho cuz I have a sport :lol:

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

My sport came from the factory with skid plates, bumper fog lights, tow package, cruise, air, selec-trak, trak-lok. I don't think there's a real difference in off-road capability between the models, just a matter of whether you want lights on the roof or leather seats or whatever.

Mine's an 03 though, so maybe there's a difference with the newer models. But one thing definitely for sure: Sports look cooler. :twisted:

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:08 pm

My Sport CRD had skids, tow package, fog lights, sun roof, LSD, the works. My tranny has never gotten warm enough to turn on the light no matter what I was doing or pulling. Up, down makes no difference.

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:14 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

...and there is no tranny skid on any model...

That's funny, my 2005 had all the skids from teh factory. Engine/tranny/TC and Gas Tank.

nolakj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:16 pm

snowsport wrote:

My sport came from the factory with skid plates, bumper fog lights, tow package, cruise, air, selec-trak, trak-lok. I don't think there's a real difference in off-road capability between the models, just a matter of whether you want lights on the roof or leather seats or whatever.

Mine's an 03 though, so maybe there's a difference with the newer models. But one thing definitely for sure: Sports look cooler. :twisted:

Here Here!!

They're all good and you will be happy with which ever model you decide on. So hurry up and git yourself one!!

camper · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:23 pm

Quote:

... I am bias tho cuz I have a sport :lol:

I agree with krazz1e....and snowsport....

I crushed my rear bumper corner and later popped it back out....I've torn my fender flare off and picked it up from the muddy trail....plastic pop rivets put them right back on.....unpainted plastic is the way to go for minimizing trail damage....

trail rides beg for a suspension lift....fancy wheels are just gonna get bashed.....you'll want to swap out the tires anyway....a rear locker is better than the factory trac-loc....buy it clean and fix it the way you want....

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:25 pm

spoonplugger1 wrote:

My Sport CRD had skids, tow package, fog lights, sun roof, LSD, the works. My tranny has never gotten warm enough to turn on the light no matter what I was doing or pulling. Up, down makes no difference.

This might be because you might have a different trans (not sure which trans comes with the CRD). Everyone with a 42RLE(?) trans has had their trans light come on about 3/4 of the way up Old Stage Road here in Colorado Springs. Of course the climb is about 3500' in something like 10 miles of low speed switchbacks with short straight-a-ways causing the trans to be constantly shifting.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

Buy the vehicle you like for the reasons you like it. All are capable off-road vehicles and can be made even more capable. If you want really hard core abilities by a wrangler. Not to bash the KJ but there is just more aftermarket product available for the other Jeeps.

Don't stick a lot of money into DC options, there are better options available for the same price or less. If you can do your own work, even better.

I've never liked the Rene others love it. When I priced the sport with the things I wanted it was actually cheaper for me to buy the Limited. Saved enough to buy a new set of flares when I sell the KJ.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 3:54 pm

Pick the model that has the things that you won't be able to change later. Things like tires, skid plates, roof racks you can add as you go to any model. Fender flares, hood, option packages are harder to swap out.

Offroad capability!

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