How do you like your KK ?

Katmandu · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:58 am

I'm pondering moving up from my KJ to a KK.

Any previous KJ owners have a KK ?

How do you like yours ?

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:46 pm

I went straight from an XJ to the KK, skipping the KJ entirely... My ride is a lot more comfortable now! It's a completely different vehicle than the XJ, much more refined (but a half ton heavier), but with some similarities. It handles just as well as my old XJ in the snow. I haven't had a chance yet to test the off-road abilities of my KK. The XJ was bulletproof in that regard-- never got stuck on two-tracks through the woods. From what I know of the KJ, the KK has the same independent front suspension, same axles, and similar transfer case options (command trac or selec-trac, but with an electronic switch instead of manual shifter). The gas tank is moved to the center of the KK, eliminating the chance of rear-collision explosions, and the spare tire is under the rear end now. My KK seems to get 1-2 mpg better than the stock KJ's I see on here, but it's the same 3.7L V6 engine under the hood. The KK has all the safety equipment that my XJ lacked, like antilock brakes, traction control, and side airbags, all standard. Some of the earlier KJ's lacked these options. I like the boxier KK body style better than the KJ's because it's similar to my old XJ Cherokee. Overall I am very happy with my KK and am glad I got it! FYI, XJ's were 1984-2001, KJ's were 2002-2007, and KK's are 2008-2012. :JEEPIN:

KK_Canuck_Guy · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:09 pm

Hey....while I have never owned a KJ, I did test drive it before I settled on a KK so at least I can give you my opinions

I decided on the KK because in my opinion:
- I liked the KK styling better (both inside and esp outside)
- The KK seemed a lot smoother on road (it didn't bounce around on uneven surfaces as much)
- For me the price at the time was comparable for a newish KK to a 2 - 3 yr old KJ (through stupid dealership)

As for the KK, I now have over 100,000km's on it and I still love it. No regrets here (besides maybe gas consumption..but hey..its a jeep)

Smetna · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:44 pm

I drove a 2006 KJ for a year and a half. I liked it a lot. The only reason I traded it in was because of the absurd deal on a brand new KK.

The KK is quieter. Much quieter. It also has a higher quality interior IMO. (nicer steering wheel, shift knob, climate knobs, Stereo, instrument cluster)

The seats/comfort is similar. The performance is similar, although Jeep put in a better front and rear suspension and a better drive shaft.

I like the looks, inside and out, a lot more on the KK. It harkens back to the XJ, and I like that rugged box on wheels forest ranger look. The view from the drivers seat, looking over the thick leather wrapped wheel and the gear-shaped speedo and tach, out over that big flat hood gives me a sense of adventure and exploration. I like driving it.

I'm glad I got it, it's definitely an upgrade. I do wish that it had better ground clearance and a rear mounted spare, but that's why they make the wrangler.

E2 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:41 am

Love it

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:59 am

KK isn't nearly as sensitive at high speeds, it's a much easier drive, not as jumpy.
KK front suspension seems to be a bit beefier. No ball joint issues.
KK is quieter, much less engine and wind noise. If you've come to like hearing the 3.7L run, you can kiss that goodbye.
KJ is "The Liberty". More people will ask you what your Jeep is, even after all these years of KKs running around. Be prepared.
KJ has a better location for the spare tire, IMO. I hope I don't ever have a flat in the snow.
2002-2004 KJ seats are fairly similar in regards to comfort.
2005-2007 KJ seats are... like rocks compared to KK.
Both have similar driving positions.
Both attract rocks to the windshield.
Interior quality...ehh... KJ's interior had more soft touch surfaces. KK's interior, depending on trim, can be hard...very hard without a single soft place to put your elbow. I believe this was fixed in later years.

cybertron · **Joined:** Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:32 pm **Posts:** 72

Marlon_JBT wrote:

Interior quality...ehh... KJ's interior had more soft touch surfaces. KK's interior, depending on trim, can be hard...very hard without a single soft place to put your elbow. I believe this was fixed in later years.

They fixed the horrible steering wheel at some point (my dad's 2011 has a nice leather wrapped one), but the rest of the interior is almost identical, hard plastic and all. His is essentially equipped the same as mine (Sport, tow package, popular equipment group), so maybe the Limiteds are better. I don't find that the hard plastic bothers me much, but everyone's different when it comes to that.

I wish it had a little more modern powertrain and I wish mine didn't have intermittent keyfob issues in the winter, but overall I've been quite happy with it.

kayadog · **Posted:** Thu May 03, 2012 3:04 pm

I drove a 2005 KJ for 7 years and have had my 2010 KK for about a month but have a long commute so Ive put a bunch of miles on it.

Likes:
I like the look of the KK better than the KJ
Drives much nicer and quieter at highway speeds (70-80)
Nice stereo with satelite radio and aux. input for my iPhone
More room in back seat
Excellent fog lights
Seems to get a little better gas mileage but hard to compare since the KJ engine was tired
Already used the anti-lock brakes for a wet highway emergency stop. KJ w/o antilock brakes would have skidded
Much prefer the liftgate on the KK to the swing out KJ gate
KK seat fabric MUCH higher quality than KJ

Dislikes:
steering wheel cheap and uncomfortable to hold
hard surfaces on door hurt my elbow (this is a major complaint. I can't find a comfortable driving position)
driver's seat lumpy and uncomfortable but maybe it needs to break in to my shape. The KJ driver's seat sucked too.
4 speed transmission isn't terrible but more gears would make a big difference

Comments: I like it a lot on the road. No chance to off road it yet.

I can't believe they still but the crap Goodyear ST's on Lib's. The poor tires alone probably explain a lot of negative reviews.

I have no problem with the 3.7 other than the gas mileage. Its too bad they didn't put the 5 speed from the WK and new JK into the KK. I think it would have made a world of difference. A 5 speed tranny, decent tires, and a little more ground clearance would have made the KK more of a contender.

Finally, I have a 2010 WK Laredo X with the 3.7 and 5 speed. Other than lacking 4low it is all around a nicer vehicle. However, newer used KK's were around $4000 less than used WK's of similar age/condition and I'm happy with my purchase since I got a good deal on it.

remdawg · **Joined:** Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:05 pm **Posts:** 204

Good SUV for the money for sure. It's below the price point of a lot of others in the market and still very capable. My only real complaint is the lack of modding support and the slowww acceleration (my i4 Tacoma could beat this thing off the line no problem).

I'm not sure if mine is different from everyone else's but my left elbow is plenty comfortable against the door rest (in fact, when it gets hot out it actually gets really mooshy almost like memory foam).

I actually liked the looks of the KJ's swing gate and spare tire carrier style more than the lift gate on the KK but everything else about the newer model is better IMO.

kayadog · **Posted:** Thu May 03, 2012 7:52 pm

I'm tall so my left elbow naturally rests on the top of the door by the window which is hard plastic with a pretty sharp edge. The padding on the center console isn't great either.

Can't wait to get some real tires on it and get it on the beach.

cybertron · **Joined:** Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:32 pm **Posts:** 72

I've actually worn through that one tiny little soft patch on the arm rest. The spot where my elbow rests has basically no padding left now. :lol:

I'm tall too, so I also spend a lot of time with my elbow on the window sill. I've considered trying to add some padding to that area, but I'm not sure if I could make it look decent.

Marlon_JBT · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 12:40 pm

I feel for you guys with Sports.

Renegades and Limiteds have leather padded armrests.

... I didn't want a Limited.
... I didn't want a Sport for that very reason
Then came the Renegade...

MINE!!! :pepper:

How do you like your KK ?

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